Scotland’s Renewable Infrastructure Development Group (RIDG) has welcomed two high profile additions to the business as the company gears up for the 10GW ScotWind offshore wind leasing round.
Isla Robb will lead on supply chain and skills, working to ensure that the RIDG approach to project delivery is innovative, commercially competitive and maximises Scottish and UK domestic content.
Robb has worked in the public sector for 16 years, previously leading Scottish Enterprises’ offshore wind supply chain and skills activities.
Marc Smeed joins from Xero Energy (part of ITP Energised) and will lead the company’s grid and power offtake workstreams.
Smeed is an experienced grid specialist and chartered electrical engineer. Having worked in offshore wind since 2008 he has been directly involved in the connection of over 20GW of onshore and offshore energy projects.
He will focus on optimising power offtake arrangements including system security and affordability, key challenges for all Scottish offshore projects.
Robb said: “I am absolutely delighted to be working with RIDG to help bring their projects to fruition. It is a great opportunity to build on the work that RIDG has already done with potential suppliers based in Scotland and allows me continue to work with many of the companies and skills providers I have worked with.”
Smeed said: “It’s an exciting year for the Scottish offshore wind industry with the new Sectoral Marine Plan, ScotWind leasing round and the Scottish Government’s hydrogen policy statement.
“Having worked in the Scottish offshore wind supply chain for 12 years, I’ve been lucky enough to have first-hand experience working with many of the key global offshore wind players. As a talented, homegrown team, RIDG is extremely well placed to contribute to Scotland’s success as we lead the world into a net zero future.”
RIDG was established in 2017 as an independent, specialised offshore wind project development company.
The firm, with offices in Edinburgh, is working towards the next round of offshore wind in Scotland and has been by aligning with the Scottish supply chain to ensure that local content will be front and centre in any future RIDG project.