Former Chilean energy minister joins Vestas (Denmark)

Vestas has appointed Mr. Marcelo Tokman Ramos, the former Chilean Energy Minister, as Head of Government Relations for Vestas in Latin America and the Caribbean.

In addition, Mr. Tokman will become Regional Director for the Vestas business in South America (excluding Brazil). He will take over his responsibilities in August this year. This appointment directly supports Vestas’ strategy to promote wind energy and develop new business opportunities in Latin America.

Mr. Tokman has more than 15 years experience in government relations at the Chilean Ministries of Energy and Treasury as well as top-level international relations experience in Central and South America. In his position as Minister of Energy, Mr. Tokman was committed to developing instruments and policies supporting the integration of sustainable, clean, and indigenous energy sources – such as wind – which can help to reduce the dependence of many Latin American countries on imported fuels and to improve their energy supply.

As Head of Government Relations in Latin America and the Caribbean, Mr. Tokman will play a central role in promoting wind energy and advising key stakeholders on the integration of wind energy in the region’s energy mix. He will also assist the relevant public policy authorities to develop the necessary measures to establish stable and sustainable regulatory energy frameworks.

In his position as Regional Director for the Vestas business in South America (excluding Brazil), Mr. Tokman will be responsible for Vestas sales, operations and service activities as well as for developing new business opportunities in this region.

Juan Araluce, President, Vestas Mediterranean, states: “Mr. Tokman’s vast knowledge and experience with the legal, economic and governmental systems in Latin America and the energy sector will be a great asset to enhance the development of wind in the region. We are very pleased that Mr. Tokman has accepted the important mission of helping Vestas to make our vision, Wind, Oil and Gas, a reality in Latin America.”

Mr. Tokman, Head of Government Relations, Vestas Latin America and Regional Director for Vestas in South America, emphasizes: “Wind is clean, competitive, predictable, independent and fast to ramp up. In addition, it creates local high quality jobs and develops local competencies. Latin America is a region with excellent wind resources, ready to be harnessed, where wind can make a difference in diversifying the energy mix and supporting local economic development. Therefore, it is a pleasure for me to join Vestas, the world’s leading wind energy company, and to take an active role in supporting the development of the wind industry in Latin America”.

Vestas in Latin America

Vestas has been present in Latin America since 1990. As per 31 December 2009, Vestas had delivered a total capacity of more than 430 MW to Latin American countries. Currently, Vestas has established sales offices in Argentina and Brazil.

Vestas employs today 50 people in Latin America and plays an active role in establishing a supply chain of local sub-suppliers delivering products and services at the different phases of the development of a wind power plant and creating local high-quality green jobs in the region.

Vestas Mediterranean

Vestas Mediterranean is one of seven Sales Business Units in the Vestas Group. It manages all sales, construction and service operations in the countries of the Mediterranean area, Middle East, Latin America, the Caribbean as well as approximately 70 per cent of the African continent. As of 31 December 2009, this Sales Business Unit delivered a cumulative capacity of 8,569 MW and had a workforce of 2,900 highly skilled and fully committed employees in the Mediterranean region, including four production capabilities in Italy and Spain.

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Source: vestas, July 09, 2010;