Burns & McDonnell, the No. 1 firm in Power, has hired offshore wind industry veteran Tony Appleton to lead their rapidly expanding offshore wind initiatives and team of professionals.
A chartered mechanical engineer with more than 25 years’ experience in the energy sector, Appleton has worked across conventional thermal power, gas and nuclear generation markets. Previously a consultant for Burns & McDonnell, he has spent the last 15 years leading organisations and teams in the Offshore Renewables and Interconnection global markets, working on more than 20 offshore wind farms across the globe. Appleton will be based in the firm’s U.K. office in Birmingham.
The landmark hire for Burns & McDonnell comes shortly after the U.K. government’s announcement of its Offshore Wind Sector Deal, which seeks to ensure a third of the country’s electricity needs will be provided by offshore wind by 2030. The number of U.K. jobs in the sector is expected to triple in the same period.
Burns & McDonnell is currently designing the onshore interconnection assets for several Ørsted offshore wind projects in the Northeast U.S., including Ocean Wind and Skipjack projects in New Jersey and Maryland. The offshore wind projects will deliver vital clean, reliable energy to the region, while bolstering the economy with new jobs and cost stability. A typical Ørsted offshore wind project creates approximately 1,000 jobs per year during a two- to three-year construction cycle, and another 100 permanent jobs to support the 25-year life of a typical offshore wind farm.
Ray Kowalik, Burns & McDonnell Chairman and CEO, said:
“The power industry is evolving rapidly, producing a lot of exciting changes and opportunities. Our firm has supported critical energy projects for more than 100 years and we are growing our team to support offshore wind projects that will help provide efficient, sustainable energy for the years to come. Tony brings extensive experience to our team and will help us continue delivering a full spectrum of services needed for the complex and expansive needs of offshore wind projects.”
Jonathan Chapman, The U.K. Managing Director at Burns & McDonnell, said:
“As the global energy sector sits on the cusp of a renewables revolution, there’s no better time for Burns & McDonnell to expand and consolidate our offshore experience. The U.K. has long been at the forefront of offshore development and will continue to drive progress in the wake of the newly-announced sector deal. Tony’s international role will allow him to capitalise on that expertise in the global market, whilst bringing Burns & McDonnell’s experience from across the world to the U.K.”
Tony Appleton said:
“I’m delighted to join the Burns & McDonnell team at this exciting time for the company and for the offshore sector. Having worked with Burns & McDonnell as a consultant for the past two years, I’ve seen first-hand the passion and professionalism with which they approach their projects, and I’m excited to be a part of that as the UK team continues to grow and develop.”