AREG signs MoU to share learnings with US offshore wind organisation

April 9, 2018
AREG signs MoU to share learnings with US offshore wind organisation

The Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Business Network for Offshore Wind (the Network) in the United States.

The agreement, which was signed at the International Offshore Wind Partnering Forum (IPF) in Princeton on Wednesday (April 4), will see the organisations collaborate in pursuit of mutual commercial, strategic and policy interests in promoting the offshore wind industry in the U.S. and the UK.

Jean Morrison, chair of AREG said: “We know there is a drive in the U.S. to increase activity in offshore wind which means exciting business opportunities for U.S. and UK companies to work together to deliver these ambitions. With Scotland a leader in renewable energy, AREG is well placed to provide the skills and expertise required and I’m sure this partnership with the Network will bring huge benefits to businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.”

“We are thrilled to be teaming up with the Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group, which has done so much to make the UK an international leader in offshore wind,” added Liz Burdock, Executive Director of the Network. “We look forward to working closely with the AREG team on offshore wind supply chains, workforce development, and floating turbines, to name just a few of the opportunities we have for sharing and collaboration in both countries.”

Speaking from the Offshore Wind Partnering Forum, the Scottish Government’s Economy Secretary Keith Brown MSP said: “Scotland has huge offshore wind potential and some very exciting and innovative developments already taking place.

“With global offshore wind expenditure expected to reach £210 billion in the next decade, this partnership offers fantastic potential for the Scottish supply chain to strengthen its presence in international markets and take full advantage of the growing export opportunity within the sector.”

The Network and AREG will work together to develop strategies, share access to government and business leaders in the U.S. and UK, advocate for international partnerships, and shape offshore wind policy in the two countries. Some specific actions could include the following:

  • Host delegations (strategic / policy / trade) from each other’s memberships and networks to further objectives around learning and commercial opportunities
  • Attend each other’s promotional activity and events / conferences, where practical to do so.  ‘Virtual’ attendance via video-conferencing will also be considered
  • Facilitate introductions to networks and other international contacts in the sector
  • Participate in quarterly conference calls to update each other’s organisations on latest project commitments and strategic developments, including on renewables / wind policy

This MOU will run for three years, at which point a joint review will be undertaken by the directors into its effectiveness in achieving its objectives.

 

Photo:

Back (L-R) John Best of James Fisher Marine Services; Andrew Thompson of Atkins; Ross Tyler, Strategy and Development Officer of BNOW; and Una Brosnan of Atkins.

Front (L-R) Morag McCorkindale of AREG, Keith Brown MSP, Scottish Government’s Economy Secretary and Liz Burdock, Chief Executive of BNOW.

Get in touch

AREG is the original energy transition organisation, working on behalf of members to empower the energy supply chain and champion its expertise. Please get in touch if you have any questions or would like to find out more about membership.

AREG has played an important role in the growth of Scotland’s renewable energy sector, engaging the supply chain and developing the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre. However, we are only at the very beginning of the transition that AREG was established to both lead and support so there are still opportunities for companies to get into the constantly evolving renewables supply chain. We look forward to continuing our work together as renewables builds on its place as Scotland’s main source of power, and as we seek to deliver real change in the crucial areas of heat and transport.

Scottish Renewables

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce has worked closely with AREG since its formation. The recent progress in the developments of offshore wind projects by Equinor and Vattenfall are as a result of the work of the group over many years. The north-east is known as the oil and gas capital of Europe. At the Chamber, we believe the region must evolve its position to being recognised as the energy capital. Whilst hydrocarbons will continue to be essential in driving our economy for years to come, the generation of renewable resources will play an increasingly important role in providing cost-effective power, innovative development and economic growth.

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce

The enthusiasm and dedication of the early group that would become AREG was fundamental in us choosing to launch All-Energy in Aberdeen. The first tiny show was held in 2001, and AREG’s Chairman at the time, Jeremy Cresswell, played such an active role that I often describe him in terms such as All-Energy’s ‘midwife’. All-Energy is now the UK’s largest renewable and low carbon energy exhibition and conference in terms of number of attendees, space booked, and number of exhibiting companies. As AREG became firmly established, their presence and support for the event grew spectacularly over the years. We thank them most sincerely for their invaluable input.

All-Energy

Vattenfall has forged a strong working relationship with AREG through the development of the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre. AREG has worked tirelessly on behalf of the North East and it can take enormous credit for the growth of sustainable energy in the region and the path it has cleared for the region to capture further investment.

Vattenfall

Aberdeen City and Shire is emerging as a key location for renewables by successfully transferring its world-class oil and gas expertise into the sector and AREG has done much to advance this through a broad range of initiatives. It has acted as a catalyst in driving further investment in the local economy by engaging with companies, Government, public bodies and existing projects and we have been pleased to support their efforts. Scottish Enterprise will continue to engage with AREG as we increase Scotland’s use of renewable energy.

Scottish Enterprise