Helen K Thomas, Team Lead for Supply Chain Development at RWE has led the OEA’s development and Chaired the Alliance since 2019, when the cluster was formed. Stuart Barnes, Head of Government and External Affairs at EnBW, already a key partner of the OEA, will now join as Co-Chair alongside Helen, going forwards.
This marks a key transition for the cluster as it continues to develop and grow, aligning national level ambitions for offshore wind and low carbon energy, with local activities in the north Wales-north west England region.
Helen K Thomas, RWE, reflected on the OEA and its unique role in the region:
“The Offshore Energy Alliance was established in a unique way, with a Governance structure shaped around sustaining the cluster’s development whilst, most importantly, capturing benefit for supply chain companies across north Wales and north west England. We’ve worked to build a myriad of meaningful partnerships between local companies and key industry players, helping businesses understand how to engage and become active participants in the offshore energy sector. It has been an absolute pleasure to play a lead role in the cluster’s development to date. The need for a future Co-Chair arrangement with Stuart’s expertise coming on board reflects the Alliances’ positive growth trajectory so far.”
With secretariat support from M-SParc, the OEA’s work is supported by five Topic Champions, assigned from the local supply chain, skills and innovation space, who each steer the cluster’s activities in their areas of expertise. The five topic champions were all confirmed in 2023/24 and include:
- Hutchinson Engineering – Topic Champion for Supply Chain Growth
- The North Wales Regional Skills Partnership – Topic Champion for building a skilled workforce
- AMRC Cymru – Topic Champion for manufacturing and innovation.
- Bibby Marine – Topic Champion for advancements in maritime and vessels and;
- ABP – Topic Champion for Ports, leveraging strategic locations like Barrow and Port Talbot to support offshore wind expansion.
Since its establishment, the OEA decided that the role of the Chair was to be filled by an active developer in the region to ensure it is industry-led with support from public-side Partners, including Welsh Government, Ambition North Wales, The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Enterprising Cumbria. In future, the Chair/Co-Chair position is therefore likely to rotate between RWE, EnBW, BP, Orsted, Morlais and other developers with a presence in low carbon offshore energy in the region.
Stuart Barnes, EnBW, expressed his enthusiasm for the new role:
“I am honoured to take on the role of Co-Chair for the Offshore Energy Alliance. I look forward to working with partners from across the offshore renewable energy value chain to help maximise the benefits of this industry to the region.
“Ultimately, the work of the OEA should be about delivering clean energy, jobs and economic growth to the people and communities living in north west England and north Wales. I look forward to working with partners to ensure that this region is at the heart of government’s plans to make the UK a Clean Energy Superpower.
“The OEA region has an incredible mix of capability and potential when it comes to offshore renewable energy. From major, world leading infrastructure project developers, cutting edge technology manufacturers and services providers, maritime expertise and best in class Skills and R&D institutions.
Working alongside Helen as Co-Chair, and other OEA members, we will continue to lead impactful OEA activities, spearheading successes that benefit the entire north Wales and north west region.”
With Stuart Barnes stepping into the Co-Chair role alongside Helen K Thomas, the OEA is well-positioned to continue driving forward initiatives that benefit the region. The Alliance looks forward to continuing its work to foster collaboration, innovation, and ultimate supplier growth within the offshore energy sector in the coming years.