Scottish Renewables appoints new Chair and Vice-Chair

Ronnie Bonnar, Managing Director of Repsol Nuevas Energias UK, has been named as the new Chairman of Scottish Renewables.

Ronnie, who has had a long career in the offshore oil and gas sector in the north of Scotland, was instrumental in taking forward Talisman Energy's Beatrice Demonstrator Project which would become Scotland's first offshore wind turbine. He went on to become Operations Director and co-founder of SeaEnergy Renewables Limited before taking on the role of Managing Director at Repsol UK.

Ronnie replaces Jeremy Sainsbury, Director of Natural Power, who has been Chairman since 2010.

On his new appointment, Ronnie said: "I am delighted to be taking on the role of Chairman of Scottish Renewables at this exciting and challenging time for the industry.

"The organisation has never been more relevant with a key role to play in representing the industry in reforms of the electricity market, grid charging and the planning system.

"My priority is make sure that we work with government to create the conditions that we need to achieve our shared ambitions for our exciting new industry.

"I would also like to recognise the commitment of our outgoing Chairman, Jeremy Sainsbury, who has led the organisation through a time of incredible growth and very important achievements on behalf of our members."

Patricia Hawthorn, Partner, Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP, a leading law firm in the renewables sector, has also been appointed Vice-Chair of Scottish Renewables.

She said: "I have been involved with Scottish Renewables Board for a number of years and am looking forward to working with Ronnie and Niall Stuart, our Chief Executive, to build on the success of the organisation and to help secure a strong pipeline of development and investment opportunities for Scotland’s renewable energy sector."

Patricia has been in private practice for 28 years and joined Shepherd and Wedderburn in November 2007. She specialises in consenting renewables projects in the energy and waste sectors across the UK. She also holds the role of co-chair of the Scottish Renewables Offshore Wind Strategy Group, and is part of the Executive Committee of Environmental Services Association in Scotland.

Both roles are for a three year term.