2.5 - Careers & Pathways

Careers in Offshore Wind

Due to the sheer scale of RWE offshore wind, there are plenty of opportunities if you’re interested in pursuing a career in this dynamic sector. Let's explore some examples of those careers...

Here’s a glimpse into what a career at RWE offshore wind could look like...

Supply Chain

Construction

Operations

Development

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Development Roles

Project Developer

Environmental Consultant

Supply Chain Development Manager

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Construction Roles

Electrical Engineer

Structural Engineer

Offshore Installation Manager (OIM)

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Operations Roles

Asset Manager

Offshore Wind Coordinator

Wind Turbine Technician

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Supply Chain Roles

Seafarers and Vessel Crew

Diver

Welder

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A structural engineer plays a vital role in ensuring the project's integrity, safety, and efficiency. Here's what a structural engineer typically does:

• Design and analyse the various components of the offshore wind farm, including the foundations, support structures, substation platforms, and other infrastructure.
• Oversee construction activities to ensure that structural components are fabricated, installed, and assembled according to the approved designs and specifications.
• Collaborate with different teams, including geotechnical engineers, marine engineers, project managers, and contractors, to coordinate construction activities and resolve technical challenges.
• Prioritise health and safety throughout the construction phase, ensuring that construction activities comply with relevant safety regulations and industry standards.

Electrical engineers are responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing the electrical systems necessary for the successful installation and operation of offshore wind turbines. Here's what an electrical engineer might do during this phase:

• Collaborate with other engineers and stakeholders to design the offshore wind farm's electrical infrastructure, including subsea cables, inter-array cables, offshore substations, and onshore grid connections.
• Work closely with procurement teams to source electrical equipment and materials required for the construction phase, such as cables, transformers, switchgear, and other electrical components.
• Design offshore and onshore substations that serve as key hubs for collecting electricity generated by the wind turbines and converting it for transmission to the onshore grid.
• Work with grid operators and regulatory authorities to plan and execute the connection of the offshore wind farm to the onshore grid.

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Any vessel that takes the RWE offshore wind team out to the turbines also needs its own crew to maintain it, ensure its safety, and, of course, sail it! Here are some examples of what vessel crew and seafarers typically do:

• Ensure the vessel safely navigates to and from the offshore wind project site, considering weather conditions, maritime regulations, and potential hazards.
• Facilitate the transfer of personnel between the vessel and offshore structures using crew transfer vessels (CTVs), or other transfer methods.

• Maintain clear communication with onshore project managers, other vessels in the vicinity, and offshore personnel to coordinate activities effectively and respond to any changes or emergencies.
• Implement and adhere to safety protocols to prevent accidents and ensure the well-being of all crew members and project personnel.

Here is just a small sample of the different jobs you can find at each stage in the lifecycle of an offshore wind farm and its supply chain. You’ll find out more about each of these stages and the supply chain in the next module!

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An asset manager is vital in ensuring offshore wind assets' efficient, safe, and profitable operation while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and stakeholder expectations. Assets are all the key pieces of equipment within a wind farm, including the turbines. Here are some examples of what an asset manager typically does:

• Set performance targets to measure and optimise the performance of the offshore wind assets – basically making sure we know the wind farm is being as efficient as possible.
• Manage the financial aspects of the offshore wind farm, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost control.
• Identify opportunities to reduce downtime and extend the lifespan of offshore wind turbines, so that we can generate as much clean energy as possible
• Identify and assess risks to the offshore wind assets, including technical failures, regulatory changes, environmental factors, etc.

Specialist diving companies train and provide teams of divers who support RWE offshore wind at several stages throughout the supply chain. Diving is a highly specialised activity, so it's only suitable for individuals with lots of training behind them! Here are some more examples of their responsibilities:

• Perform routine maintenance tasks on underwater equipment and structures, such as cleaning, painting, and repairing minor damage.
• During the installation phase of offshore wind farms, divers assist with tasks such as seabed surveys, positioning of foundations, and installation of underwater cables.
• Inspect subsea structures such as foundations, cables, and underwater equipment to ensure they are intact and functioning properly.

Diving is an exciting career, but it's certainly high-risk!

