The German Federal Association of Offshore Wind Farm Operators BWO has appointed Stefan Thimm as its new managing director.
Thimm, a political scientist, succeeds Uwe Knickrehm, who has led the group since 2015.
The new MD said he takes the role in a year when “important political decision” are needed to deliver the 20GW by 2030 sector target, he said.
“Politicians must now take action and present a strategy to achieve the ambitious expansion goal as quickly as possible and thus create planning security for the offshore industry,” he said.
“In addition, the necessary further development of the support system for renewable energies must be realised. This would result in savings and thus relief for end consumers in the hundreds of millions.
“As BWO, we will also tackle these and other topics at our ‘Future Offshore’ conference in early March. “
Before joining the offshore association, Thimm had been working at the Federal Association of Energy and Water Management (BDEW) since 2002, and as head of the Renewable Energies department since 2009.
“With Stefan Thimm, we are delighted to have a proven expert in the field of energy management as managing director,” said Catrin Jung, BWO chief executive
“Under his leadership, we can continue to pursue the course of growth under Uwe Knickrehm and offer a suitable forum for the numerous topics of steadily growing electricity generation at sea with the BWO.”