Dutch energy major Shell has joined the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) as a board level member.
Ben Backwell , CEO of GWEC, said: “We are delighted to have Shell join GWEC’s board. Shell’s experience across energy markets in many geographies and deep knowledge of technology development and engineering will bring a valuable new perspective to our work in accelerating the growth of the wind industry across the world.”
Shell is taking part in GWEC’s Offshore Taskforce, which brings together leading industry actors to accelerate the development of offshore wind in new global markets.
Dorine Bosman , VP Shell Wind Development, said: “We are pleased to join GWEC and their Offshore Taskforce to help accelerate the development of offshore wind, an important part of Shell’s growing New Energies portfolio. We look forward to working with Ben and his team and the other GWEC members.”
GWEC expects the wind industry to grow to accumulated installed capacity of 841GW in 2022, from 539GW at the end of 2017.
Last year, Shell announced plans to invest up to USD 1 billion a year in its New Energies division by the end of the decade. The company has also called on the government of the Netherlands to increase its 2030 offshore wind target to 20GW.
Shell is also part of a consortium that will build the Borssele III & IV offshore wind project in the Netherlands.