Johannesburg-based company Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Africa, which is constructing boilers for State-owned power utility Eskom’s new Medupi and Kusile power stations, announced a revised top structure, including a new executive chairperson and a new chief executive.

The changes, announced by Takato Nishizawa, president and CEO of Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, the Japanese parent company of Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Africa, took effect earlier this month.

Eitaro Takayama became executive chairperson, replacing Colin Bailey, who held the positions of chairperson and acting CEO. The company states that Bailey decided to step down and return to the UK.

Meanwhile Toshinori Shigenaka took over as CEO. Hirosumi Sometani became chief commercial officer, while Shiro Ishise became projects executive director. Takayama was previously senior GM for plant construction in the company’s engineering headquarters.

Shigenaka was executive officer at the company’s Japan-based Kure Works, in Hiroshima. Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Africa was formed in February, through integration of the global thermal power generation systems businesses of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Hitachi.

The South African subsidiary took over the Medupi and Kusile boiler contracts awarded to Hitachi. The company’s Japan-based parent company became the majority shareholder in the South African operation in October, acquiring the 75% shareholding previously held by Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Europe. The remaining 25% is held by black economic-empowerment company Kagosano MPC.

Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Africa says that, with world-class technologies, it aims to become the dominant thermal power business in Africa, providing and servicing gas and coal-fired power plants and their components, including turbines, generators and boilers.