Fred. Olsen Windcarrier UK’s new general manager, David Matthews, has been elected to the board of RenewableUK in his second month in post.
Mr. Matthews becomes one of 12 influential industry leaders elected to the board to represent the UK wind and marine energy industry.
“It’s a real honour to be elected to the RenewableUK board. We work in an industry in which the UK is the world leader. I’m looking forward to contributing to the further evolution of this fast-moving and exciting industry in a different capacity to my day-to-day role.”
Mr. Matthews was recently appointed to head up Fred. Olsen Windcarrier in the UK.
“It’s an honour to join such an innovative and forward thinking management team, with ambitious growth plans.”
One of his priorities is to explore opportunities for the companies under the Fred. Olsen Ocean umbrella including Fred. Olsen Windcarrier, Global Wind Service, Universal Foundation and Fred. Olsen Marine Services.
David said: “We are working together so that we can provide a broader scope of work to projects reducing project complexity and risk. Developers are beginning to evolve their approach to contracting, increasingly moving towards partnerships with companies that can take on more scope and manage the risk.”
“Fred. Olsen Windcarrier, for example, comes with a vessel spread that includes jack-ups and crew transfer vessels (CTV’s), as well as project management, engineering expertise, and marine management services.
“Related company Global Wind Service can provide the technical manpower, lift supervisors and site management. While they work together to take on bigger scopes of work, the companies will maintain their individual brands and identities.”
Well-connected and respected across the wind industry in which he has worked for many years, David said his appointment is “part of the business growth plan in key markets”.
“I’ve had a great working relationship with different Fred. Olsen companies over the years, an organisation that truly believes in renewable energy and has demonstrated its commitment by investing in technology, people and assets.
“Off the back of installing around 50 percent of all offshore wind turbines in Germany, next year Fred. Olsen Windcarrier will install the first offshore wind farm in the US for Deepwater Wind, the 30-MW Block Island project, near Rhode Island.”
Previously head of sales for AREVA Wind in the UK, David was part of building the AREVA UK organisation from scratch to be viewed as a “credible alternative to market leading wind turbine manufacturers.”
David began his career as an apprentice mechanical engineer working in a factory in Kendal, Cumbria, which made hydropower turbines, before going on to gain a degree from Lancaster University.
He lives in Cumbria with his wife and two daughters, aged nine and seven, where he enjoys sailing on Lake Windermere.
About Fred. Olsen Windcarrier:
Fred. Olsen Windcarrier provides innovative and tailored services for the transport, installation, and maintenance of offshore wind parks.
Building on 167 years of offshore and marine experience, Fred. Olsen Windcarrier was established in 2008 to service the growing offshore wind sector. The company currently owns and operates two class leading purpose-built jack-up vessels; Bold Tern and Brave Tern, and a fleet of eight modern service vessels for transporting crew and equipment to and from offshore wind farms.
Fred. Olsen Windcarrier has gained extensive experience installing the latest generation offshore wind turbines on some of the world’s largest wind farms. The company provides complete project management services and vast engineering expertise in-house and is able to supply a wide scope of services, including technical manpower, through its affiliation with related company Global Wind Service.
Fred. Olsen Windcarrier is wholly owned by Fred. Olsen Ocean Ltd. employing over 800 people in offshore wind. Fred. Olsen Ocean is owned on a 50/50 basis by the Norwegian stock listed companies Bonheur ASA and Ganger Rolf ASA.
The company has offices in Oslo – Norway, Fredericia – Denmark, Lowestoft – United Kingdom, Hamburg – Germany and Pieta – Malta.
Lifting Offshore Wind
www.windcarrier.com
About Global Wind Service:
Global Wind Service (GWS) supplies technicians and technical solutions worldwide. Established in 2008, GWS has rapidly grown in both size and experience to become a preferred supplier to the global wind markets.
Today GWS employs more than 570 people and have successfully delivered projects in 26 countries for the world’s biggest turbine manufacturers and utilities.
Global Wind Service is owned 51% by Fred. Olsen Ocean, which is indirectly owned on a 50/50 basis by the Norwegian stock, listed companies Bonheur ASA and Ganger Rolf ASA.
The company is headquartered in Fredericia – Denmark and has offices in Germany, the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Poland, Romania, South Africa and Turkey.
Everywhere the Wind Blows
www.globalwindservice.com
About Universal Foundation:
Universal Foundation is an offshore foundation company majority owned by Fred. Olsen Ocean, which is indirectly owned on a 50/50 basis by the Norwegian stock, listed companies Bonheur ASA and Ganger Rolf ASA.
The company is responsible for bringing the Mono Bucket foundation to the offshore wind industry. The mono bucket is a unique concept in offshore wind engineering built on industry experience of more than 2,000 suction bucket installations offshore. It combines the key benefits of a gravity base foundation, a monopile and a suction bucket and can be installed in a wide variety of site conditions, including sand, silt, clay and layered strata.
The Mono Bucket offers a lower cost solution to traditional foundations using less steel and single lift, self-levelling installation, removing the requirement for a separate transition piece and grouting. Installation time is dramatically reduced, with a proven installation cycle of only 7 hours, and there is usually no requirement for seabed preparations or scour prevention. Most importantly, installation is noise free and the foundation is completely removable for re-use or recycling, minimising environmental impact.
As well as the technology, Universal Foundation provides design, project management and engineering expertise as well as offering holistic solutions for their foundation, working alongside fellow Fred. Olsen related companies or third party contractors for fabrication and installation.
The company has offices in Oslo, Norway and Aalborg – Denmark, Hamburg – Germany and Lowestoft – UK.
