Wind Watch
Wind Watch is published every Monday and Friday.
In the meantime, here is the latest in a regular series of Q&As profiling our members. Interested in being profiled in future? Please contact Richard Heap, editor or Joe Gulliver, membership manager.
Name: Nicola Riley
Job: Head of Wind Energy - UK
Company: Fichtner
How long have you worked in renewables?
I started my career in renewables in 2002, working for Npower in microgeneration including small-scale solar and wind installations. I subsequently consented over 100MW of onshore wind schemes for Airtricity in Scotland; and led M&A activities for Infinis in the wind sector managing due diligence and transactions on several wind portfolios, including operational and development assets.
I now lead the UK wind activities in Fichtner, including onshore and offshore, and offshore transmission technical advisory services. I have been responsible for the delivery of over 1GW of wind due diligence since joining Fichtner.
In ten words or fewer, what does your firm do?
Leading independent engineering consultancy, delivering technical advisory in renewable energy.
In which markets do you see the biggest opportunities?
Offshore wind and offshore transmission, both in the UK and Germany. Fichtner has a strong presence in both jurisdictions and can bring significant lessons learned from deeper-water, HVDC-connected wind farms in Germany to offshore wind projects in the UK, particularly Round 3.
We are also engaged on strategic opportunities in emerging sectors such as marine power and energy storage.
What is the biggest challenge facing wind and how would you solve it?
Proposed policy and subsidy changes, which impact on investor confidence for projects. The UK has the opportunity to become a world-leader in sectors such as offshore wind and tidal energy, and long-term investment is key to support these technologies and secure a stable jobs market. More must be done to engage with politicians, business leaders and local communities to achieve future energy solutions, including continued support for those technologies that are delivering the current targets and are commercially proven, in order to attract financing for the sector.
What do you enjoy most about working in wind?
The daily variety and challenge of wind energy projects and the ability to share projects and knowledge with our wind colleagues across Europe.
Why did you join A Word About Wind?
To stay connected to the leading industry participants and to keep updated on the weekly news stories that are impacting the sector.