Wednesday 10th August 2016

Wind Watch

Wind Watch is published every Monday and Friday.

In the meantime, here is another in our regular series of Q&As profiling members of the A Word About Wind community. If you would like to be profiled in A Word About Wind, get in touch.

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Name: Muir Miller
Job: Managing Director
Company: Peel Energy Ltd

How long have you worked in renewables?
I started work in renewables in 2003 when I returned from a ten-year assignment working in Thailand. I initially worked for United Utilities Green Energy as their operations director, then moved to work as the CEO of a Macquarie Bank renewable company when they bought UU Green Energy. I joined Peel Energy in 2008.

In ten words or fewer, what does your firm do?
We develop build, own and operate low carbon projects.

Where do you see the biggest opportunities at present?
While there are some interesting countries with emerging wind opportunities, Peel Holdings, as a privately-owned, entrepreneurial company, is still very much focused within the UK.

Peel Energy is constructing two onshore wind farms at present and is developing Scottish Island projects. We also develop low-carbon projects outside the wind sector including Biomass CHP.

What is wind's biggest challenge, and how would you fix it?
The biggest challenge in the UK wind sector is the UK Government – they need to create a stable energy policy to give some certainty to the developers and investors. Mixing politics and value for money does not allow the industry to mature.

What do you enjoy most about working in wind?
No two projects are ever the same and you can guarantee that unexpected issues will hit each project. Development and construction is a people business and dealing with the wide range of stakeholders is both challenging and enjoyable.

Why did you originally join A Word About Wind?
A Word About Wind called me and asked if I was interested in attending one of their conferences. From there we decided to join.