Scottish Renewables Appoints New Chairman and Vice-Chairman

Scottish Renewables, the voice of Scotland’s renewable energy sector, has appointed of its new Chairman and Vice-Chairman.

Patricia Hawthorn, Partner at UK law firm Shepherd and Wedderburn, has been appointed Chairman of the renewables body while Gordon MacDougall, Managing Director, Western Europe at global renewable developer RES, has been appointed Vice-Chairman.

Patricia replaces Ronnie Bonnar, Managing Director of Repsol Nuevas Energias UK, who has Chaired Scottish Renewables since 2013.

Commenting on her appointment, Patricia said: “With renewables now making an increasingly significant contribution to our energy mix, it is an exciting time to take on the role of Chairman of Scottish Renewables, an organisation which acts as a powerful advocate for the benefits provided by Scotland’s renewable energy sector.

“Given the opportunities and challenges presented by the move from support under the Renewables Obligation to competitive auctions for Contracts for Difference and the upcoming UK and Scottish Parliament elections, it is more important than ever that Scotland’s renewables sector speaks with a strong and united voice and that the interests of our members across all technologies are robustly represented by their industry body.”

Since joining Shepherd and Wedderburn in 2007, Patricia has focussed on consenting four of the offshore windfarms planned for Scottish and UK waters.

Gordon MacDougall joined Renewable Energy Systems (RES) in June 2009 and oversees development, construction, generation and new renewable technologies for the whole of Western Europe.

On his new appointment as Vice-Chairman, Gordon said: “At a time of big changes, it is vital that the organisation continues to put a strong case for continued support for all parts of the renewable energy sector in Scotland.”