Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG) has welcomed four new members of staff and moved into premises within the Energy Transition Zone (ETZ).
Following the appointment of five new board members in 2022, and to meet the demand for its membership services, the not-for-profit organisation has expanded its core team to include an operations manager, a business development executive, and two administrators.
Shona Teale, AREG’s newly appointed operations manager, has spent her career working within the energy sector. Most recently she was responsible for managing projects within the energy transition team at OPITO, where she had a focus on the North Sea Transition Deal and working towards safeguarding the future of the industry.
Having worked alongside AREG in her role at OPITO, Shona said: “I have always admired AREG and the work it is doing to encourage companies to move into the renewables space and for its support to young people through the Renewable Energy Young Professionals Network.
“It is such an exciting time to be involved with AREG as it celebrates its twentieth anniversary. With a long-standing presence in the energy sector, supporting transition before the government had set its net zero goals, AREG is a cornerstone of the industry. I would love for it to be a name synonymous with the energy transition and sustainability and to expand its offering and membership services beyond Aberdeen and into the global market.”
Chloe Giles, business development executive, will work alongside Shona to support AREG’s growth, looking into new opportunities for companies of all sizes and helping to expand its membership base.
Sarah Wells and Tania Qadir will work together as administrators to support the wider AREG team and the diverse membership community. They will all be based in ETZ’s W-Zero-1 building in Altens.
AREG’s mission is to help its members take advantage of increasing opportunities in renewables and to champion the sector, helping build Scotland’s reputation for excellence in energy.
Jean Morrison, AREG’s chairperson, said: “With the Scottish Government’s target to generate 50% of the country’s overall energy demand from renewables by 2030 and reach net zero by 2045, there is a growing demand for the energy sector to transition to greener sources of power.
“AREG has something unique to offer companies transitioning their products and services to meet the needs of a greener future. The move to W-Zero-1 and the appointment of the new team will enable AREG to enhance its support for our members and help them meet the challenges ahead.
“Our membership spans many industries and geographies which are collectively building momentum around renewable development, and we are seeing a broader range of companies joining us as awareness about the climate crisis deepens and there is an increased urgency for businesses to adapt.
“The success of the energy transition globally depends on the evolution of the energy industry from fossil fuels to low-carbon sources of power by the second half of this century and AREG welcomes all organisations working towards net zero.
“I’d like to personally thank Aberdein Considine and TAQA for the support they have provided with the purchase and installation of IT equipment for our new office.”
After hosting its first Energy Futures conference and exhibition last year, AREG has fronted a series of ‘meet the developer’ webinars, and networks throughout 2023 and is set to launch its 2024 series of Energy Futures events and sponsorship opportunities.
AREG celebrates its twenty-first anniversary in 2024 and is one of the original energy transition organisations. It has led and supported major renewables projects and the growing interest in scaling up low-carbon solutions to enable net zero.