Alstom appointed to Offshore Wind Cost-Cutting Task Force

Charles Hendry, UK Energy Minister, has announced the membership of the industry-led Offshore Wind Cost Reduction Task Force. The group will be chaired by Andrew Jamieson, current Chair of industry-body Renewable UK.  Alstom, along with several other engineering organisations, will join this panel.

The Task Force was announced as part of the Governments Renewable Energy Roadmap in July 2011, and will set out a path and action plan to reduce the costs of offshore wind to £100 MWh by 2020. The Task Force will report to DECC Ministers and Devolved Administration Ministers by Spring 2012.
 
The Task Force members are:

Steve Burgin - Alstom UK Country President
Thomas Arensbach Gamesa Director - Offshore Markets & Project Development
David Clarke Energy Technologies Institute - Chief Executive Officer
Ron Cookson Technip - Senior Vice President, Technip Offshore Wind
Tom Delay The Carbon Trust - Chief Executive Officer
Christoph Ehlers Siemens Wind UK Managing Director
Andrew Garrad GL Garrad Hassan - Chairman and CEO
Chris Hill Mainstream Renewable Power
General Manager SMart Wind Ltd
Chris Jones Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) Technical Director, Networks
Flemming Ougaard Vestas Offshore A/S - Chief Operating Officer & Senior Vice President
Christian Skakkebaek DONG Energy -  Senior Vice President, Country Manager UK
Mike Straughen Wood Group Group Board Director
Michelle T Davies Eversheds Partner & Head of Clean Energy and Sustainability
Alan Thompson Centrica Director of Renewable Energy
Ed Wilson Lloyds Banking Corporate Markets - Head of Renewable Energy 

Stephen Burgin, UK Country President comments on what his new appointment means for Alstom;

"Alstom sees offshore wind as a key part of the UK's energy mix and cost reduction as a fundamental enabler in meeting the UK's 2020 commitments. Alstom therefore welcomes this opportunity to make a significant contribution towards this important initiative through our experience in delivering large scale power generating plant and transmission infrastructure, supported by our strategic focus towards clean power and renewable energy including wind, wave and tidal technologies"

Speaking at the Offshore Wind Developers Forum, which brings together Government and industry to work on solutions to remove barriers that have the potential to impede the viability and deliverability of offshore wind in the UK, Energy Minister Charles Hendry said:

Offshore wind not only makes sense for our energy security and the environment, but the economy too, bringing jobs and economic growth. I am pleased to be able to announce the members that will spearhead this vital work to drive down the costs of delivering our offshore wind ambitions. This Task Force will provide the strong leadership and vision required to grow our offshore wind sector in the next decade and beyond.

The first full meeting of the Task Force will take place on 18th October 2011 in London.