Offshore wind coordinators play a pivotal role in managing various aspects of the day-to-day operations to ensure the efficient and safe functioning of the offshore wind farm. Here are some examples of their responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain operational plans and schedules for routine maintenance, inspections, and repairs of offshore wind turbines and associated infrastructure.
• Monitor the performance of offshore wind turbines and ancillary equipment, collect and analyse energy production, downtime, and operational efficiency data.
• Develop and implement procedures for responding to emergencies and incidents, such as equipment failures, weather events, or safety incidents.
• Manage the procurement of spare parts, tools, and consumables required for ongoing maintenance and repairs of offshore wind turbines.
• Implement initiatives to improve operational efficiency, such as predictive maintenance programmes or technology upgrades.

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Environmental consultants are important in the development phase of offshore wind projects. They assess and mitigate potential environmental impacts associated with a project. In other words, they're problem-solvers that lower any risks associated with the environment! Here's a breakdown of what they typically do:

• Conduct assessments to identify and evaluate potential impacts of the offshore wind farm on the surrounding environment, i.e. marine ecosystems, wildlife habitats, water quality, air quality, coastal communities, etc.
• Navigate complex regulatory frameworks to ensure compliance with local, regional, and national environmental laws and regulations.
• Engage with local communities, environmental groups, and government agencies to gather input, address concerns, and incorporate feedback into the project planning to ensure transparency and avoid conflicts!

An offshore wind turbine technician's primary responsibility is to ensure the wind turbines' optimal performance, reliability, and safety. They’re critical to ensuring the wind farm produces the most amount of electricity possible over its lifetime. Here's an overview of what a wind turbine technician might do:

• Travel via a special vessel to the offshore wind farm regularly, where they conduct routine inspections of offshore wind turbines and associated equipment to identify signs of wear, damage, or malfunction.
• Problem-solve and fix faults – these could be electrical, mechanical, or hydraulic issues that may arise during operation and stop a turbine from working properly
• Adhere to strict health and safety protocols and procedures to minimise the risk of accidents or injuries while climbing, working at heights or in challenging offshore environments!
• Collect data on turbine performance, energy production, and maintenance activities using different monitoring systems and software tools.

The OIM is responsible for coordinating all offshore installation activities related to wind farm construction. Here are some examples of what they do:

• Oversee the installation of wind turbine components, foundations, substation platforms, inter-array cables (a type of electrical cable used in offshore wind farms to connect individual wind turbines within a wind farm to each other and an offshore substation) and other infrastructure.
• Ensure that all installation activities adhere to strict protocols and regulations and are done to the right standard to make sure the project is a success
• Make sure everything is well planned so that our colleagues, equipment and supplies are all in the right place at the right time so that the project stays on track.
• Have a very strong focus on health and safety, making sure everyone is operating in a safe way so there are no injuries or accidents.

Welders help to fuse together different types of materials – usually metals – using different techniques, including intense heat or electron beams. They are needed to support both the installation and maintenance of wind turbines and tend to work for specialist engineering companies or are freelance. Here's an overview of how welders contribute to the offshore wind farm supply chain:

• Fabricate and weld various components of the offshore wind structures, including the support structures, foundations, transition pieces, and platforms.
• Inspect their welds to ensure they meet quality standards and specifications.
• Work closely with different teams within the supply chain to coordinate work activities and ensure that project milestones are met.

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In the development phase of the offshore wind farm, project developers are crucial for initiating, planning, and progressing the project from conception to the point where it is ready for construction. Here's a breakdown of what a project developer typically does during this phase:

• Research potential offshore wind farm sites based on factors such as wind resources, water depth, seabed conditions, etc.
• Perform feasibility studies to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the proposed offshore wind farm sites.
• Engage with relevant regulatory bodies and stakeholders to understand the legal and regulatory frameworks governing offshore wind development.

• Develop a comprehensive project plan outlining the scope, timeline, budget, and milestones for the development phase.

• Work with engineers, designers, and consultants to bring the project to life!

• The supply chain development manager plays a vital role in maximising supply chain opportunities (in other words, enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, improving collaboration, etc.) and supporting offshore wind projects' success. Supply chains include all the various businesses and organisations that supply different services, parts and equipment to the project.

Here's a breakdown of what a supply chain development manager will typically do:

• Build strong relationships with suppliers to foster collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement, making sure we get the best quality parts and services.
• Streamline supply chain processes to minimise risks, delays, reduce lead times, and increase efficiency – ensuring the project stays on track
• Integrate sustainability considerations into supply chain decision-making to minimise environmental impact, promote ethical sourcing practices, and meet regulatory requirements.