The news today of the cancellation of Hornsea 4, the North Sea development once set to be one of the biggest offshore wind farms in the world, came as a reminder that the renewables sector, key to the UK’s net zero progress, has multiple challenges.
Among these are the supply chain costs that scuppered Hornsea 4, and ultimately mean that for Ørsted it made “no economic sense”.
But they also include the challenge of consulting with and winning-over communities some of whom are solidly against new wind farm or grid developments; recruiting a workforce with the right skills; minimising the impact on nature of new infrastructure; working out how to extend the lives of turbines; what to do when they finally are decommissioned.
These are the issues to which workers in the sector are applying creativity, and eight young, or new to the sector, people were last week recognised in awards by Scottish Renewables, highlighting the role they have in creating solutions at all levels.
Their work tells a story of where renewables are at, and the problem-solving already happening in Scotland. Their words are also a reminder of how tough the challenge is, and how policy is also crucial.
Millie Zagulak, a strategic advisor, for instance, outlined the difficulties in the industry over the past year. “2025 has already proven challenging for the renewables sector. In particular, offshore wind, is experiencing a noticeable slowdown. Many developers are seeking buyers, downsizing project teams to core staff, or halting projects altogether. This decline stems from difficulties in securing financing, uncertainty around government support mechanisms, long grid connection queues, and persistent procurement and supply chain bottlenecks.”
Extending the lifespan of wind turbines
Obey Suleman, PhD student, AMRL, University Of Strathclyde
“Cast iron is generally recyclable, however, the associated processes are often energy-intensive and costly. My research, sponsored by the Advanced Materials Research Laboratory, National Manufacturing Institute Scotland and Renewable Parts Ltd., focuses on developing material-based solutions to extend the lifespan of cast iron components in wind turbines, a crucial step toward a more circular, efficient, and net-zero future.”
His work is about closing “existing knowledge gaps that limit the operational life of key turbine components” and supporting “remanufacturing and recirculation efforts”. Ultimately this will mean less waste sent to landfill and will lower the demand for raw material and reliance on carbon-intensive imports – in other words a lower carbon footprint.
Suleyman’s work began in a master’s project, in which he investigated the possibilities of improving the circularity of cast iron and wind turbine components. What drives him, he says, “is the belief that engineering not only solves technical problems, but it can also play a central role in building a sustainable future”.
“What excites me most is the opportunity to work on solutions that contribute directly to net-zero targets, while also influencing how materials are used, and reused.
Wind turbine remanufacturing is an area where high-quality data is still limited, especially in relation to cast iron components.”
'Controlling costs' to make wind farms deliverable
Marta Bera, cost controller, Muir Mhòr Offshore Wind Farm
“This role,” she says, “is especially important in the context of large-scale, capital-intensive developments like floating offshore wind, where innovative technologies, extended timelines, and high financial exposure present unique challenges. Effective cost control is essential to keeping projects on budget, maintaining financial viability, and attracting continued investment.
“Ultimately, I help transform ambitious renewable energy goals into financially deliverable outcomes... What I enjoy most is being at the centre of decision-making, where finance meets engineering. I work alongside multidisciplinary teams to turn complex, innovative ideas into financially deliverable projects."
Renewable energy supply chains, she notes, are under pressure, "facing shortages of critical components, a shortage of skilled labour, and global supply chain disruptions that can delay projects and increase costs".
"High upfront costs, particularly for emerging technologies like floating offshore wind farms, are also a barrier to progress.
"These obstacles slow the deployment of renewable infrastructure and add financial strain. Addressing them will require substantial investment in grid infrastructure, improved supply chain management, and financial incentives to reduce initial costs. Coordinated action between governments, industry, and investors is essential to advancing the renewable energy sector and achieving a sustainable, low-carbon future."
‘Genuinely’ engaging with communities
Ellen Kane, stakeholder manager, Scottish Power Renewables
Early stakeholder engagement, says Kane, “is key to the success of projects in renewable energy”. Building relationships with communities, and understanding their needs, takes time and energy. For Kane this involves meeting local businesses, going into schools to meet children.
“I want stakeholders’ and communities’ voices and lived experiences to genuinely shape the decisions we make about projects that are either in their local area or impact the work that they do. Often, people will talk about project happening to them, rather than with them; I’m driven to do everything I can to avoid the former approach.”
