US Offshore Wind R&D Consortium Expands Its Team

The U.S. National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium has named Carrie Cullen Hitt as its first Executive Director and has welcomed GE Renewable Energy to the Board of Directors.

“The Consortium is very fortunate to have Carrie Cullen Hitt accept the position as Executive Director. This leadership position will benefit from her extensive experience, background, and passion for renewable energy and, in particular, offshore wind,” said Robert Catell, Consortium Chairman of the Board.

“The Consortium welcomes General Electric as its newest member. They bring a tremendous wealth of experience in the offshore wind field and further reinforce the Consortium’s role as the “go to” place in the U.S. offshore wind industry.”

Cullen Hitt, who will take the position on 3 September, previously worked as the President of New Hampshire Transmission, Senior Director for NextEra Energy Resources and Senior Vice President of Solar Energy Industries Association.

Before Solar Energy, she was the President for Solar Alliance and served as Vice President of Sustainability and Renewables, as well as Vice President of National Government and Regulatory Affairs, for Constellation Energy.

Additionally, GE Renewable Energy joined the Board as a Private Sponsor member and will work with consortium partners to help reduce costs and drive technological innovations to scale the offshore wind industry and address the needs of all U.S. offshore wind regions, the consortium said.

In December 2017, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a USD 18.5 million funding to NYSERDA for the establishment of the consortium, with an aim of conducting U.S.-specific research aimed at reducing the cost of offshore wind.