Employment in Marine Renewable EnergyOn the occasion of the start of the Master in Marine Renewable Energies (Master in Marine Renewable Energies) of Bureau Veritas Business School and the Spanish Maritime Institute (IME) on May 11 , its Director, Marcos López-Brea, writes this week about the employment opportunities in this sector of Marine Renewables. Don't miss it!
Throughout 2014, 536 offshore wind turbines were installed in Europe. In total, to date, 2,488 wind turbines have been installed and connected to the grid, representing a cumulative total of 8,045.3 MW in 74 offshore wind farms in 11 European countries.
Once the 12 offshore projects currently under construction are completed, the installed capacity of offshore wind energy will increase by more than 2.9 GW , bringing the cumulative capacity in Europe to 10.9 GW.
Knowing the technical characteristics of Marine Renewable Energies and, specifically, of offshore wind farms , being able to analyze whether these technologies are competitive with respect to other part time data electricity generation technologies, knowing how to manage projects of the size and complexity of an offshore wind farm , knowing how to operate and maintain these types of facilities and coordinating and deciding what type of Maritime Transport is necessary for the different phases of development, construction and maintenance of these facilities , are perhaps the qualities most in demand by electricity companies, by engineering firms, by equipment manufacturers and by financial institutions that finance these types of projects.
It is a rapidly expanding sector that offers real opportunities for professional development for those who are prepared and trained in this field.
In this sense, and in a context of growing concern about the effects of Climate Change on our economies and our way of life, the role of Marine Renewable Energy and, more precisely, offshore wind farms, appears to be fundamental as a source of electricity generation during the 21st century .
If we want to be part of the solution, we must be able to understand the main challenges of Marine Renewable Energy and improve our technical capabilities and understanding of the different technologies . We must know how to manage the planning and development requirements of Marine Renewable facilities, as well as the operation and maintenance of the facilities and the Health and Safety aspects of complex projects with a multitude of companies involved.
If we are also able to assess the different technologies from an economic point of view, knowing the different valuation hypotheses of the financial models and the different sources of financing for the projects, and we have the necessary skills to manage the Logistics of the different types of Maritime Transport required in each of the phases of the projects, we will be in a position to play a relevant role in the development of this technology.
And, to qualify for these employment opportunities, a wide range of training and experience is necessary. People who complement their training in Economics, Business Management, Naval, Civil, Mining or Industrial Engineering, training in Environmental Sciences, Biology, Physics or Chemistry with specific training in offshore wind farms, will be able to develop their professional career in a growing industry with technological challenges that the new generations will have to meet, with the aim of achieving clean and competitive energy .
The development of offshore wind farms requires qualified personnel with the necessary training to face the challenges involved in the construction, operation and maintenance of this type of installation, which is expected to grow exponentially over the next 40 years .