Space Solar, the global leader in space-based solar power, has announced the appointment of Jonty Shepard as Non-Executive Director. Having developed and led BP’s global LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) trading and origination business over the last 17 years, Shepard brings unparalleled expertise in shaping energy markets and commodities to Space Solar’s board at a critical juncture in the global energy transition.
Shepard joined BP in 1992, working in various upstream and corporate roles in Asia, Africa and Europe, before becoming Global Head of LNG in 2006. Here, he oversaw a fleet of 35 LNG carriers; regas capacity in the UK, Spain and Italy; equity LNG from Trinidad and Tobago, Egypt and Australia’s North West Shelf; and merchant supply including Freeport, Coral and Oman.
He was named Director of the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) upon its formation in 2001 and received the World LNG Executive Award in 2024. Shepard is also joining Caturus (Kimmeridge’s LNG & gas unit) as a Non-Executive Director at the start of 2026, following his departure from BP at the end of 2024.
Under Shepard’s leadership, BP’s LNG business grew to become a market leader in the industry, establishing the company as a major player in global energy markets. His deep understanding of energy system challenges and market dynamics positions him perfectly to guide Space Solar as it develops solutions to address the energy demand and grid congestion issues facing the energy market.
As a Non-Executive Director, Shepard will provide strategic guidance on energy market positioning and commercial development, as Space Solar works to establish space-based solar power as a flexible, reliable and cost-effective solution for the global energy transition. His appointment comes as the company continues to accelerate its plans to demonstrate the commercial viability of space-based solar power technology.
Sam Adlen, Co-CEO, Space Solar: “We are absolutely delighted to have Jonty join the Space Solar board. With his deep expertise building major new businesses and revenue streams within the energy sector, he will help us accelerate our development as a transformational energy business. The world’s energy demand is expected to quadruple over the next 25 years, and it is fantastic that energy sector leaders like Jonty recognise the huge potential of space-based solar power to deliver energy security and abundance, given its unique attributes of 24/7 reliability, good energy density and incredible scalability. We warmly welcome Jonty to the board and we are excited to be working together to deliver this transformational new energy source for the world.”
Jonty Shepard, Non-Executive Director, Space Solar: “I believe that Space Solar could address many of the challenges associated with the energy transition to a low carbon future, specifically providing flexible, affordable and clean energy whilst resolving the challenges of intermittency and grid congestion that existing renewables present. We are at an exciting point in the development of humankind with new technologies developing rapidly, and this is going to rapidly increase energy demand which needs to be supplied in a sustainable way. Space Solar can do this.”