RPS : New program allows RPS consultants to support the transition to offshore wind

As countries all over the world pursue the transition to cleaner energy, project owners and communities need experts with the skills and experience to tackle this challenge.

Offshore wind is a key focus for this change. So to ensure our people are across the latest developments and equipped to help clients achieve their project investigation and development goals, RPS has rolled out a 12-month offshore wind learning and development program for consultants in the Australia and Asia Pacific region.

RPS has long recognised the need to invest in offshore wind developments. And demand for creating an offshore wind industry has grown significantly in Australia and Asia Pacific as businesses and governments look to meet net-zero targets and secure clean energy supply.

The emerging offshore wind industry will need skilled practitioners, experts and leaders. In response, we have launched a bespoke in-house offshore wind program called 'Elevate'.

Upskilling consultants in offshore wind

The year-long course covers the full spectrum of the offshore wind development lifecycle topics, from probity and planning (including marine spatial planning) to decommissioning and project-life extension.

Elevate will make sure our people have the skills, knowledge, and technical insights they need to contribute to offshore wind projects, both locally and around the world.

RPS Executive Strategy Manager, Anna Crameri created the program as a learning opportunity, and to utilise and capture the extensive expertise that exists within RPS' ranks.

"The driver behind creating the Elevate program was to give people the opportunity to connect and learn from our global offshore wind knowledge.

"RPS has so many talented people in the offshore wind industry here in Australia and the Asia Pacific region, but also has many people with readily transferable skills in onshore wind, oil and gas, and other infrastructure asset types.

"Elevate gives them the opportunity to develop offshore wind-specific skills, and the knowledge to assist with expanding this rapidly growing industry."

The course is based on knowledge and experience from our diverse team - including environmental approval consultants, marine scientists, project managers, deal advisory specialists, and economists.

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RPS has worked on offshore wind farms around the world, including Ormonde Offshore Wind Farm in the east Irish Sea. Image courtesy of Ben Barden Photography.

RPS has more than 20 years at the forefront of the offshore wind industry in the UK, Europe, America, Australia and Asia.

We've worked on the world's largest offshore wind farms, Hornsea One, Two and Three and are currently supporting the Round 4 EIA and HRA for the bp and EnBW consortium in the UK, Australia's first offshore wind development Star of the South, and Equinor's Firefly floating offshore wind project in South Korea.

The rapid growth of offshore wind in the Asia Pacific region is what drew Project Director, Lance Furniss to the course.

"I'm really excited to be part of the Elevate program. I spent time in the UK working for offshore wind farm developers, and I'm looking forward to refreshing some of that knowledge. In particular, the changes in technology and the emerging market over this side of the world.

"RPS has a wealth of great people with experience in offshore wind. Investing in a program that allows us to extract all that expert knowledge in a structured way - what an amazing opportunity!"

Read more about RPS' renewable expertise here. And check out our renewable job opportunities here (note the expression of interest option too).