Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG) has appointed two new directors to its existing board of six.
Flotation Energy technical director Allan MacAskill (left) and Coast Offshore managing director Andrew Wilson (right) will support AREG’s mission to champion the north-east’s renewable energy sector as it continues to support its members by unlocking supply chain opportunities.
MacAskill has spent more than 40 years working in the energy industry, both in traditional oil and gas and renewables.
In that time, he co-founded Kincardine Offshore Wind in 2012 and Flotation Energy in 2018, both of which have supported the development of a significant portfolio of UK and international renewable energy projects, including Green Volt, which is set to be Europe’s first commercial-scale floating offshore windfarm.
Wilson worked in the rotating equipment industry for more than a decade with companies including Siemens Energy where he supported operators in oil and gas, before pivoting to renewables.
Prior to assuming his current position as managing director of Coast Offshore, Andrew was a service operations manager at Scotland’s biggest windfarm, Seagreen, on behalf of Vestas.
The new board members join AREG chairperson Jean Morrison, Aberdeen International Associates director Gordon McIntosh, Shearwater growth and energy transition business opportunity manager/project director at Shell Sven van den Bedem, Fennex co-founder and strategy director Nassima Brown, Aberdein Considine partner Rod Hutchison, senior lecturer in chemical engineering at the University of Aberdeen Alfonso Martinez-Felipe, and Aberdeen City Council councillor Dell Henrickson.
“We are honoured to add two talented industry leaders to our board, who will bring a breadth of knowledge and experience to the organisation as we look to increase our support for members at a critical time for Scotland’s energy transition,” said Morrison.
She added: “With several important renewables projects recently receiving Contracts for Difference and some exciting renewables developments yet to be confirmed by the government, we are encouraged by the value that our new board directors will add to AREG’s member offering as the North-east strengthens its position as a supply chain hub for the renewable energy industry.”
MacAskill said: “My interest in the energy transition was first sparked by involvement in the electrification of the Beatrice oil field.
“From that, I know that Aberdeen already possesses the offshore capacity, skills, and experience to make the energy transition possible.
“The north-east of Scotland is ideally positioned to closely collaborate with neighbouring countries to build a new economy which exports knowledge, skills and electrons right around the world.
“Offshore renewable energy offers enormous potential to bring investment worth billions of pounds and create thousands of jobs.
“I am delighted to be joining the AREG Board at this time to help members capitalise on this opportunity.”
Wilson added: “It is a privilege to be joining the AREG board with the opportunity to work alongside industry leaders.
“The wealth of experience and knowledge within the group allows us to support our members in leading the North-east’s drive to be at the forefront of the energy transition and deliver on the potential we harbour in Scotland.”