In this episode of Offshore Wind Leaders, host Ivar Slengesol speaks with offshore wind veteran Huub den Rooijen about the evolution of offshore wind, the growing need for data-driven marine planning, and the importance of balancing renewable energy development with environmental and stakeholder interests. He also highlights the key challenge facing floating wind: bridging the gap between ambitious deployment targets and commercially viable technology, calling for stronger international collaboration to unlock the sector's full potential.
In this episode of Offshore Wind Leaders, host Ivar Slengesol speaks with offshore wind pioneer Huub den Rooijen, whose career spans more than 25 years across Shell, The Crown Estate, and the wider renewable energy sector. The discussion explores the evolution of offshore wind from early demonstration projects in the North Sea to today's large-scale market challenges, emphasizing the importance of data, environmental stewardship, and marine spatial planning. Huub also shares his perspective on floating offshore wind, arguing that governments and industry must collaborate more closely to bridge the gap between ambitious leasing targets and commercially viable technology. Drawing parallels with major European defense and aerospace programs, he calls for a cross-border approach to accelerate floating wind innovation and strengthen long-term energy security.