The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult has announced the appointment of Iberdrola’s Offshore Managing Director Jonathan Cole as Chairman of its Industry Advisory Group.
The Industry Advisory Group (IAG) is made up of senior representation drawn from across the offshore renewables sector, including utilities, manufacturers, supply chain and marine organisations. It provides clear, consistent and representative industry advice to ORE Catapult, which was established to help the UK seize the opportunity to lead the world in offshore wind, wave and tidal energy production. It helps the Catapult identify critical areas where innovative approaches and technological development can accelerate industry to deliver at a lower risk and cost.
Mr Cole, a qualified solicitor who joined ScottishPower after several years as part of a large energy practice advising major energy companies, became the Managing Director for Iberdrola’s offshore wind business in July 2011. He leads the development, supply chain, construction, operation and maintenance of Iberdrola’s worldwide offshore portfolio from its global headquarters in Glasgow. Jonathan is currently responsible for projects including West of Duddon Sands and East Anglia ONE, as well as the Wikinger project in Germany and Saint Brieuc in France. In 2012, he was appointed to the Offshore Wind Programme Board to lead its Operations & Maintenance Workgroup.
Andrew Jamieson, Chief Executive of ORE Catapult, said: “I welcome Jonathan’s appointment to the role of Chairman of our IAG. The IAG, along with our Research Advisory Group, is integral to the way ORE Catapult operates and plays a vital role in helping us to identify the major challenges to the development of more affordable energy from offshore renewable resources.
“Jonathan’s years of experience in the energy sector, coupled with the high regard in which he is held throughout the industry, will be crucial in helping to grow ORE Catapult’s reputation and in allowing the IAG to continue to drive ORE Catapult’s innovation efforts, ensuring we are focusing on the right things at the right time to make the industry more cost competitive.”
Jonathan Cole said: “This is a critical time for the development of offshore wind in the UK as we begin the process of developing larger, more challenging projects. Across the industry we have seen a great deal of innovation in the development and delivery of offshore wind projects, and this process will continue as we seek to reduce costs and make projects as efficient as possible. I am looking forward to taking on the role of Chairman of the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult Industry Advisory Group at this important time for the sector, and continuing the excellent work that ORE Catapult has been part of in recent years.”