Leading offshore wind developer, Mainstream Renewable Power, today announced its Board level membership of the Offshore Wind Development Coalition in the U.S.
The company, which is already actively developing over 7,600MW of offshore wind projects in Europe, recently expressed an interest in developing a major wind farm as part of New Jersey’s offshore wind program.
Mainstream, which is headed by former Airtricity CEO Eddie O’Connor, has carved itself a leadership position in Europe’s burgeoning offshore industry. It is developing a 450MW project in Scotland, the 1,200MW Horizont project in Germany and it has formed a 50:50 joint venture with Siemens Project Ventures to develop and build one of Europe’s largest offshore wind farms; the 6,000MW Hornsea Zone off the east coast of England. The Board membership, which is the company’s first significant step into the U.S. offshore sector, comes ahead of the US Government’s imminent plans to launch an offshore wind industry.
Mainstream Director and Chief Executive of its Offshore Business, Andy Kinsella said: “We’re delighted to be part of this pioneering Coalition. Mainstream brings the benefit of ten years of offshore wind development experience from Europe and we plan to use this to fast track the benefits to the US market. Our people developed Ireland’s first offshore wind farm back in 2001 as well as the Greater Gabbard project, one of world’s largest offshore wind farms currently under construction.
Kinsella continued: “Our role is about facilitating a brand new industry in the U.S. on a scale that hasn’t been seen elsewhere in the world. I applaud the US Government’s foresight and leadership, for their plans to establish an offshore wind industry that will deliver thousands of jobs, a new skills base, real manufacturing opportunities and a completely new supply chain.”
Commenting on Mainstream’s membership, Jim Lanard, President of the Offshore Wind Development Coalition said: “The U.S. offshore wind industry enthusiastically welcomes Mainstream Renewable Power as our newest Board member. Mainstream’s experience in Europe and their expertise will be a valued addition to the U.S. offshore wind industry. We look forward to working with Mainstream and its team as we grow the U.S. market for offshore wind.”
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Source: mainstreamrp, June 21, 2011