Nova East Wind Inc., a Joint Venture partnership between DP Energy and SBM Offshore, has re-appointed HiDef Aerial Surveying Ltd. as its aerial survey provider.

The Joint Venture partnership announced its floating offshore wind farm development earlier this year which will supply renewable electricity to Nova Scotians. The 300–400 MW Nova East Wind project will be located approximately 20-30km off Goldboro, Nova Scotia. This first stepping-stone project will kickstart an exciting new industry in Nova Scotia, contributing to the province meeting its 2030 decarbonization goals.

HiDef has been carrying out monthly aerial surveys for Nova East Wind since October 2022, and this will now continue for a second year.  These surveys will provide insight into the abundance and distribution of birds, marine mammals, and other marine species in the proposed wind farm area.

Anne-Marie Belliveau, Nova East Wind Project Manager, said: “We are excited to continue working with HiDef for the delivery of the aerial surveys for Nova East Wind. The results from these surveys will help guide discussions with stakeholders and rights holders, optimize project design and allow the team to make informed decisions based on survey findings.”

Commenting on the appointment, Martin Scott, HiDef Managing Director said: “Providing clients with robust data to help understand the environment they are working in is key to us and we are proud to be part of this ground breaking Canadian project.”

An information session as well as an official project launch event took place earlier this year, with a project website now available at www.novaeastwind.ca.

Nova East Wind Inc, a Joint Venture partnership between DP Energy and SBM Offshore, has appointed Stantec as its lead Environmental Consultant.

The Joint Venture partnership announced its floating offshore wind farm development earlier this year. The 300 to 400 MW Nova East Wind project is proposed to be located approximately 20 to 30km off Goldboro, Nova Scotia. This first stepping-stone project will kickstart an exciting new industry in Nova Scotia, contributing to the province meeting its 2030 decarbonization goals.

Stantec’s local Dartmouth office, supported by its expert subconsultants and regional colleagues, will lead on environmental appraisal and consenting for Nova East Wind.  As part of its work, Stantec will deliver a wide range of outputs including an Impact Statement to examine the potential impacts of the project on the surrounding environment including sea, land and wildlife and the human environment.

Anne-Marie Belliveau, Nova East Wind Project Manager, said: “This is a significant milestone for the Nova East Wind project, and we are delighted that the project will benefit from the expertise and experience offered by the Stantec team. With this key appointment, we are progressing on the path to deliver Nova East Wind and providing Nova Scotia with renewable power from Offshore Floating Wind.”

“This is an exciting time for us. We look forward to working alongside such important partners like DP Energy and SBM Offshore on this project,” said Dale Conroy, Stantec’s Project Director and Environmental Services Power Sector Leader in Canada. “As a global leader in the environmental consulting sector, our team is committed to delivering impact assessment services that will promote the sustainable nature of this strategic project and contribute to the development of clean energy in Canada.”

The project website is now available at www.novaeastwind.ca.

Destination Renewables launched its second year this month at Pembrokeshire College and welcomed a new cohort of first year students onto the pioneering programme preparing learners for the future renewables’ job market.

EDF Renewables UK and DP Energy, the partners behind the Celtic Sea Gwynt Glas Floating Offshore Wind Farm, first joined forces with Pembrokeshire College in 2022 to establish Destination Renewables. The two year award winning programme transfers real-world sector knowledge to 16-18 year olds and aims to educate learners about low carbon technologies, including wave, tidal, onshore wind, solar and offshore wind and associated project development processes. The programme brings business leaders into the classroom to offer meaningful employer-to-learner engagement.

In its first year, the course engaged with over 90 learners and some 40 industry organisations came forward to participate in the programme. It was also awarded the ‘Offshore Wind Energy Skills accolade at the inaugural Renewables UK Offshore Wind Awards. The programme has been shortlisted for this award again this year and was shortlisted as a finalist in two Wales STEM Awards. The Wales STEM Awards shines a spotlight on businesses creating an impact on the Welsh economy, those addressing the STEM diversity gap and skills shortage, and those inspiring and raising aspirations of the next generation.

Mark Hazelton, Gwynt Glas Project Director said: “Destination Renewables is the first programme of its kind in Wales. It aims to inspire students to explore future career options in the renewable energy sector needed to build the net zero energy system of the future. We want to ensure that young people in Wales are aware of the opportunities and well placed to maximise the benefits from potential future floating offshore wind projects like Gwynt Glas that could be on their door step.”

Joshua Thomas second year Destination Renewables student at Pembrokeshire College said: “I signed up to Destination Renewables as I am concerned about climate change. I would love to work in the renewable energy sector following my studies. I hope that this course will help me stand out. I am most looking forward to meeting businesses, learning how they got to where they are now and finding out what I need to do to get there too.”

Arwyn Williams, Head of Faculty Engineering, Computing, 14-16, Quality Nominee and Strategic lead for Higher Education at Pembrokeshire College said: “It has been an incredible experience for the learners to have so much meaningful engagement with industry involved within this exciting sector.  The partnership with Gwynt Glas has enabled the college to connect with important players and we are very excited to embark on this next stage of the programme with the second cohort.”

