Today, at Wind Europe Annual Event 2022 in Bilbao, BalticWind.EU is proud to announce the first Baltic Offshore Wind Awards.

With this award we want to recognise the TOP 20 Leaders of our industry who have had the biggest impact on offshore wind development in the Baltic Sea region in the past year. 

We want to recognise exceptional people who focus on innovation and out-of-the-box solutions in their business. Those who are constantly looking for new opportunities for development, inspiring others to act and who consistently build their personal brand and lead projects supporting the development of regional cooperation in the offshore wind energy industry in the Baltic Sea region.

Welcome to the first edition of the list!

Our selection was based on an extensive list of nominations submitted by BalticWind.EU readers. Many of the submissions contained elaborate supporting comments. Thank you very much for all of them.

The final selection of the winners was made among the BalticWind.EU editorial board. We are certain that this list highlights those who have had the greatest impact on the development of our industry over the past year 2021.

• Malgosia Bartosik, Deputy CEO of WindEurope is recognised for being a long time ambassador and charismatic advocate of the wind industry in Europe and one of most influential representatives of the Baltic Sea region in the industry.

• Helene Biström, Head of Business Area Wind at Vattenfall is recognised for placing biodiversity at the heart of the industry’s development priorities and for successfully promoting sustainability as a cornerstone for companies in the offshore wind industry.

• Hanne Storm Edlefsen, Vice President for Energy Islands at Energinet is recognised for leading the way in the industry by promoting groundbreaking initiatives and technological solutions such as Energy Islands.

• Ditlev Engel, CEO of Business Area Energy Systems, DNV is recognised for inspiring valuable discussions and implementing ambitious strategies of decarbonisation and electrification of Europe together with the industry.

• Anu Eslas, Head of Offshore Wind, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications for Estonia is recognised for being a driving force in preparing the administration to work with stakeholders and actively supporting the integration of the offshore industry in Estonia and the region by inspiring many industry discussions and initiatives.

• Janusz Gajowiecki, CEO of Polish Wind Energy Association is recognised for building an understanding of the offshore wind energy potential in Poland, which is the basis for the enthusiasm and commitment of the administration and industry organisations in the preparation, adoption and implementation of the Sector Deal.

• Daiva Garbaliauskaitė, Deputy Minister of Energy of Lithuania is recognised for for positioning offshore wind energy as one of the pillars of Lithuania’s energy transition and for being an empowering advocate for Lithuania’s ambitions in the European arena.

• Rytis Kėvelaitis, Former Vice Minister of Energy of Lithuania, CEO of Energy Unlimited is recognised for being one of the most active advocates of Lithuania’s energy transition and for building the foundations of stakeholder cooperation in the region.

• Teemu Loikkanen, Regional Manager Finland and the Baltics at OX2 is recognised for being an effective promoter of the values and highest standards set by a company that is the undisputed pioneer of renewable energy in the region.

• Joyce von Marschall, Project Manager Development Offshore Wind at RWE Renewables is recognised for being the driving force behind the transfer of good industry practices from the most mature and experienced markets to countries that are in the process of starting to invest in offshore wind energy.

• Holger Matthiesen, Head of Continental Europe Region at Aker Offshore Wind is recognised for his long-term commitment to the development of offshore wind energy around the Baltic Sea and for his openness to share knowledge and experience with all market stakeholders in the region.

• Anni Mikkonen, CEO of Finnish Wind Association is recognised for integrating the industry and setting the course for discussions on the future of offshore wind energy in Finland.

• Morten Petersen, Member of European Parliament, Vice-Chair Committee on Industry, Research and Energy is recognised for the effective preparation of the critical EU regulatory framework and for the particular advocacy of the interests of the Baltic Sea region in terms of energy transition and offshore wind energy development.

• Eva Philipp, Director Environment & Sustainability Business Area Wind at Vattenfall is recognised for placing environmental issues at the heart of development priorities for offshore wind projects and inspiring the industry to include biodiversity among its objectives.

• Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy is recognised  for leading Europe’s ambition to make offshore wind one of the pillars of European energy independence.

• Paul Stormoen, CEO of OX2 is recognised for setting the highest standards, commitment to the mission of being a pioneer in driving the transition toward a 100% sustainable energy sector and consistency in building a leadership position in the wind energy industry.

• Andris Vanags, Managing Director of Latvian Wind Energy Association is recognised for inspiring industry integration and cooperation as well as actively promoting Latvia’s role in the development of offshore wind energy in the Baltic Sea region.

• Valerie Wagner, Head of Marketing & Communications at Anker Foundations is recognised for demonstrating that there is great potential in research and development for the offshore wind industry and for being the leader of one of the more innovative start-ups in the industry.

• Mariusz Witoński, CEO of Polish Offshore Wind Energy Society is recognised for building an understanding of the offshore wind energy potential in Poland, which is the basis for the enthusiasm and commitment of the administration and industry organisations in the preparation, adoption and implementation of the Sector Deal.

• Ireneusz Zyska, Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment of Republic of Poland is recognised for building an understanding of the offshore wind energy potential in Poland, which is the basis for the enthusiasm and commitment of the administration and industry organisations in the preparation, adoption and implementation of the Sector Deal.