Pathways
Offshore wind energy projects demand a diverse range of expertise, encompassing technical, non-technical, and support roles. Below is an overview of the typical profiles that are essential across various companies within the offshore wind industry:
Technical roles
👩💻 Engineering (e.g. Mechanical, Electrical, Civil)
📋 Role: Engineers in offshore wind are involved in designing, developing, and optimizing wind turbines and related infrastructure. They work on everything from turbine blade design to electrical systems, and the structural integrity of offshore platforms.
🎓 Education/Training: Typically requires a bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering (e.g., Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, or Renewable Energy Engineering). Advanced roles may require specialized training in wind energy technology or experience in the offshore environment.
Non-technical roles
👩💼 Project management
📋 Role: Project managers oversee the planning, execution, and completion of offshore wind projects. They coordinate between various teams, manage budgets, timelines, and ensure projects meet regulatory requirements and quality standards.
🎓 Education/Training: Requires a degree in engineering, business administration, or project management. Professional certifications like PMP (Project Management Professional) are advantageous, along with experience in the energy sector.
Support and administrative roles
❤️ Human Resources
📋 Role: HR professionals in offshore wind handle recruitment, training, employee relations, and compliance with labor laws. They play a critical role in building and maintaining a skilled workforce.
🎓 Education/Training: Typically requires a degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field. Professional HR certifications (e.g., SHRM-CP) and experience in the energy sector can be advantageous.
Technical roles
👷♀️ Technicians (e.g. Wind Turbine Technicians)
📋 Role: Wind turbine technicians are responsible for the installation, maintenance, and repair of wind turbines. They often work at great heights and in challenging offshore conditions to ensure turbines are operational and safe.
🎓 Education/Training: Requires a vocational degree or certificate in wind turbine technology or a related field. Completion of GWO (Global Wind Organisation) Basic Safety Training is mandatory. Apprenticeships and on-the-job training are common.
Non-technical roles
🐠 Environmental science and compliance
📋 Role: Environmental scientists and compliance officers ensure that offshore wind projects adhere to environmental regulations and sustainability goals. They conduct impact assessments, monitor environmental data, and work to minimize the ecological footprint of wind farms.
🎓 Education/Training: Typically requires a degree in environmental science, marine biology, or a related field. Knowledge of environmental regulations and experience with environmental impact assessments (EIAs) is crucial.
Support and administrative roles
👩⚖️ Finance and legal
📋 Role: Finance and legal professionals manage the financial aspects and legal compliance of offshore wind projects. They handle budgeting, contracts, investment strategies, and ensure projects meet regulatory and contractual obligations.
🎓 Education/Training: Requires a degree in finance, accounting, law, or business administration. Legal professionals typically need a law degree and specialization in energy law or maritime law, while finance roles may benefit from CPA or CFA certifications.
Technical roles
🧑🔧 Operations and Maintenance
📋 Role: O&M professionals ensure that offshore wind farms are operating efficiently and safely. This includes regular inspections, troubleshooting issues, and implementing upgrades or repairs as needed.
🎓 Education/Training: Typically requires a background in engineering or technical fields, often with specific training in renewable energy systems. Practical experience and certifications such as GWO Basic Maintenance Training are beneficial.
Non-technical roles
🦺 Health and safety
📋 Role: Health and safety professionals are responsible for ensuring the safety of personnel working on offshore wind farms. They develop safety protocols, conduct risk assessments, and ensure compliance with industry standards.
🎓 Education/Training: Requires a background in occupational health and safety, often with specific training in offshore safety standards (e.g., NEBOSH certification). GWO certifications in safety and first aid are also essential.
Company ecosystem
👩💼 Project Developers
☑️ Role: Project developers are responsible for identifying potential sites, securing permits, and managing the overall development of offshore wind farms from concept to completion.
🎯 Key Activities: Site selection, environmental assessments, securing financing, obtaining regulatory approvals, stakeholder engagement, and overseeing construction.
📌 Examples: Ørsted, Iberdrola, Equinor.
