Shell Recruits Taylor Hopkinson for Global Offshore Wind Expansion

Shell New Energies has selected Taylor Hopkinson as the preferred recruitment partner for global offshore wind activities.

The initial Framework Agreement runs for one year with the potential to extend beyond 2020.

Taylor Hopkinson CEO, Tom Hopkinson said: ”In the 15 years I have been working in the wind industry, a number of oil majors have come and gone. Today, with record low prices for wind turbines and solar panels and the energy transition finally gaining real traction, there are great opportunities for Shell to build on their 15 years’ experience and grow their wind business. We are delighted to have been selected from a strong field of competitors to be their global wind recruitment partner; playing our specialist role as the world continues to decarbonise the energy sector.”

Taylor Hopkinson will assist Shell in entering new and emerging geographical locations to support their global expansion in offshore wind.

The Dutch energy major formed the New Energies division in 2016 and has committed to investing on average USD 1-2 billion annually in New Energies until 2020, including power generation by solar, wind and gas. The company has also called on the government of the Netherlands to increase its 2030 offshore wind target to 20GW.

The Energy Transition Report issued back in April details Shell’s plans to expand offshore wind globally. Shell has acknowledged the need to “keep pace and catch up with society’s progress towards the Paris goals” and plans to half the amount of carbon dioxide produced for each unit of energy used by 2050.

The report cites that the “decline in costs of solar and wind generation, along with the electrification of the energy system, make the development of renewable energy resources increasingly attractive for society, and an attractive investment opportunity for Shell.“

Shell is part of a consortium that will build the Borssele III & IV offshore wind project in the Netherlands.