AES Corp executive Da Santos exits for Fluence role

Q: What executive change did AES (AES) announce on September 14, 2026?

AES announced that Bernerd Da Santos will depart the company and his employment terminated effective September 14, 2026. He had been serving as Chairman of the AES Clean Energy Board and Senior Strategic Advisor to the President after previously holding executive roles at AES.

Q: What new role is former AES executive Bernerd Da Santos taking after his departure from AES (AES)?

Bernerd Da Santos has accepted a position with Fluence Energy, Inc. to serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, following the termination of his employment with AES effective September 14, 2026.

Q: Are there any conditions attached to the severance benefits for Bernerd Da Santos from AES (AES)?

Yes. Payment of severance benefits is subject to his execution and non-revocation of a release. He has also agreed to confidentiality, non-solicitation, and non-disparagement obligations under the Separation Agreement.

Q: Where can investors find the full Separation Agreement for the departing AES (AES) executive?

AES states that the full text of the Separation Agreement with Bernerd Da Santos will be filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ending September 30, 2026.

AES CORP discloses the September 14, 2026 departure of senior executive Bernerd Da Santos and outlines his severance and related obligations under a Separation Agreement.

Filing Impact

(High)

Filing Sentiment

(Neutral)

Form Type

8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

AES CORP (AES) reports that Bernerd Da Santos, previously Executive Vice President and President of US & Renewables and more recently Chairman of the AES Clean Energy Board and Senior Strategic Advisor, has terminated his employment with AES effective September 14, 2026, after accepting an executive role at Fluence Energy, Inc.

AES entered into a Separation Agreement with Mr. Da Santos on September 14, 2026, under which he will receive involuntary severance pay in accordance with The AES Corporation Amended and Restated Executive Severance Plan, including a severance payment equal to one times his annualized base salary plus annual target bonus for fiscal year 2026 and a pro-rata 2026 bonus at target performance, subject to his execution and non-revocation of a release. He will also receive applicable retirement benefits, and has agreed to confidentiality, non-solicitation, and non-disparagement obligations.

Filing Explained

The 8-K summarizes the September 14 separation agreement, but the agreement’s full text is not included here; AES says it will file the exhibit with its Form 10-Q for the quarter ending September 30, 2026.

8-K Event Classification

Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers

1 item

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers Governance

Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.

Key Figures

Employment termination date: September 14, 2026 Separation Agreement date: September 14, 2026 Severance multiple: 1x base salary plus annual target bonus

3 metrics

Employment termination date September 14, 2026 Date Bernerd Da Santos’ employment with AES terminated

Separation Agreement date September 14, 2026 Date AES and Bernerd Da Santos entered into the Separation Agreement

Severance multiple 1x base salary plus annual target bonus Severance payment formula for fiscal year 2026 under the Executive Severance Plan

Key Terms

Separation Agreement, involuntary severance pay, Executive Severance Plan, non-solicitation, +1 more

5 terms

Separation Agreement regulatory

"the Company entered into a Separation Agreement (the “Separation Agreement”) with him"

A separation agreement is a written contract that spells out the financial and legal terms when an employee and a company part ways, such as final pay, severance, continued benefits, confidentiality, and any release of claims. For investors, it matters because these agreements determine immediate costs, potential future liabilities, and whether departing staff are restricted from competing or disclosing information—factors that can affect a company’s cash flow, risk profile, and leadership continuity.

involuntary severance pay financial

"entitled to receive involuntary severance pay in accordance with The AES Corporation"

Executive Severance Plan financial

"in accordance with The AES Corporation Amended and Restated Executive Severance Plan"

non-solicitation regulatory

"agreed to customary confidentiality, non-solicitation, and non-disparagement obligations"

A non-solicitation clause is a contractual promise that one party will not actively try to lure away another party’s employees, customers, or suppliers. For investors, it signals protection of a company’s workforce and client base after a deal or partnership—reducing the risk that key staff or revenue sources will be poached and therefore helping preserve the business’s value, predictability, and post-transaction earnings. Think of it as an agreement not to knock on a neighbor’s door to take their business or team.

non-disparagement regulatory

"customary confidentiality, non-solicitation, and non-disparagement obligations"

A non-disparagement provision is a promise in an agreement that one party will not make negative public statements about the other, like a vow to avoid “badmouthing” a business or its leaders. Investors care because such promises protect reputation and can limit public criticism that might affect a company’s stock price, signal unresolved disputes, or introduce legal risk if enforcement leads to further costs or constrained disclosure.

