John G.
MacAskill.
I write and talk about what it actually takes to get offshore wind built: the auctions, the supply chain, the economics and the politics.
About me
I've spent most of my career in offshore wind, on the commercial side of technical consultancy: building businesses, winning work, and arguing (usually politely) about what it really takes to get projects built.
I started out as a marine engineer, then held business development and leadership roles at GL Garrad Hassan, TAG Energy Solutions and Bureau Veritas. I joined Offshore Wind Consultants in 2015, helped grow it, and went on to lead renewables and then growth across ABL Group, now Aqualis Group. I'm now back at OWC running business development and marketing.
Alongside the commercial side, I still do the advisory work: strategy and market analysis, technical due diligence, certification and assurance, and supply chain advisory. I've worked on projects across Asia, the Americas and Europe, covering fixed-bottom and floating offshore wind, onshore wind, and operations and maintenance. That work is delivered through OWC.
I write about the parts of the energy transition that tend to get skipped in the press release: auction design, supply chain bottlenecks, developer economics, and the gap between political targets and what the system can actually deliver. I write with coffee to hand, and usually with something loud playing.
Writing
Opinion and analysis in the trade press. For the more personal stuff, see the newsletter.
Europe's two turbine maker reality for offshore wind – and how to make it work
With only Vestas and Siemens Gamesa supplying Europe, fixed-bottom is tight but manageable. Floating is a harder problem, and here are five things that would help.
Recharge
What the UK must do to avoid more 'Hornsea 4 moments' in 2026
After Ørsted handed back its CfD, project timelines and system timelines have to line up, or more setbacks will follow.
Rejecting Mingyang UK wind turbine factory would be to indulge in a fantasy
Why turning away a Chinese turbine factory doesn't add up for the UK's offshore wind ambitions.
Offshore wind Mega Projects: no silver bullet, but a serious proposition
Very large projects could bring real benefits. Whether there is the political and institutional will to deliver them is another matter.
Energy Voice
Offshore wind and its 'interesting times'
A look at the pressures building across the industry going into 2024.
Global offshore wind supply chains and local content
Balancing global supply chains against local content, and whether the tension risks holding back deployment targets.
The ReVolting Podcast
Long, unscripted conversations with the developers, operators, investors and policy people building the energy transition, and a deliberate effort to get past the corporate script. New episodes every fortnight, plus live recordings at industry conferences.
Latest episodes
All episodes on YouTube ↗From Policy to Delivery: Grid, Investment, and the Next Era of UK Energy
Claire Mack looks back on nine years leading Scottish Renewables and ahead to grid, investment and supply chain delivery.
Listen Season 1 finaleA New Political Era: What It Means for Offshore Wind, Energy Investment, and Net Zero
New ministers, Treasury priorities, auctions and floating wind, and whether the real challenge is now delivery rather than policy.
Listen Live · Wind Energy IrelandLive at Wind Energy Ireland: Offshore Wind, Industrial Strategy, and the Execution Challenge
Recorded on stage in Dublin: industrial strategy and the execution challenge facing offshore wind.
Listen
The newsletter
Offshore Wind,Coffee & Metal
The personal one. A lead argument on offshore wind and the energy transition, then the two other things that keep me going. Less polished than the trade press, and more honest for it.
The offshore wind argument of the moment, made plainly.
What's in the cup while I write it.
What's on loud while I write it, and the playlist to prove it.
Latest editions
Full archive ↗The Britain Invents the Wind. The Prize Is One Tier Down Edition
Gordon Brown is right that Britain invents brilliantly and owns poorly. Offshore wind is the live test, and the prize isn't who owns the projects but whether the supply chain beneath them lands in the coastal regions.
The "A Black Box Is Not a Policy" Edition
Two Western offshore OEMs isn't competition, it's a queue, and floating wind is at the back of it. A ban builds nothing: get the governance right, or Scotland's 40GW-plus pipeline stays a map while the turbines are built elsewhere.
The Ode To Ed Edition… or Ed The Builder
Behind the caricature, Ed Miliband has assembled a clean power delivery machine: Mission Control, NESO, connections reform, the auctions and GB Energy. The real question is whether it keeps running when the political weather changes.
An email edition is on the way.
Speaking
Panels, keynotes, chairing and live podcast recordings, with fewer slides and more argument.
- Conference panels and keynotes on offshore wind markets, supply chain and policy
- Session chairing and moderation
- Live recordings of The ReVolting Podcast with Úna Brosnan
Where to find me
Where I've been
Get in touch
For speaking invitations, podcast guest ideas, media requests, or a conversation about offshore wind strategy.
Or message me on LinkedIn ↗
Any advisory or consultancy work I deliver is through OWC, part of Aqualis Group. Strategy, market analysis, due diligence, certification and assurance, and supply chain advisory all sit there. Get in touch with me directly, or find out more about OWC.
Visit OWC ↗