AES Corp. Executive Departure: Bernerd Da Santos Leaves, Joins Fluence

What Happened AES Corporation filed an 8-K (dated September 16, 2026) announcing that Bernerd Da Santos, who had transitioned on April 16, 2026 to Chairman of the AES Clean Energy Board and Senior Strategic Advisor, departed employment effective September 14, 2026. Mr. Da Santos has accepted a position with Fluence Energy, Inc. as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. AES and Mr. Da Santos entered into a Separation Agreement dated September 14, 2026.

Key Details

• Departure effective date: September 14, 2026; 8-K filed September 16, 2026.
• New role: Mr. Da Santos will join Fluence Energy as EVP & COO.
• Severance: Under the Separation Agreement, he is entitled to involuntary severance per AES’s Executive Severance Plan, including (i) one times his annualized base salary plus annual target bonus for FY2026 and (ii) a pro‑rata FY2026 bonus (based on target), subject to his execution and non‑revocation of a release.
• Other items: He will receive applicable retirement benefits under company plans and has agreed to customary confidentiality, non‑solicitation, and non‑disparagement obligations. The full Separation Agreement will be filed as an exhibit to AES’s Form 10‑Q for the quarter ending Sept 30, 2026.

Why It Matters This 8-K documents a senior executive departure and the company’s agreed separation terms. For investors, the material points are the leadership change in AES Clean Energy-related roles, the confirmed new employer for the departing executive, and the financial/contractual cost and obligations tied to his departure (severance and retirement benefits). The detailed separation agreement will be available in the upcoming 10‑Q filing for anyone wanting the full legal and financial terms.