Rising with the Wind: Eric’s Career in Offshore Wind Energy 

Offshore wind energy is a rapidly expanding industry driven by the global push towards sustainable energy sources. At the heart of this movement are specialists who bring innovation, technical expertise and a relentless commitment to quality. One such specialist is Eric, who has worked with Brunel for over five years and has been involved in multiple offshore wind projects in China.  

Eric currently lives in Yantai, a coastal city in the northeastern part of Shandong Province, China.  

Hi Eric! Could you tells us about your educational background and the extent of your experience in the offshore wind sector?

Sure! I hold a degree in mechanical engineering, specialising in automation and design. Since graduating in 2007, I’ve amassed approximately 17 years of experience in the offshore wind industry.

And what prompted you to join Brunel?

About five years ago, a colleague from Brunel, who was vacating his position, recommended me as his successor. Having gained solid and practical offshore industry experience, I was ready for a new challenge and decided to seize the opportunity to continue growing.

Could you share more details about the projects you’ve worked on so far?

My career at Brunel has progressed through various roles, from coating supervisor to multidisciplinary senior inspector, then advancing to quality leader, yard leader, quality manager and now, deputy general manager for quality. My inaugural project was phase 1 of Seagreen, Scotland’s most extensive operational offshore wind farm. My responsibilities encompassed overall quality control and safety for the project, as well as ensuring that the project kept to its schedule and budget.

My next project was the Moray West offshore wind farm, which is also in Scotland. It was a landmark achievement for us as we delivered all 48 ocean monopiles. My duties were multifaceted: leading the site team on safety and overall quality control issues, supervising construction and liaising with remote managers based in Europe. I also served as an assistant site manager and was involved in site administration.

Currently, I’m working at the Dajin Yard and acting as deputy general manager, contributing to the fabrication of monopiles for multi-offshore wind farm projects. As part of the manufacturer's management team, I oversee departments such as Quality Assurance (QA), Quality Control (QC), Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) and Administration. I manage a team of around 150 professionals. This role requires meticulous coordination and strategic planning to ensure the department’s success, with a strong focus on upholding quality, optimising operations and meeting project deadlines.