NEW CEO AND CFO TAKE OFFICE
Today marks the start of our new CEO and CFO, Jan Willem van Hoogstraten and Marieke Bolhaar. Together, they form the Executive Board of NEO NL. They are appointed for a term of four years. With their extensive experience in strategic leadership, the energy sector, and financial management, they will strengthen NEO NL in a crucial phase of further growth and development.
Van Hoogstraten succeeds interim CEO Jaap Eikelboom, who, as founding lead, has used his vision and dedication to build the solid foundation upon which NEO NL can continue to grow.
The primary responsibilities of the CEO and CFO are to further develop the organisation, shape and implement the strategic direction, and safeguard the public interest, including safety and community integration. NEO NL accomplishes this in close collaboration with the government, market participants, and other stakeholders. This way, NEO NL works to ensure a long term reliable and affordable energy supply.
Jo-Annes de Bat, State Secretary for Climate and Green Growth at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, commented on the appointment: “We face major energy challenges in the Netherlands, both in terms of the energy transition and energy supply. With NEO NL , we NEO NL an organisation can help advance our ambitions in the field of nuclear energy, drawing on knowledge and expertise. I look forward to working with the board and the organisation NEO NL energy for the future of the Netherlands.”
Jan Willem van Hoogstraten, CEO
Van Hoogstraten has more than 35 years of international experience in the energy sector. From 2016 to 2026, he served as CEO of Energie Beheer Nederland (EBN), where he was responsible for implementing aspects of Dutch energy and climate policy, including CO₂ storage, geothermal energy, and energy infrastructure. In that role, he led the development of large-scale projects such as Aramis and contributed to the development of the national gas reserve. Previously, he held management positions at TAQA, Wintershall, and Shell. He studied Mining & Petroleum Engineering at Delft University of Technology.
“As the new CEO of NEO NL, I want to contribute to a reliable, affordable, and low-carbon energy supply for the Netherlands, with a focus on energy security and independence. In a world where geopolitical tensions directly impact our energy supply, this is not a luxury but a necessity. For me, new nuclear power plants are an important means of strengthening our energy supply and making the Netherlands more resilient and less dependent on fossil fuels.”
Marieke Bolhaar, CFO
Bolhaar has extensive experience in finance and operations within the energy sector. She served as Director of Flex Operations at Eneco, where she was responsible for the financial and operational performance of energy infrastructure, including gas-fired power plants, local heat sources, industrial heating solutions, and storage. Previously, she held management positions at Eneco in the field of heat transition and was responsible for the development of large-scale projects such as WarmtelinQ. She earned her Master’s degree in Accountancy from Nyenrode Business University and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
“I look forward to contributing to the development of nuclear energy as part of a reliable, affordable, and low-carbon energy supply in the Netherlands. Together with colleagues, partners, and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, we are taking the next steps in this development. In my role as CFO, I contribute both substantively and financially to creating the conditions necessary to give nuclear energy a full-fledged place in our future energy supply.”
About NEO NL
NEO NL was established on February 16, 2026. It is a state-owned company with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy as its sole shareholder. Within the framework set by the government, NEO NL is responsible for the construction of two nuclear power plants at a single site, each with a capacity of at least 1,000 megawatts (MW).
The government determines where the power plants will be built. The process of selecting a location is still underway. In the meantime, NEO NL is making preparations for the selection of the builder. Once the final location has been chosen (formally: Voorkeursbeslissing), NEO NL will take over further planning and activities surrounding the location from the government.
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Appointment announcement from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy: Jan Willem van Hoogstraten and Marieke Bolhaar have been appointed CEO and CFO of NEO NL
