UK: Norstec Network Appoints First Chairman

RenewableUK has welcomed the appointment of Julian Brown, AREVA Wind’s Country Director for the UK, as the first chairman of the industry-led Norstec network.

Mr Brown is a main Board Director of RenewableUK and brings a wealth of experience to this key role. The news was announced at RenewableUK’s annual Offshore Wind conference in Manchester.

The Norstec programme was first announced by the Prime Minister David Cameron at the Clean Energy Ministerial Summit in April 2012. It brings together more than 80 organisations (leading companies, investors, trade bodies and academics) to set out a long-term vision for the deployment of offshore wind in the northern seas, highlighting the unprecedented economic opportunity this offers to the UK.

Norstec aims to encourage collaboration, stimulate innovation and improve communication between all those involved in the offshore wind sector, to maximise the potential of the abundant resources of the northern seas. Norstec signatories include offshore wind developers, manufacturers involved at all levels of the supply chain, The Crown Estate, National Grid, academic institutions and trade associations.

Norstec’s new chairman Julian Brown said:

“I am delighted to have been asked to be the first Chairman of Norstec. This is a truly exciting time as offshore electricity generation establishes itself as a credible and large scale part of the energy portfolio, creating an economic opportunity unmatched since the development of oil and gas in the North Sea in the 1970s. I look forward to working with the Norstec Steering Group to build the route map for the way ahead and to bring my experience in the wind industry to help spread the message and encourage innovation and investment in offshore renewables.”

Norstec also announced today that it has agreed to RenewableUK’s offer to provide the secretariat for Norstec, in order to facilitate its work. RenewableUK’s Chief Executive Maria McCaffery said:

 “I am delighted that a respected industry figure is at the helm of Norstec. Julian Brown brings a wealth of experience to this key role. I also feel proud and privileged that the companies and other bodies making up Norstec have put their faith in RenewableUK to host the initiative. Our role will be to help deliver on their aspiration to communicate the scale of the opportunity offered by the offshore wind sector in our northern seas. This is central to the intention for the UK to seize this unprecedented industrial opportunity and create tens of thousands of jobs over the next decade.”

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Press release, June 12, 2013