Jeremy Cresswell was honoured last night at an industry event for his contribution to the renewable energy sector in Aberdeen.
The Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (Areg) Energy Futures conference dinner was topped off with the special recognition award for the well-known journalist.
The emeritus editor at Energy Voice and a former business editor of the Press and Journal Jeremy Cresswell was the founding chairman of Areg more than 20 years ago, laying crucial groundwork for the development of the Aberdeen Bay Wind Farm, otherwise known as the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC).
Areg director Gordon McIntosh relayed some highlights of Cresswell’s career, including having written four books about oil and gas, and recalled asking him 22 years ago to help “take renewable energy forward” in Aberdeen.
Cresswell’s efforts with Areg ultimately led to the creation of the All-Energy Conference, which later moved to Glasgow, and the development of the wind farm.
A ‘bit of a character’
“(He’s) a bit of a character, and when I knew I was going to be speaking about him tonight, I asked folk if they could think of a word that could describe him…
“Motivated… intense… controversial… contumacious… cantankerous, even! But they all said he has lots of energy. He’s out that into all of the work that he’s done.”
He added: “Jeremy was the first chairman, Jean’s the second, there’s only been two and they’ve done a tremendous job together.
“And there’s no one more deserving of the award that Jean’s about to present to Jeremy than the man sitting here tonight.”
Receiving the honour, Cresswell said he was “gobsmacked” but continued “when was a so-called journalist ever lost for words?”
He added: “It’s not just me, but what I was doing was only possible because of other people gathered around you.”
He went on to list a series of names, among others, including George Yule, Robert Ross, Professor Peter Robertson, Professor Paul Mitchell and John Black.
“It’s actually been an incredible journey for me and I’d like to think it’s for all the other people who helped build Areg, helped get it past the wind farm project and I’ve been wishing it well like you wouldn’t believe.”
The conference’s concluding dinner also features a speech from New York-based sustainable cities expert and GlobalScot Lolita Jackson, who shared her experience of a career in climate improvements and resilience within communities, while Scottish Business Network America’s president and GlobalScot Ian Houston shared his thoughts remotely.
First conference event for Areg
More than 400 delegates from across the energy sector attended the inaugural, day-long event held at P&J Live.
The one-day programme focused on the future of offshore renewables, Scotland’s hydrogen ambition, the changing supply chain, skills challenges, and the transformation of the workforce.
Areg chief executive David Rodger pledged the event would happen again.
He said: “Seeing hundreds of people at our first conference reinforced the commitment, of our members, stakeholders and the north-east community, to making the changes necessary for a timely and just transition.
“As one of the original energy transition organisations in the north-east, it’s our mission to be a powerful voice in the net zero conversation, at home and overseas, and yesterday clearly demonstrated that goal in action.
“The support we received for the Energy Futures Conference and exhibition from our sponsors, partners and the wider community was overwhelming, and we are confident discussions had at the event will accelerate progress towards a low carbon energy future for the region.”
Conversation