Pictured, from left, are: Peter Tipler (Wynteq), Michael Howie (Nexos and new EI AHI branch chair), Innes Auchterlonie (IMRANDD), Rebecca Allison (NZTC and outgoing EI AHI branch chair), Lord Provost Cllr David Cameron (Aberdeen City Council), Katrina Dunbar (EI AHI branch manager), Andy Brown (President, EI) and Nick Wayth (CEO, EI)

Members and guests of the Energy Institute (EI) Aberdeen, Highlands and Islands branch have been reminded about the need for adaptability in the sector during the group’s flagship annual dinner.

The much-anticipated event is one of the highlights of the local branch calendar and took place at Aberdeen’s Macdonald Norwood Hall Hotel on Thursday, May 15th. 

This year’s presenters included Andy Brown OBE FEI, President of the Energy Institute and Deputy Chair of Ørsted. Cambridge graduate Andy enjoyed a 35-year international career with Royal Dutch Shell in seven countries, latterly serving on the executive committee leading the world’s largest integrated gas business as upstream director for integrating the acquisition of BG into the company. Later, he held the role of CEO of Portuguese energy company Galp where he focused on transforming the organization to thrive through the energy transition and he joined the board of Ørsted as a non-executive director in 2023 before he became deputy chair in 2024. 

Acknowledging the pace of climate change, Andy Brown said that the energy sector’s role was at the forefront of a just global energy transition to net zero. He emphasized that the work of the Energy Institute was, therefore, more important than ever, adding: “The disruption of markets and supply chains along with the urgent transition to net zero mean that there is a critical need for adaptability in the energy sector. 

“Meeting the demand for more energy – which is likely to double by 2100 – but with less CO2 requires multi-lateral action and leadership and sustainable solutions that address affordability and security of supply with a pragmatic approach to decarbonization.”

The evening also featured addresses from Innes Auchterlonie, CEO of Imrandd and Board Member of The National Geothermal Centre and Pete Tipler, Founder and CEO of Wynteg, a service company which is focused on “working with clients to accelerate the deployment of game-changing energy and climate technology that benefits people and planet.”  

The evening also provided the ideal opportunity to thank outgoing branch chair Rebecca Allison whose planned three-year tenure was extended to six due to the pandemic, and welcome new chairman Michael Howie to the role.