Scotland has clear potential to be ‘renewable energy powerhouse’ says new industry chair Adam Morrison

He has three years to make his mark it, but new Scottish Renewables chair Adam Morrison is in determined mood as he gets to grip with the new role.

In his opening remarks since taking office he highlighted the challenges faced by colleagues in making sure that Scotland lives up to its potential as a change maker for the world.

“Scotland’s potential as a renewable energy powerhouse is not in doubt and we have made enormous strides in recent years in demonstrating what we can deliver,” he said, “That includes the deployment of projects that have led the way in cost reduction, as well as the development of a first-class service sector and exciting new technologies.”

Scottish Renewables as an umbrella body for members is widely regarded as being ‘the voice’ for the clean energy sector. With the Holyrood elections, COP26 and new opportunities to press on policy, planning and innovations, his appointment comes at a key juncture.

He said: “There remain significant challenges, including ensuring fair access to the energy market, an efficient planning system and appropriate levels of support for new technologies and infrastructure improvement, which must be addressed if we are to fully realise that potential, meet the net-zero imperative and achieve a just energy transition.”

Morrison is Project Director for Moray West Offshore Wind Farm at Ocean Winds and was unveiled as the new Chair earlier today having been elected by the organisation’s Board this month.

He replaces Rob Forrest, Chief Executive of renewable energy developer GreenPower, who had chaired the organisation since 2018, and paid tribute to his predecessor’s work saying he had made a “huge contribution” over decades.

“The Scottish Renewables team works tirelessly to represent its members and to help steer a path for our industry and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to work closely with them in what is a hugely exciting and important time.”

Adam Morrison, Chair,
Scottish Renewables

Morrison works as Project Director for Moray West Offshore Wind Farm at Ocean Winds, an offshore wind joint-venture owned and created by EDP Renewables and ENGIE in 2020.

The company has 1.9GW under development and construction in Scotland, with various other projects across Europe and the US.

He previously held roles in the wave and tidal sector before moving into onshore wind and then offshore wind including various project positions whilst at RES Offshore, Head of Electrical for the engineering and construction of electrical transmission assets at EDP Renewables, and then Project Director before moving into his role at Ocean Winds.

Claire Mack, Chief Executive, Scottish Renewables

Two new Directors were also co-opted onto Scottish Renewables’ Board. Chris Milne, Chief Financial Officer at tidal energy specialists Orbital Marine Power, and Ronnie Bonnar, Independent Industry Consultant at the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult. Clare Lavelle of Arup was co-opted following her term as an elected Director and Pinsent Masons’ Jennifer Ballantyne continues in her capacity as a co-opted Director.

Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, Claire Mack, said she looked forward to working with the new Chair during what she said would be a “pivotal” time for the industry.

She said: “This is a pivotal year for Scotland’s renewable energy industry and the eyes of the world will be on us as COP26 descends on Glasgow in November.

“I’m delighted to work with Adam as he steers the future of our organisation at this crucial time as we continue our efforts to ensure renewable energy is at the heart of the Scottish economy and work towards achieving our net-zero ambition.”

The full list of Scottish Renewables Board members is:

  • Adam Morrison, Ocean Winds (Chair);
  • Andrew Lyle, Locogen (Vice Chair);
  • Jennifer Ballantyne, Pinsent Masons;
  • Ronnie Bonnar, Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult;
  • Richard Hatton, Enercon;
  • Mike Hay, RIDG;
  • Clare Lavelle, Arup;
  • Susie Lind, EDF Renewables;
  • Chris Milne, Orbital Marine Power Ltd;
  • John Morrison, Shepherd & Wedderburn (Company Secretary);
  • Nicola Percival, RWE Renewables UK;
  • Jeremy Sainsbury, Natural Power Consultants Ltd;
  • Kate Turner, ScottishPower Renewables.

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