“I’m always eager to understand what communities and stakeholders expect from projects, in order to design an approach to engagement that builds in these expectations, rather than shoehorning these in later (for example, working with educators and local businesses to identify educational and skills needs to encourage a resilient and ready renewables workforce, working with under-represented groups to ascertain preferred communication styles to ensure our messages reach the right people, at the right time, in the right way.”
Reducing emissions in windfarm construction
Megan Martin, design engineer, Tony Gee and Partners LLP
Martin’s work as a design engineer revolves around optimising the design of wind turbine foundations. What she has done has resulted in reduced carbon emissions associated with the construction of the turbine foundation.
For SSE’s flagship Viking Wind Farm in the Shetland Islands, Megan took a lead role in designing the wind turbine generator foundations at both optioneering and detailed design stages. She investigated and proposed an alternative approach to WTG foundation geometry which realised multiple benefits when compared to the reference design. These included a 30% reduction in concrete usage, a 22% reduction in steel reinforcement usage, a 26% reduction in embedded carbon and £9m in materials cost savings.
“Reducing emissions from even just one element of wind farm construction,” she says, “helps to reduce the payback period of the wind farm. Innovation and optimisation through design is also important for materials efficiency. Reducing material quantities helps to reduce demand on materials that are common across the construction industry and may be needed elsewhere. This reduces both the carbon and the cost for the projects I am working on.”
Martin also works on life extension projects, ensuring that the production of green energy from existing wind farms can continue for longer.
“Since the first wind turbine was built in my local area I have loved wind turbines with my dream being to work on wind farm projects, this led me to a career in civil engineering.”
“Improving transmission capability at key pinch points across the country will ensure that we can use all of the renewable energy produced across our onshore and offshore wind farms without needing to curtail supplies due to limitations in grid capacity. Also, increasing wind farm developments across the country will improve the balance of renewable energy sources which would reduce strain on the grid.
Saving the birds
Lewis Bates, Overhead Line Project Engineer, SSEN Transmission
Lewis Bates worked on an innovation project involving the remote installation of bird flight developers. This, he says, “is important for renewables as it will increase the safety, time and efficiency of overhead line construction and ensure the local bird population is protected around the increasing number of overhead line routes.
“What drove me in this innovation project was an interest in drone technology and seeing an opportunity to utilise this to assist OHL construction and maintenance from a safety and efficiency point of view, as well as to protect the local wildlife around our OHLs.
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Reducing carbon in the construction process
Reuben Sharp, apprentice Electrician, LOC Hire
“Through the use of these cabins," he says, "we support worker welfare with eco-friendly solutions and in turn also help the renewables sector align daily operations with its environment goals. This therefore proves that green energy can not only facilitate housing and businesses but as a matter of fact, the way they are constructed as well.”
The most enjoyable aspect, he says, of his work in solar solutions “is being able to wake up everyday knowing I am in a line of work that I have always dreamed of being in”.
“As an electrical apprentice the possibilities for work are limitless and this variety of work allows me to be able to apply these skills elsewhere in the business including the ECO range that we offer.
Embracing neurodiversity in the sector
Millie Zagulak, strategy advisor, Xodus
Zagulak’s “day job” is as a strategy advisor at engineering consultancy Xodus. In it, she helps shape direction and business planning, and supporting experts across the energy sector in “driving growth and establishing a foothold in future markets and new energies”. The projects she contributes to are focused on offshore wind and sustainability.
But the chief reason for her receiving the award is her role as co-chair of Neurodiversity Network (ND-X) and the advocating she has done for “greater understanding and acceptance of neurodiversity in the workplace”.
Almost one-fifth of employees now identify as neurodivergent, and she notes, “the need for support, both formal, through HR, and informal, through employee groups like ND-X, is crucial”.
“Providing a safe space for individuals to seek support, learn about neurodiversity in the workplace, and share their stories should be a given in any organisation, especially in an industry like renewables, that’s leading the way in tackling the climate crisis and should equally lead by example in creating inclusive, people-centred workplaces that inspire the rest of the energy sector to follow.”
“As a neurodiverse person, I spent much of my formal education hiding this fact, worried about how others might perceive me if they knew. However, throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to receive support from friends, colleagues, and mentors that has enabled me to become ‘a loud voice’ in the room and advocate for those who may not yet have the confidence or resources to do the same.”
She adds: “Building a sustainable workforce means expanding the definition of talent and engaging those who might not traditionally consider a career in renewables.”
