The European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) is set to kick off from 20-22 June 2023, attracting policymakers, industry leaders, and experts in the field of renewable energy and efficient energy use. The largest conference of its kind in Europe, will be held in a hybrid format, combining both physical presence in Brussels and online participation. One of the notable sessions during the conference will delve into the skills needed for the offshore wind energy sector. The session, titled “Harnessing the potential of offshore wind energy through skills development” is an initiative coordinated by the Pomorskie Regional EU Office in Brussels and Rumia Invest Park from Poland – leader of the Pomeranian Offshore Wind Energy Competence Centre. The debate will take place on 20 June 2023, from 16:30 to 18:00.

With the theme of ‘Accelerating the clean energy transition – towards lower bills and greater skills’, this year’s edition of EUSEW promises to be a dynamic platform for discussing sustainable energy issues, exploring new policy developments, sharing best practices, and generating innovative ideas.

The importance of the session on skills for offshore wind development stems from the realization that the clean energy transition, as outlined in the REPowerEU plan, requires an accelerated deployment of renewable energy sources. However, a significant obstacle in achieving this goal lies in the scarcity of skilled workers within the offshore wind energy sector. As the offshore wind industry continues to expand, there is an urgent need to adapt the education system to equip individuals with the necessary competencies for this modern economy.

Among the panellists are: Agnieszka Rodak – CEO of Rumia Invest Park, Iván Pineda – Director of Innovation of WindEurope, Atle Blomgren – Chief Scientist from NORCE Norwegian Research Institute, Niels-Erik Clausen – Associate Professor from DTU Wind and Energy Systems and Audrey Maciver – Director of Energy Transition and Net Zero Highlands and Islands Enterprise of HIE. They bring together a diverse range of expertise and perspectives. Their collective knowledge and experience will contribute to a comprehensive discussion on skills development in the offshore wind energy sector, addressing both the challenges and the potential solutions.

Agnieszka Rodak, CEO of Rumia Invest Park indicates – the debate will shed light on the challenges faced in organizing an education system that caters to the needs of the offshore wind energy sector. It will also examine the crucial role of entities that provide training opportunities and issue licenses and certificates for offshore work. I would present our activities that we carry out in Poland as part of the Pomeranian Offshore Wind Energy Competence Centre including EDU OFFSHORE WIND 2023 fair organized in Gdańsk for more than 5,000 pupils and students. I believe that by sharing experiences and insights, the debate aims to identify the best practices and strategies that can be universally recommended for all EU countries.

This session holds significant relevance in the context of the new geopolitical and energy market realities. The clean energy transition is no longer merely an ideal; it is a pressing necessity. By fostering the growth of the offshore wind energy sector, we can ensure a sustainable and environmentally friendly future for Europe. However, to achieve this, we must tackle the skills gap head-on and invest in the education and training required to prepare a skilled workforce.

For more information and to register for the EUSEW Policy Conference, visit: https://interactive.eusew.eu/register/