Insights
Consultants help build the world’s first energy island
The world’s first “energy island” is taking shape 45 kilometers off the coast of Belgium. We spoke to Marianne Van Gerven and Laurent De Kerf, two consultants at Pauwels Consulting who are working on the groundbreaking project for the client, Elia. As Marine and Island Coordinators, they both have huge responsibilities and exciting roles within the various phases of the project. What experience do these consultants bring to their role and how did they find themselves in this unusual job? They give us the full story in this article.
A project in phases
Princess Elisabeth Island will serve as a central hub for wind farms in the North Sea. It will be equipped with both AC and DC modules to manage and distribute the generated electricity. There will be a total of eight cables running to Zeebrugge, with the potential for connections to other countries in future. Not only will the energy island export electricity to Belgium, but it will also create import and export opportunities.
Sub-projects
“There are at least ten sub-projects that will have to be completed before the energy island comes on stream,” explains Laurent. “We are currently in the construction phase for the island. All of the activities fall into one of two main zones: marine or island. And, as you can tell from our job title – we are both Marine and Island Coordinators – it is our role to keep a broad overview.”
Avoiding risks
Multiple subcontractors are involved in the various phases of the project. “We sit in the spaces between them,” continues Marianne. “All of the parties involved have their own responsibilities. Bringing them all together so that you end up with the right result takes an immense amount of coordination. On top of that, there are all sorts of risks to consider. Our experience in both offshore and onshore projects means we’re well equipped to properly assess them. It is our job to document and develop regulations to help avoid risks. Clearly, preventing the risk in the first place is the ideal scenario, but we also need to define plans for accidents or emergencies.”
The role of a Marine and Island Coordinator
As Marine and Island Coordinators, Marianne and Laurent are currently involved in vessel inspections, reporting, project planning administration and, together with the subcontractors, monitoring vessels that are constructing the island in this phase.
“Our role will grow as we progress in the project,” adds Marianne. What are they working on at the moment? “Recently, I have been checking vessels for compliance with safety regulations, and then I am responsible for producing safety reports – one example of our onshore activities. But we also operate offshore, where we will primarily take on a coordinating role.” Laurent continues: “At the moment, I’m mainly behind the scenes, you could say. So I’m developing safety procedures and emergency plans, for example.”
Experience in the nautical world
“We both went to nautical college. After graduating, I went to sea and learned a huge amount from the operational positions I held in various roles on seafaring vessels. In fact, the role of Coordinator brings all these together. You could call it a multi-job, for which you need an in-depth understanding of all the aspects combined” explains Marianne.
“You can compare a ship to a company,” continues Laurent. “People with a host of different roles, management, time and money are all at stake. So communication between the various stakeholders is very important. That’s why having experience in this world is essential to fulfilling the role of Coordinator. My experience as a navigating officer, which involved both navigation and safety, means I have the necessary insight into the needs of the project. What’s more, we both have specific experience of working on vessels installing wind farms, giving us a broader view of the context of the project.”
Consultancy opens doors
“This project is completely unique. Elia is the first operator to build an energy island, and having the chance to be part of the project is a fantastic opportunity. These aren’t the sort of jobs you simply find advertised online,” observes Laurent.
“I was looking for something different, so when I got in touch with Pauwels Consulting, the timing was perfect. I should say here that I also received another offer from a different company around the same time. At Pauwels Consulting, they have a very straightforward approach. They immediately proposed this project, and there wasn’t going to be anything that could top that. Our discussions were also very positive and pleasant right from the outset, you felt you were in good hands, and everything seemed to go naturally,” he adds.
Marianne continues, relating her own story: “The truth is, I wasn’t really looking for another job. It’s true I was wondering where to take my career next, but I had nothing specific in mind. Laurent and I knew one another from a previous job and he recommended me to Pauwels Consulting. When they proposed this project to me, I realized it was an opportunity I had to seize with both hands.”
Support as a consultant
“The world of seafaring is a busy, sometimes chaotic life. This project is a far cry from all that. At Elia, we are surrounded by a terrific young team full of people who want to help you, and the facilities are all tip top. It’s a great company that invests in really exciting projects. Part of their strategy for success is hiring the right people with a positive mindset,” believes Marianne.
Laurent adds: “We also have great support from Pauwels Consulting. Our account manager Björn Nachtegaele is always on hand should we need him, and working for a company that has such interesting clients and projects on its books gives you a good feeling.”
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