Seasoned Wind Industry Leader Takes the Helm to Drive Renewable Energy Transition
The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) has announced the appointment of Jonathan Cole as its new chairman. Cole, currently serving as Chief Executive Officer of Corio Generation, a global offshore wind developer, was unanimously voted into the position by the Council’s board in London.
With over a decade of experience in the wind industry, Jonathan Cole has played a significant role in its development. He previously served as the head of Iberdrola’s offshore wind business and has been instrumental in the success of Corio Generation, created by Macquarie Asset Management’s Green Investment Group.
Jonathan Cole takes over from Morten Dyrholm, who has held the GWEC chairmanship role since 2016 and is the Group Senior Vice President of Vestas, responsible for Marketing, Communications, Sustainability, and Public Affairs.
Throughout his career, Jonathan has overseen a combined pipeline of 60 GW in wind projects across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas. His experience spans mature and emerging markets, engaging with various stakeholders such as industry, financial institutions, governments, regulators, and local communities.
Expressing his enthusiasm for his new role, Jonathan Cole stated, “I am thrilled and honored to take on the role of Chairman of the Global Wind Energy Council, an organization that is more vital and relevant today than ever before.” He recognized the milestone achievement of nearly 1 Terawatt of installed wind power globally and emphasized the need for rapid transformation to decarbonize the planet.
To combat climate change and its devastating impacts, Jonathan stressed the urgency of scaling up wind capacity to reach at least 8 Terawatts by mid-century. He called for collaboration between the private and public sectors to accelerate investment and clear the path for wind energy delivery.
Jonathan Cole paid tribute to Morten Dyrholm, acknowledging his outstanding leadership and ambassadorship for the wind industry during his seven-year tenure as GWEC chairman. He also expressed his commitment to supporting GWEC as it continues to advocate for the sector’s needs on the world stage.
Ben Backwell, CEO of GWEC, welcomed Jonathan Cole as the new chairman, highlighting the exciting time for the wind industry and the importance of removing barriers to renewables deployment. Backwell expressed confidence in Jonathan’s leadership and his support in achieving the goal of at least 8 Terawatts of wind energy capacity installed by 2050.
Jonathan Cole has held various industry positions in recent years, including Board member of RenewableUK, Chairman of the Global Offshore Wind Health and Safety Organisation (G+), Chairman of the UK’s Offshore Wind Programme Board, Chairman of the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult’s Industry Advisory Group, and Member of the UK’s Offshore Wind Industry Council.
With Jonathan Cole assuming the chairman role, the Global Wind Energy Council aims to continue its mission of promoting wind energy and collaborating with governments and industries worldwide to embrace wind energy’s potential and achieve global climate commitments.