26th November 2024

Onshore Consents Specialist Surabhi Verma was part of the team that put together the application – here she talks about her passion for the environment, a career journey that’s taken her half-way round the world and how fancy footwork helps her to recharge.

Can you describe yourself in three words?

Dedicated, adaptable and ambitious.

Adaptable is possibly the one that resonates most with my career journey. My background is science-based, but I came to Scotland in 2021 to pursue a law degree. Moving from India to Scotland and going back to university was a big step. But if I hadn’t been willing to do that, I wouldn’t have this role now where I am able to combine both subjects that I’m passionate about.

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Tell us more about why you switched up your career.

I did my first master’s degree in environmental sciences and initially worked for a consultancy in India carrying out environmental impact assessments for projects in the mining sector. I then joined a public regulatory body – the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board – as a research fellow involved in monitoring and improving the water quality of rivers. That led to other projects focused on air quality and air pollution abatement, and eventually to some innovative work designing a plantation scheme for cities that were defaulting on pollution level management.

Seeing that work come to life in a proper framework was an incredibly proud moment for me. I became interested in regulatory framework around the world, and especially policy making and environmental laws. This domain is changing the entire world, and it’s why I applied for an LLM course in Global Environment and Climate Change law at the University of Edinburgh.

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What drew you to the offshore wind industry?

I’ve always been inspired by nature and felt a strong desire to work in harmony with it. My studies in environmental science, along with the desire to explore sustainable development practices that prioritise the environment, solidified my commitment to a career in this field. The renewable energy sector fits perfectly with this enthusiasm.
The offshore wind industry is a dynamic sector and plays a crucial role in the global shift to renewable energy. It not only tackles climate change but also promotes sustainable development and energy security. Being part of this industry lets me contribute to a sustainable future while doing work that I truly care about.

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Can you tell us about your role as an Onshore Consents Specialist?

My focus is mainly around the onshore elements of the project, such as managing the consenting requirements for onshore infrastructures like substation and cable route and supporting the environmental impact assessment.

My current role, also involves engaging with regulatory bodies, ensuring compliance with all the relevant laws and regulations and working with the different disciplines. across the wider Ocean Winds team. For example – engineering and business development.

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What has been the highlight of working on Caledonia so far?

Seeing the consent application for the onshore elements lodged with Aberdeenshire Council earlier this month was an incredibly special moment for me and the whole team. We’ve worked hard to develop a project that will support the journey to net zero and ensure a sustainable, secure energy supply.

Projects like these are complex and there are many stakeholder views and other considerations that need to be considered. By engaging with stakeholders over many years, listening intently and being flexible and innovative in our approach, we’ve developed and proposed a ScotWind project to be proud of.

I’ve also enjoyed working with such an experienced and supportive team. Everyone in the team has a comparable level of understanding about what it takes to deliver successful offshore wind farms in Scotland.

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How has Ocean Winds supported your learning and development as a relatively new entrant to the offshore wind sector?

Ocean Winds focuses on providing all its employees with core training related to the offshore wind sector and supports them in advancing their careers. It also encourages the atmosphere of innovation and creativity for employees to keep them updated with industry wide developments.

I’m thrilled to have been shortlisted for an exciting opportunity promoting innovation within Ocean Winds called INNOW. It’s a 14-week internal ideas acceleration programme where we receive training in innovation processes and methodologies like hypothesis validation, business model design, and tools and techniques to help us generate and develop our own innovative solutions to a preferred challenge.

We’ve teamed up with colleagues from other countries, disciplines and experiences, engaging regularly. This experience has given me broader exposure and insights into different disciplines within this sector that I don’t typically engage with in my everyday work.

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What excites you most about your future career?

The potential for innovation and the chance to be at the forefront of such a rapidly evolving industry. The offshore wind sector is set for major growth, and I’m looking forward to being a part of the projects that will help drive us towards a more sustainable energy future. It feels great to be part of something so impactful.

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What is the best professional advice you can give, or you have been given?

I follow a mantra in both my professional and personal life that helps me prepare for any new path: “Believe in yourself; no challenge is unachievable.” I would advise anyone entering this exciting sector to truly believe in themselves.

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Tell us something about yourself that would be a surprise to most people

I really love to dance! I’m trained in an Indian classical dance form called Kathak. For me, dance is like a special escape that brings me peace and joy, even after a long day. It recharges my energy. I know not everyone might feel the same way, but it works wonders for me. So, if you see me dancing around, just know I’m recharging my creative spirit!

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