Published: July 30, 2024
Author: Neil Scrivener

Dean Drinkwater joins UK Onshore Wind Industry Taskforce. 

We are excited to announce that Dean Drinkwater, CEO of Hutchinson, has been appointed to the UK Government’s Onshore Wind Industry Taskforce. This taskforce is a crucial initiative aimed at significantly increasing onshore wind deployment to help Britain achieve its goal of becoming a clean energy superpower by 2030.

The UK Government has formed the Onshore Wind Industry Taskforce to accelerate the deployment of onshore wind projects, a key component in its strategy to double onshore wind capacity by 2030. Dean Drinkwater, CEO of Hutchinson, joins a distinguished group of leaders from various sectors, including government, industry, and finance, to address the barriers and opportunities within the onshore wind sector.

The taskforce, chaired by Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, and Matthieu Hue, CEO of EDF Renewables, aims to identify and mitigate the financial, regulatory, and policy challenges that hinder the efficient construction and operation of onshore wind projects. It will also ensure that these projects are developed sustainably, with minimal impact on the local environment and the broader electricity system​.

One of the core objectives of the taskforce is to enhance the UK’s engineering capabilities and strengthen the domestic supply chain. By fostering strong collaboration between the industry and government, the taskforce aims to support the UK’s clean energy ambitions and facilitate investment in local jobs, skills, and innovation.

The UK Government has formed the Onshore Wind Industry Taskforce to accelerate the deployment of onshore wind projects, a key component in its strategy to double onshore wind capacity by 2030. Dean Drinkwater, CEO of Hutchinson, joins a distinguished group of leaders from various sectors, including government, industry, and finance, to address the barriers and opportunities within the onshore wind sector.

The taskforce, chaired by Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, and Matthieu Hue, CEO of EDF Renewables, aims to identify and mitigate the financial, regulatory, and policy challenges that hinder the efficient construction and operation of onshore wind projects. It will also ensure that these projects are developed sustainably, with minimal impact on the local environment and the broader electricity system​.

One of the core objectives of the taskforce is to enhance the UK’s engineering capabilities and strengthen the domestic supply chain. By fostering strong collaboration between the industry and government, the taskforce aims to support the UK’s clean energy ambitions and facilitate investment in local jobs, skills, and innovation.

"I am honoured to join the UK Government’s Onshore Wind Industry Taskforce. At Hutchinson, we are committed to driving innovation and sustainability in the energy sector. This taskforce presents a significant opportunity to address the challenges facing onshore wind deployment and to strengthen our supply chain. I look forward to collaborating with industry leaders to help the UK achieve its ambitious 2030 clean energy targets and establish Britain as a global leader in renewable energy."

Dean Drinkwater
Hutchinson CEO

Dean Drinkwater’s participation will bring Hutchinson’s extensive expertise in engineering and project management to the forefront of this national effort. His involvement underscores Hutchinson’s commitment to supporting the UK’s transition to renewable energy and contributing to the development of a robust and sustainable onshore wind sector.

The taskforce will meet regularly throughout 2024, culminating in a formal policy statement that will outline a comprehensive roadmap to 2030 and beyond. This statement will address the challenges and opportunities in achieving accelerated onshore wind deployment and will set forth actionable commitments to drive this agenda forward.

We look forward to the significant advancements that will emerge from this collaborative effort and are proud of Dean Drinkwater’s role in shaping the future of the UK’s onshore wind industry.

For more information, visit the UK Government’s Onshore Wind Industry Taskforce

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About the Author
Neal Scrivener
Business Development

With a background in automotive coatings, Neal has been a sales professional for more than 30 years. For 15 of those, he’s been in the steel industry – working across a range of sectors including renewables, rail and marine. He’s responsible for Hutchinson Engineering’s client relationships.

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