UK-based design, engineering and technology company Enventi announced that John Smith has joined the company as shareholder and Director and in conjunction, has launched a significant initiative aimed at producing a fullyintegrated design for an offshore wind farm, deployable at £100/MWh.
John brings a wealth of experience to Enventi having occupied several senior management roles including CEO of tier-one offshore construction company Subsea 7 and subsequently, of Australiaheadquartered EPC contractor Clough where he led a successful turnaround. A chartered mechanical engineer with 30 years of offshore construction experience from bases in the UK, Norway and Australia, he has recently been appointed Executive Vice Chairman of emerging offshore installation company OIG and is a former President of the International Marine Contractors Association.
The strengthening of Enventiʼs management team coincides with the launch of an initiative aimed at producing a fully-integrated, life-cycle design of an offshore wind farm capable of delivering electricity to the grid at a cost approaching £100/MWh, based around the ʻelimination of offshore constructionʼ activities (EOC) through innovative deployment techniques and mass-production methodologies.
Commenting on the decision to become involved in Enventi, John Smith said “Momentum is gathering in offshore wind energy generation but costs need to come down to ensure a sustainable industry. I have been impressed by the thorough holistic analysis carried out by Enventi since their formation which provides a solid platform for further development. I am delighted to join the team at this time.”
“We believe that a fundamental change in manufacturing, construction and maintenance methodologies is required to drive costs down to a target of £100/MWh which in turn is necessary if the UK Governments target of 18GW of installed capacity is to be achieved by 2020. This will be Enventiʼs focus.”
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Offshore WIND staff, April 25, 2012