Green Careers Week: Jobs that make a difference
A wind turbine generator is exchanged at Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm. This wind farm, located off the coast of North Wales, contains 160 wind turbines and produces enough energy to power 467,000 households, equivalent to cutting 1.7 million tonnes of CO2 emissions a year.
Green Careers Week (4th to 9th November) celebrates the huge range of jobs aimed at improving our planet and encourages young people to explore the many green career opportunities available.
At Futurum, we work with a wealth of people whose work is making a difference in the world: Ecologists and geoscientists are dedicated to understanding how climate change is affecting the natural world, while chemists and environmental engineers are exploring how pollution is impacting the environment. Engineers from a range of different fields are developing green technologies, plastic alternatives, eco-friendly fuels, sustainable industrial processes and sustainable construction techniques. Researchers are reducing the environmental impacts of agriculture and mining, and testing methods to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide. And economists are investigating how climate change is affecting businesses and how supply chains can adopt circular economy principles.
We spoke to Joseph Moon, Finance Manager for Offshore Wind at RWE Renewables, about his job in the renewable energy sector:
What does your job involve on a day-to-day basis?
I manage all the commercial and financial aspects of operating an offshore wind farm. The role is very diverse and covers everything from business case assessments, budget planning, and managing claims and settlements, to maintaining relationships with stakeholders (including external investors) and exploring any opportunities to improve the performance of the wind farm.
A wind turbine generator is exchanged at Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm. This wind farm, located off the coast of North Wales, contains 160 wind turbines and produces enough energy to power 467,000 households, equivalent to cutting 1.7 million tonnes of CO2 emissions a year.
What do you most enjoy about your job, and what do you find most challenging?
I really enjoy the variety of topics that I get stuck into. For many of them, I had no idea they would be needed to operate a wind farm! This means every day can be different and I have to be able to react quickly to new challenges and be confident at problem solving, which is what makes the job rewarding. One of the biggest challenges is that the industry is still growing so fast, so it’s constantly changing in terms of technology, set up, size, etc. This means we have to be constantly evolving and keep on top of the latest best practices so we don’t get left behind as an operator.
Why should young people consider a career in renewable energy?
I would 100% recommended a career in the renewable energy sector! It’s fun, challenging and rewarding, whilst also being a part of the solution towards a more sustainable future. The UK is the world leader in offshore wind energy production, so it makes me feel proud to be leading the way forward.
What advice do you have for those who are interested in a career in the renewable energy industry?
There are so many routes to a career in renewable energy – take advantage of graduate programmes, internships and apprenticeships. I would definitely advise reaching out to businesses in the industry to explore the options available and see what might be the best fit for you. There really is something for everyone!
I studied maths, physics and geography at A-Level then did a Master of Engineering degree in renewable energy at university. I was always interested in the energy sector, but I specifically wanted to find a way into the wind industry. The main thing that helped me achieve this was not necessarily my work experience (my previous role involved designing and planning small domestic-scale turbines for farms), but the fact that I could demonstrate the ability and willingness to question and learn new skills. Nobody is an expert from day one – developing a professional career is all about proactively building your skills and knowledge.
What is your favourite fact about renewable energy?
When I started my degree in 2010, wind provided less than 3% of the UK’s electricity. However, the sector is growing so fast that today it’s our biggest source of clean power, providing almost 30% of the UK’s electricity.
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