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What executive change did AES (AES) announce on September 14, 2026?

AES announced that Bernerd Da Santos will depart the company and his employment terminated effective September 14, 2026. He had been serving as Chairman of the AES Clean Energy Board and Senior Strategic Advisor to the President after previously holding executive roles at AES.

What new role is former AES executive Bernerd Da Santos taking after his departure from AES (AES)?

Bernerd Da Santos has accepted a position with Fluence Energy, Inc. to serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, following the termination of his employment with AES effective September 14, 2026.

What severance will Bernerd Da Santos receive from AES (AES)?

Under the Separation Agreement and the AES Executive Severance Plan, Bernerd Da Santos will receive involuntary severance pay including a severance payment equal to one times his annualized base salary plus annual target bonus for fiscal year 2026 and a pro-rata 2026 bonus at target performance, subject to a release.

Are there any conditions attached to the severance benefits for Bernerd Da Santos from AES (AES)?

Yes. Payment of severance benefits is subject to his execution and non-revocation of a release. He has also agreed to confidentiality, non-solicitation, and non-disparagement obligations under the Separation Agreement.

Will Bernerd Da Santos receive retirement benefits from AES (AES)?

Yes. AES states that, consistent with the company’s plans and arrangements, Bernerd Da Santos will receive applicable retirement benefits and payments as provided in those plans in addition to the severance described in the Separation Agreement.

Where can investors find the full Separation Agreement for the departing AES (AES) executive?

AES states that the full text of the Separation Agreement with Bernerd Da Santos will be filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ending September 30, 2026.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Available on EDGAR 09/16/2026 - 04:20 PM Accepted by SEC EDGAR 09/16/2026 - 04:19 PM

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

FORM 8-K

_______________________________________________________________

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): September 14, 2026

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

THE AES CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Delaware

001-12291

54-1163725

(State of Incorporation)

(Commission File No.)

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

4300 Wilson Boulevard

Arlington, VA 22203

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(703) 522-1315

NOT APPLICABLE

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:


☐			Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)


☐			Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)


☐			Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))


☐			Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share	AES	New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).


Emerging growth company			☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SECTION 5 - CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

As previously disclosed, effective April 16, 2026, Bernerd Da Santos transitioned from his role as Executive Vice President and President of US & Renewables of The AES Corporation (the “Company” or “AES”) to Chairman of the AES Clean Energy Board and Senior Strategic Advisor to the President of the Company. On September 14, 2026, the Company and Mr. Da Santos determined that Mr. Da Santos would depart from such position and his employment with the Company would terminate effective September 14, 2026. Mr. Da Santos has accepted a position with Fluence Energy, Inc. to serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

In connection with Mr. Da Santos’ departure, the Company entered into a Separation Agreement (the “Separation Agreement”) with him, dated September 14, 2026. Under the terms and conditions of the Separation Agreement, Mr. Da Santos will be entitled to receive involuntary severance pay in accordance with The AES Corporation Amended and Restated Executive Severance Plan (the “Severance Plan”), subject to his execution and non-revocation of a release (the “Release”), including a severance payment equal to (i) one times his annualized base salary plus annual target bonus for fiscal year 2026 and (ii) a pro-rata bonus for fiscal year 2026 (based on a target level of performance). In accordance with the Company’s plans and arrangements, he will also receive applicable retirement benefits and payments as provided in such plans and arrangements. Pursuant to the terms of the Separation Agreement, Mr. Da Santos has also agreed to customary confidentiality, non-solicitation, and non-disparagement obligations.

The above description of the Separation Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Separation Agreement, a copy of which will be filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ending September 30, 2026.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.



			THE AES CORPORATION

Date:	September 16, 2026	By:	/s/ Paul L. Freedman
		Name:	Paul L. Freedman
		Title:	Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Source: View Original Filing on SEC EDGAR

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

3 documents

AES Corp executive Da Santos exits for Fluence role

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

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