There has been a real appetite and sense of excitement from learners and partners around this programme. The sessions have been a mix of interactive workshops, hands on activities, presentations, lectures and a site visits. This has been topped up by traditional classroom learning.

Learners are about to embark on their second year which involves an Extended Project Qualification.

Destination Renewables is a curriculum enrichment programme which culminates in an Extended Project Qualification (WJEC EPQ). This is in addition to learners Level 3 Qualification in Engineering, Business and Construction and can secure additional UCAS points.  The programme is underpinned by the Skills and Talent programme of the Swansea Bay City Deal, jointly funded by the Welsh and UK Governments, alongside private sector investment. Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum has supported the renewables industry to create a positive learner journey in the delivery of this private sector and education partnership.

Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust is delighted to announce a new partnership with Irish founded renewable energy company, DP Energy who’s made its UK home in Pembroke Dock.

Katie Macro, Director of the Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust said: “We are thrilled that DP Energy have chosen to become a Silver Partner and help in our mission to support conservation, community and culture in the National Park.”

The Trust was set up to safeguard the spectacular National Park landscapes for future generations.

Headquartered in Cork, DP Energy has over 30 years’ experience in the global renewable energy sector and has developed over 1GW (1,000MW) of renewable energy projects, which are built and operational. Currently, it has an immediate pipeline of over 9GW of both on and offshore wind, solar and ocean energy projects across Ireland, the UK, Australia and Canada.

DP Energy has been operating in the UK since the 1990s to deliver onshore wind projects and opened an office in Pembrokeshire in 2021.In 2022, the company entered a Celtic Sea joint venture with EDF Renewables for the Gwynt Glas Floating Offshore Wind Farm project and is currently developing a wider portfolio of projects in the UK and new markets.

Chris Williams, Head of Development UK and New Markets for DP Energy said: “DP Energy is delighted to be a Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust Silver Partner. We are 100% committed to using the most sustainable and environmentally responsible methods in all our energy developments. Our Pembrokeshire based team is passionate about supporting the growth of a new energy sector that can meet net zero targets and sustain skilled, well-paid jobs for future generations, to benefit local communities. We are extremely fortunate to live and work in this beautiful part of the world and look forward to working with the Trust on their initiatives to enhance conservation, community, and culture in the National Park.”

Since 2021, the Trust has run an annual business membership programme, offering a variety of packages to suit businesses of any size and type.

Further information about the Pembrokeshire Coast Partners scheme can be found at https://pembrokeshirecoasttrust.wales/how-you-can-help/pembrokeshire-coast-partners/. If you would like to discuss a scheme further, please get in touch with the team by calling 01646 624811 or emailing [email protected].

DP Energy, one of Ireland’s leading developers of renewable energy projects, has promoted Kimberley Harris to the role of Group PR and Communications Manager. Headquartered in Cork and operating across the world, DP Energy is committed to using the most sustainable and environmentally responsible methods possible in all their energy developments. 

 In her new role, Kimberley will manage and oversee all internal and external communications across the company’s international portfolio of onshore and offshore renewable energy developments. Working closely with group management, Kimberley will lead all communications in line with DP Energy’s growth strategy, which will see the company move into new jurisdictions and renewable energy generation and storage technologies over the next few years. 

 DP Energy has over 30 years’ experience in the development, construction, and operation of renewable energy assets globally and to date, the company has developed over 1GW (1000 MW) of energy projects, the majority of which are already built and operational. Currently, DP Energy has an immediate pipeline of 7GW of both on- and off- shore wind and solar energy projects across Ireland, the UK, Australia, and Canada, with 750MW due to enter construction in 2023/24. 

 Kimberley joined DP Energy in 2020 as Project Co-ordinator and was promoted to Communications and Coordination Manager in 2021 with responsibility for DP Energy’s cross-platform communications requirements while also providing support to the Project Managers on the offshore team.  

 After graduating with an MSc in Coastal and Marine Environments in 2017 at NUI Galway, Kimberley worked as a Research Assistant for the UCC Marine Geology Research Group. During this time, she provided support for several projects, took part in offshore surveys and was a key part of developing novel ‘lander’ systems for deployment. 

 Kimberley holds a Professional Diploma in PR & Marketing Communications, an MSc in Coastal and Marine Environments and a BA in English and Geography and has completed courses in Research Integrity, Project Management and Assertive Communication Skills.   

 Commenting on the appointment, Adam Cronin, Chief Operating Officer (COO) at DP Energy, said: “Myself and the DP Energy team are delighted to congratulate Kimberley on her promotion to Group PR and Communications Manager at an exciting time of company growth and expansion. Kimberley has been an integral part of the DP Energy Team over the last few years, leading communications and assisting with the co-ordination of offshore wind programmes in Ireland and beyond. Kimberley brings a passion for renewable energy along with a wealth of experience to the role. We are looking forward to Kimberley using her skills to work across our global project portfolio.