Attendees will receive a breakdown on recent U.S. immigration policy changes affecting offshore wind development, updates from the GWO, GWEC, the United Nations and more
For Immediate Release: July 8, 2020
Media Contact: Melinda Skea | [email protected] | 410-779-1362
Baltimore – The Oceantic Network’s 2020 International Partnering Forum (IPF) will host IPF Livestream: Global Market this Thursday, July 9 starting at 8:55 a.m. EST. IPF continues to be a platform for special industry announcements and breaking news from the U.S. and global offshore wind industries — this Livestream will be no exception.
Registered attendees will receive a breakdown from Fragomen’s Rachel Beardsley on recent U.S. immigration policy changes affecting offshore wind development, updates from the Global Wind Organization on implementation of global regulation and safety standards, and join RWE, Equinor, EnBW, and MHI Vestas to analyze the global offshore wind market. Participants also will gain a comprehensive understanding of the global offshore wind industry from sessions featuring influential organizations like the Global Wind Energy Council and Avangrid.
The Livestream series, taking place June through August, is a collection of events featuring high-level industry CEOs, experts, and public officials discussing market challenges, regional cooperation, innovation, grid transmission, the future of U.S. offshore wind and more. The series will also feature offshore wind updates from coastal states representatives including New Jersey Gov. Murphy and Virginia Gov, Northam, and networking events like WindMatch™ one-on-one networking, CareerMatch™ virtual job fair, and an exhibit hall.
IPF Livestream
Presented by the Oceantic Network
Welcome & Introduction
8:55 a.m. EST
On Point with Global Wind Energy Council
9:00 a.m. EST
Offshore wind is a global industry. Ben Backwell, CEO of Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), will offer his insights on the developments and future of global offshore wind. GWEC represent over 1,500 companies, organizations and institutions in more than 80 countries; Ben brings the knowledge and experience of the global wind supply chain to the stage to present a comprehensive understanding of the industry.
Industry Insights with GWO
9:20 a.m. EST
The Global Wind Organization (GWO) is a leader in safety and technical training. It’s North America Committee is currently establishing standards for safety and technical training across the continent, and is encouraging training centers, community colleges, trade union and others to deliver GWO standards for the wind energy workforce. The recently elected Chair and Vice Chair of the GWO North America Committee, Wesley Witt, Head of Quality Management and HSE: Americas at Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE), and Simon Hayes, Head of Health, Safety and Environment for Ørsted and the offshore business in North America, will share the committee’s plans and goals for collaborating with and supporting the U.S. offshore wind industry.
Global Offshore Wind: Challenges and Opportunities
10:00 a.m. EST
The International Energy Agency’s (IEA) 2019 Offshore Wind Outlook projected that by 2040 at least $1 trillion USD would be invested in offshore wind. If this level of investment is realized, offshore wind installations would comprise approximately 10 percent of all global renewable power plants. The IEA also estimates that offshore wind could globally generate approximately 420,000 terawatt-hours annually – more than 18 times current global electricity demand. This panel presents a global overview of the opportunities and challenges relating to market disruption, green recovery schemes, and floating offshore wind. Panelists Sven Utermohlen, COO offshore wind at RWE Renewables, Stewart Mullin, Global Director of public affairs and institutional relations at MHI Vestas, Stefan Kansy, Director of New Projects at EnBW, and Siri Espedal, Kindem, president of US business at Equinor, join Darius Snieckus, Editor-in-Chief of Recharge Magazine to examine different ways that the U.S. can keep itself relevant as interest in OSW surges in Asian markets and continues to steadily expand in Europe.
Large Turbine Upscaling Trends
11:00 a.m. EST
Current industry trends show a steady increase in offshore turbine rating, which is a primary factor associated with recent decreases in offshore wind project capital expenditures (CapEx). These cost decreases can be attributed to system wide efficiencies that result in fewer foundations, fewer installations, and lower O&M, as well as many other benefits. Higher turbine ratings can also lead to expanded vessel requirements, constrained manufacturing and port facilities, increase turbine mass, and increased risk of weather delays during installation. Join NREL’s Walt Musial, Matt Shields, and Evan Gaertner as well as Bruce Harland, vice president of Crowley Maritime, who will cover the benefits and challenges of turbine upscaling and how the industry is addressing these challenges.
New Work Visa Restrictions and Impact on U.S. OSW Growth
Noon EST
On June 24 the White House issued a Presidential Proclamation to suspend entry for all H-1B, H-2B, and J-1 nonimmigrants and their dependents into the United States with limited expectations. Rachel Beardsley, partner at Fragomen, will join us to provide an overview of the proclamation, including an analysis of the exemptions and waivers included in the proclamation, its impact on the U.S. offshore wind industry, and recommendations for future workforce planning.
Developer Town Hall with Avangrid
12:30 p.m. EST
The Developer Town Hall provides an opportunity for IPF attendees to hear directly from offshore wind developers about the status and progress of U.S. projects. Avangrid Renewables’ Senior Director of New Business Eric Thumma will present an update on the developer’s U.S. assets and outlook through the remainder of 2020 and into 2021. Audience questions are encouraged.
A conversation with Ignace Beguin Billecocq of the UN Global Compact
12:45 p.m. EST
The United Nations has proclaimed the Decade of Action for the world to deliver on its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The United Nations Global Compact, the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world, is driving business actions and ambitions to contribute to this important agenda. To reach the SDG goals by 2030, the ocean has a crucial role to play. By working together, companies, governments and science can advance ocean stewardship and secure a healthy and productive ocean. Ignace Beguin Billecocq, manager, Environment and Climate for the UN Global Compact, will provide insight on the role offshore renewables will play in delivering on the SDGs and the Paris Agreement, how local governments and companies can support these efforts, and the role of the UN Global Compact.
Full schedule available here
For press credentials, contact Melinda Skea at [email protected].
For more information, to request a press pass, or to arrange an interview, contact Melinda Skea at [email protected] or 410-779-1362.
Additional information:
- 2020 IPF website
- IPF Media Kit for press use (Credit: Oceantic Network)
The Oceantic Network is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to establishing a robust offshore wind supply chain in the U.S. It advances the industry forward through education, facilitating partnerships, and events, including the International Offshore Wind Partnership Forum, the largest offshore wind conference in America. Learn more at oceantic.org.
