To raise awareness of the renewable energy sector and develop a skilled future workforce DP Energy and EDF Renewables UK, working with Pembrokeshire College and industry partners, including Celtic Sea Power, have designed a 2-year programme called ‘Destination Renewables’. This innovative industry led programme aimed at 16 to 18 year old’s will give students opportunities to link with future employers to prepare them for jobs in the fast growth green energy sector.
The students enrolled in this pioneering pilot will be given an insight into technologies, (onshore and offshore wind, solar, wave and tidal), a project development lifecycle and hear first-hand from professionals about the exciting career pathways and growth within the industry. Destination Renewables is underpinned by the Skills and Talent programme of the Swansea Bay City Deal, jointly funded by the Welsh and UK Governments, alongside private sector investment. Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum will support the renewables industry to create a positive learner journey for those studying Level 3 engineering, business and construction, or A Levels in the delivery of this private sector and education partnership.
Destination Renewables is a two-year Extended Project Qualification. The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is a level 3 (A-level standard) qualification offered by AQA, Edexcel, OCR and WJEC – graded like an AS level it can provide additional UCAS points. It provides opportunities for learners to expand their knowledge, work independently and acquire new skills through a variety of activities which may include: guest speakers, workplace visits and practical experiences. The first cohort of 40 Destination Renewables students begin their studies in September 2022.
Staff from DP Energy and EDF Renewables will have a hands-on role in delivering the learning programme alongside other delivery partners, as well as providing mentoring opportunities to students in the second year of the course programme.
EDF Renewables UK and Ireland (www.edf-re.uk) is a subsidiary of EDF Group, one of the world’s largest low carbon electricity companies, and our investment and innovation is reducing costs for consumers and bringing significant benefits for communities.
With our operating portfolio of 38 renewable energy sites including battery, onshore and offshore wind (together totalling 1 GW) we are providing much needed affordable, low carbon electricity. We have an expanding portfolio with almost 5 GW of projects in planning and development, including wind, battery and solar PV.
DP Energy has a long history of renewable project development and is a global developer of wind, solar and ocean energy projects across the UK, Ireland, Australia and North America.
To date DP has delivered multiple constructed renewable energy projects totalling over 700MW across the countries in which it operates. It has a further 400MW consented and proceeding to the ‘ready to build’ phase and a development pipeline of some 2GW of onshore wind and 3GW+ offshore wind.
Whilst headquartered in Ireland, DP Energy has operated extensively in the UK since the 1990s and early 2000s to deliver large scale onshore wind projects principally across Scotland, including Hadyard Hill wind farm which at 130MW was one of the largest projects of its day.
As part of its overall expansion plans DP Energy has now opened a UK South Wales office staffed by an experienced development team. This team, in addition to delivering the Gwynt Glas Offshore Wind farm will be developing a portfolio of 100% sustainable energy projects in the UK across the renewable technology range.
Further information:
[email protected] Head of External Affairs, EDF Renewables UK, 07813 230 379
[email protected] Stakeholder and Communications Manager, DP Energy, 07890 636898