🧑🔧 Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Providers
☑️ Role: These companies specialize in the long-term operations and maintenance of offshore wind farms, ensuring optimal performance and longevity.
🎯 Key Activities: Regular maintenance, troubleshooting, repair services, remote monitoring, and performance optimization.
📌 Examples: Global Wind Service, MHI Vestas Offshore Wind, Senvion.
🪸 Environmental and Consulting Firms
☑️ Role: Environmental and consulting firms provide expertise in environmental assessments, regulatory compliance, and project management throughout the lifecycle of a wind farm.
🎯 Key Activities: Environmental impact assessments (EIAs), marine surveys, stakeholder engagement, and consulting on regulatory and permitting processes.
📌 Examples: Ramboll, DNV GL, AECOM.
👩⚖️ Legal and Financial Services
☑️ Role: These firms provide the legal, financial, and advisory services necessary to develop, finance, and insure offshore wind projects.
🎯 Key Activities: Project financing, risk management, legal advice on contracts and regulatory issues, insurance underwriting, and investment management.
📌 Clifford Chance (Legal), Macquarie Group (Finance), Allianz (Insurance).
🎓 Training and Education Providers
☑️ Role: These organizations offer specialized training and education to develop the skills required in the offshore wind industry.
🎯 Key Activities: Safety training, technical certifications, degree programs, and ongoing professional development.
📌 Examples: Global Wind Organisation (GWO), RenewableUK, universities offering renewable energy programs.
💨 Turbine Manufacturers
☑️ Role: These companies design, manufacture, and sometimes install wind turbines, which are the central components of offshore wind farms.
🎯 Key Activities: R&D, turbine design, manufacturing, quality control, and innovation in turbine technology to improve efficiency and reliability.
📌 Examples: Siemens Gamesa, Vestas, GE Renewable Energy.
🪢 Subsea Cable Suppliers and Installers
☑️ Role: Subsea cable companies design, manufacture, and install the cables that connect wind turbines to each other and to the onshore grid.
🎯 Key Activities: Cable design and manufacturing, subsea installation, grid connection, and ongoing cable maintenance.
📌 Examples: Prysmian Group, Nexans, NKT.
⚓️ Service and Support Vessels Operators
☑️ Role: These companies operate vessels that support the construction, maintenance, and operation of offshore wind farms.
🎯 Key Activities: Crew transfer, offshore accommodation, heavy lifting, and transport of equipment and personnel.
📌 Examples: Swire Pacific Offshore, Bourbon Offshore, Esvagt.
🔬 Research and Development (R&D) Institutions
☑️ Role: R&D institutions conduct research to advance offshore wind technology, improve efficiency, and reduce costs.
🎯 Key Activities: Technology development, testing and certification, industry collaboration, and policy advisory.
📌 Examples: Fraunhofer IWES, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult.
⛴️ Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) Contractors
☑️ Role: EPC contractors are responsible for the detailed engineering design, procurement of materials and equipment, and the construction of offshore wind farms.
🎯 Key Activities: Offshore construction, foundation installation, cable laying, and project management during the construction phase.
📌 Examples: Van Oord, DEME, Jan De Nul Group.
🏗️ Foundation and Substructure Manufacturers
☑️ Role: These companies design and produce the foundations and substructures that support wind turbines in the harsh offshore environment.
🎯 Key Activities: Fabrication of monopiles, jackets, and floating foundations, structural analysis, and installation support.
📌 Examples: Smulders, Sif Group, Bladt Industries.
⚡️ Transmission System Operators (TSOs)
☑️ Role: TSOs are responsible for managing and maintaining the electricity transmission network, including the offshore grid connections.
🎯 Key Activities: Grid connection planning, infrastructure development, system operation, and integration of offshore wind into the national grid.
📌 Examples: TenneT, National Grid, Elia.
🏢 Government and Regulatory Bodies
☑️ Role: These entities oversee the regulation, licensing, and development policies related to offshore wind energy.
🎯 Key Activities: Regulation, policy development, offshore leasing, environmental regulation, and stakeholder engagement.
📌 Examples: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) in the US, The Crown Estate in the UK.