MEMBER NEWS: ORE Catapult appoints technical chief

November 19, 2021
MEMBER NEWS: ORE Catapult appoints technical chief

Courtesy of reNews.

Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult has appointed Cristina Garcia-Duffy, as technical director and a member of its executive management team.

Working with colleagues across the business, she will lead the strategic development of the Catapult’s technical capabilities and new areas of innovation, taking up the role in February 2022.

Commenting on the appointment, ORE Catapult Chief Executive Andrew Jamieson said: “Cristina’s extensive experience working at the forefront of the aerospace industry will bring new insight and fresh thinking to ORE Catapult, supporting our teams in the delivery of world-class engineering, and to our industry and academic partners as we collaboratively develop the next generation of renewable energy technologies.”

Garcia-Duffy said: “The offshore renewables market is set to undergo unprecedented growth in the next decade, and for the UK to hold a leading position will require the sector to work together with a shared vision.

“I see ORE Catapult as an essential enabler in that effort – delivering on world-leading research programmes and continuing to grow best-in-kind capabilities for our clients. I am thrilled to be joining at such a vibrant time and I look forward to working with the Catapult team to help make our vision happen.”

Garcia-Duffy is current head of technology – sustainability and strategy at the Aerospace Technology Institute.

Meanwhile, applications are now open for UK innovators to join the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult’s industry-backed national technology accelerator programme, designed to support the commercialisation of new technologies that will enhance the UK’s offshore wind supply chain, enabling greater UK content, whilst supporting cost reduction.

The Launch Academy initiative focuses on near-to-market solutions and is supported by nine industrial and business support specialists including ScottishPower Renewables, BP, Barclays Eagle Labs and investment body Green Angel Syndicate.

Scottish Enterprise is also providing £60,000 in funding for the project.

At the end of the programme, the innovators will pitch to industry partners and the Catapult’s network of investors with the aim of securing investment and a route to market for their products.

Read the article on the ReNews website here.

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.

Contact Us
“

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