A senior Iberdrola executive has been appointed to chair an advisory group helping to shape the UK’s future offshore renewables strategy.
Jonathan Cole will lead for the established green energy industry in providing advice to the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (Orec), the UK’s flagship technology and innovation research centre for wind, wave and tidal power.
The role of the industry advisory group is to help Orec identify critical areas where innovation and technological development can help the sector progress and, crucially, lower costs.
Mr Cole, a qualified solicitor who joined ScottishPower after several years as part of a large energy practice, became the managing director for Iberdrola’s offshore wind business in July 2011.
In his day job, Mr Cole leads on Iberdrola’s worldwide offshore portfolio from its global headquarters in Glasgow, including responsibility for heading up the West of Duddon Sands and East Anglia One arrays.
“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,” said Mr Cole.
“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.
Orec chief executive Andrew Jamieson said: “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.”