Philippe Kavafyan has been appointed chief executive of Aker Offshore Wind to “accelerate” the deepwater wind developer’s growth ambitions across projects in Asia, Europe and North America.
Kavafyan’s career spans more than 30 years, including over 15 years in the wind industry.
He was most recently CEO of MHI Vestas.
“Philippe Kavafyan’s broad experience as an executive in the offshore wind industry makes him the ideal candidate to take Aker Offshore Wind through the next stages of development,” said Kristian Rokke, chairman of Aker Offshore Wind and CEO of the company’s main owner Aker Horizons.
Kavafyan said: “I am excited to take on this role at Aker Offshore Wind, which is in a great position to lead the industrialisation of floating wind on a big scale, utilising its unique industrial heritage from the Aker group and strong, early positions in major offshore projects around the world.”
Kavafyan replaces Astrid Skarheim Onsum, who has decided to pursue interests outside the company.
Rokke said: “I would like to thank Astrid Skarheim Onsum for her leadership and commitment during the initial phase of Aker Offshore Wind as a standalone company.
“Under her stewardship, a small project group grew into a respected and recognised player in the rapidly growing floating wind industry.”
The change will be effective from 1 November.
Before MHI Vestas Kavafyan held roles at EDF and General Electric.
Aker Offshore Wind is focused on industrialising the floating wind market, which is expected to emerge as one of the most efficient renewable energy sources.
Today, about 80% of the world’s wind resources are in waters deeper than 60 metres and thus unsuitable for bottom-fixed foundations.
Aker Offshore Wind builds on the Aker group’s five decades of experience from project execution and operations in the offshore oil and gas industry, including the design of more than half of the world’s semi-submersible floating platforms.
The company is working to develop offshore wind projects in the US, South Korea, UK, Norway and Sweden.