An addition to Hitachi Energy’s Executive Team
James Zhao will join Hitachi Energy’s Executive Team, bringing extensive electrification and industry expertise and deep knowledge of power grids in China.
Mr James Zhao (Image credit: Hitachi Energy)
Switzerland, Zürich: Hitachi Energy appointed James Zhao as Executive Vice President and Region Head Greater China. He will start in this role on July 1, 2024, after the retirement of Jinquan Zhang, the current Region Head Greater China, who served for nearly 30 years.
With the acceleration of its social and economic development under the “dual carbon” goal in China, growth in electricity demand was 6.4% during the past year, compared to the global growth of 2.2%. Zhao will lead China, in line with the Hitachi Energy 2030 growth plan that has a focus on strengthening the core, doubling efforts on digital and services, expanding at the edge of the energy system and innovation, synergies and partnerships.
“Our focus on people and innovation is vital for our continued capacity expansion in China and globally, and James’ role as Region Head will be instrumental, as we continue supporting our customers and partners to advance the world’s energy system to be more sustainable, flexible and secure”, said Claudio Facchin, CEO of Hitachi Energy.
“I am very pleased that James Zhao will be joining our Hitachi Energy Executive Team with his strong electrification and industry expertise, but also deep knowledge of power grids in China”, said Alistair Dormer, Chair of Hitachi Energy and Executive Vice President, Executive Officer and General Manager of Green Energy & Mobility Strategy Planning Division, Hitachi, Ltd.
Zhao has been the Local Division Manager of ABB’s Electrification business for three years. He priorly held various senior management roles in ABB’s Electrification business, in ABB’s Power Grids business and worked with business operations, and in marketing and sales. He has extensive experience in building go-to-market partnerships and working with utilities, industry, building, and transport sectors in China. He has experience in transformers, medium-voltage switchgear, and high-voltage products.
Source: Hitachi Energy