Fluence Energy, Inc. announced the appointment of Bernerd Da Santos as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, effective September 15, 2026. Mr. Da Santos, age 62, most recently served as Chairman of the AES Clean Energy Board and Senior Strategic Advisor to the President of The AES Corporation from April to September 2026. Prior to this, he held multiple leadership roles at AES, including Executive Vice President and President of the Renewables Strategic Business Unit from 2023 to 2026 and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from 2017 to 2023.
In connection with his appointment, Mr. Da Santos entered into an offer letter with Fluence. His initial annual base salary is set at $650,000, with a target annual cash bonus opportunity of 100% of his base salary for fiscal year 2027. He is also receiving a sign-on cash bonus of $700,000, provided with his October 2026 paycheck, subject to continued employment. Additionally, he is eligible for an annual long-term incentive award with a minimum grant value of $1,500,000 and a one-time grant of restricted stock units valued at $700,000, both expected in December 2026.
The filing also details the departure of Peter Williams, the Company’s Senior Vice President and Chief Product Officer, whose employment was terminated effective September 11, 2026. Concurrently, AES Grid Stability requested that Mr. Da Santos be succeeded by Stephen Coughlin, who was appointed to the Board of Directors on September 15, 2026, to fill the vacancy left by Mr. Da Santos.
Separately, the Company issued a press release revising its fiscal year 2026 guidance due to continuing supply chain issues affecting its U.S. production. Fluence now expects revenue of approximately $2.4 billion, down from a prior midpoint of approximately $3.0 billion. The Company also anticipates an Adjusted EBITDA loss of approximately $200.0 million, compared to a prior guidance midpoint of a loss of approximately $10.0 million. The Company cited delays in the ramp-up of its contract manufacturing facility in Houston as the primary reason for the reduction in guidance.
