NRW Opens Offshore Renewable Energy Programme Posts

The Natural Resources Wales is looking to expand its marine team to join its new Offshore Renewable Energy Programme (OREP).

This is an opportunity to be part of a programme of work that is designed to support sustainable offshore renewable energy such as wind, wave and tidal power, and join NRW team in making a difference for Wales.

James Moon, lead specialist advisor Offshore Renewable Energy explains more about the programme and the new roles:

“Offshore renewable energy is increasingly an area of high political, public and policy interest in Wales. This growth is driven by ambitious decarbonisation goals, a move towards a low carbon economy and declaration of a “Climate Emergency”. NRW is committed to supporting Government in addressing the climate and nature emergencies and to meet targets of 30% electricity generation from renewable energy by 2030.

“Offshore wind development already makes a significant contribution to meeting these renewable energy goals and has the potential to grow with the recent announcement for Round 4 offshore wind seabed leasing from The Crown Estate.

“Welsh Government has also recently adopted the Welsh National Marine Plan (WNMP), which provides an over-arching framework for the sustainable management of Welsh seas. Marine energy is a top priority with the objective to “contribute significantly to the decarbonisation of our economy and to our prosperity by increasing the amount of marine renewable energy generated”.

“Harnessing the vast wave and tidal resource around Wales is already in development with areas of interest in North and South Wales. Testing of prototype and full-scale wave and tidal stream devices has commenced with a number of prospective applicants also in the pipeline.”

A full list of the OREP posts can be seen below:

2 x Senior Marine Advisor: Offshore Renewable Energy – As one of NRW’s senior marine advisors, you’ll be responsible for coordinating and case managing NRW advice on development proposals. You will likely have expertise on environmental assessment, marine biology, ecology or coastal processes and be able to critically analyse technical reports and data.

Specialist Advisor: Marine Industry and Energy – As NRW’s marine industry and energy advisor, you’ll be responsible for providing expert advice on plans and policies for marine industries such as offshore wind.

Specialist Advisor: Marine and Coastal Physical Processes – As one of NRW’s marine and coastal physical processes specialist advisors, you’ll be responsible for providing expert advice on potential impacts and management of the marine environment. You will likely have expertise in environmental assessment and be able to critically analyse technical reports and data.

2 x Specialist Advisor: Marine Ornithology – As one of NRW’s maritime ornithology specialist advisors, you’ll be responsible for providing expert advice on potential impacts and management of the marine environment. You will likely have expertise in environmental assessment and be able to critically analyse technical reports and data.

Specialist Advisor: Marine Mammals – As one of NRW’s marine mammals specialist advisors, you’ll be responsible for providing expert advice on potential impacts and management of the marine environment. You will likely have expertise in environmental assessment and be able to critically analyse technical reports and data.

Specialist Advisor: Benthic Ecology – As one of NRW’s benthic ecology specialist advisors, you’ll be responsible for providing expert advice on potential impacts and management of the marine environment. You will likely have expertise in environmental assessment and be able to critically analyse technical reports and data.

Specialist Advisor: Marine and Estuarine Fish – As one of NRW’s marine and estuarine fish specialist advisors, you’ll be responsible for providing expert advice on potential impacts and management of the marine environment. You will likely have expertise in environmental assessment and be able to critically analyse technical reports and data.

2 x Senior Officer: Marine Licensing – As a Senior Officer in Marine Licensing, you will lead on complex licence determinations and decision making under marine permitting legislation and for carrying out appropriate technical assessments.

Senior Officer: Marine Licensing (Habitats Regulation Assessments) – As a Senior Officer in Marine Licensing specialising in Habitats Regulations Assessments, you will lead on complex licence determinations and decision making under marine permitting legislation and for carrying out appropriate technical assessments.

Senior Advisor: Regulatory Approaches – As NRWs Regulatory Approaches Senior Advisor, you’ll be responsible for working with internal and external customers, reviewing processes, developing guidance and training and providing expert advice on marine regulation.