RCG expands business in Japan

Tokyo, Japan – Sector-specialist advisory firm, The Renewables Consulting Group (RCG), today announces the continued expansion of the firm’s business in Japan through new recruitment and a move to a larger office to accommodate future growth.

RCG has been highly active in the Japan renewable energy sector for over three years. The firm established an office in Tokyo in 2018.

RCG’s team of specialist engineers and management consultants have been working with both local developers and Japanese utilities, as well as international players on strategic topics, market assessment, and transaction related assignments. Of particular note, RCG has been providing owners’ engineer services on an advanced-stage offshore wind project, is serving as advisor to a confidential Government agency on their offshore wind programme, and recently provided technical due diligence (TDD) for the successful acquisition of a mixed wind and solar development platform for an institutional investor.

This week, Raizo Kobayashi joined RCG’s Tokyo office as an Associate. Mr Kobayashi has practical experience in data analytics, marine and terrestrial ecology, oceanography and hydrology. He is also practiced in working on environmental due diligence projects of a global scale.

Further local experts are lined up to join during the second half of 2020. RCG has plans to expand the Asia Pacific region team to ten people by the end of the trading year, through a combination of local experts, and experienced European offshore wind expatriates, who have either already relocated to Japan, or will do so when travel restrictions are eased.

To accommodate this planned growth, RCG this month also confirmed a larger office space in the Marunouchi district, which will serve as a base for our local team and provide space for clients and visitors from Europe.

Commenting on the news, Akio Hasegawa, RCG Director and General Manager for Japan said:

“We are tremendously pleased to welcome Raizo to the Tokyo team. We have already provided advisory services for numerous Japanese offshore wind projects since last year and we strongly believe that his joining RCG will accelerate further business expansion in Japan’s renewables market.” – Akio Hasegawa, Director, Tokyo.

Dr Steve Freeman, RCG Director and Deputy General Manager, Tokyo office, continued:

“We are seeing continued growth in Asia Pacific for offshore wind, and it is testament to the great work of the whole RCG team that we continue to be able to recruit, despite the current climate. Raizo brings a great balance of environmental and marine experience to the team, which is essential for the current development phase of the Japan offshore wind market.” – Dr. Steve Freeman, Director, Tokyo.

It is widely expected that Japan will issue new rules shortly and support infrastructure that will result in large-scale offshore wind development at multiple sites during the next decade. This follows on from the passing of the Offshore Wind Promotion Act last year.

RCG’s continued growth means the firm is able to put an experienced team – including senior personnel – on any renewable energy engagement in Japan and the broader Asia Pacific region.

Raizo Kobayashi, the latest recruit to The Renewables Consulting Group’s Tokyo office.