Ask an Expert | Engineering Canada’s Offshore Wind Future

Offshore wind holds enormous promise, but what does it actually take to build it?

In the next edition of Marine Renewables Canada’s Ask an Expert webinar series, we’re diving into the engineering behind offshore wind development. From the data that tells us where projects can work, to the foundations that hold them in place and the cables that carry power back to land, every component requires careful planning and thoughtful design.

Offshore wind projects don’t begin with turbines, they begin with understanding ocean conditions, seabed characteristics, and feasibility constraints. Our experts will walk us through how metocean and geotechnical data shape design decisions, how projects move through front-end engineering and design, and why certain sites are better suited to monopiles or jackets. We’ll also explore how export cables are routed to shore, what happens at landfall, and how offshore wind ultimately connects into the grid.

We’re excited to welcome Blair MacDougall of WESI and Walid Al Otaibi of JBO to lead this conversation. JBO and WESI have a multi-year partnership to bring their collective talents in offshore wind design and installation to Canada. Drawing on experience from projects in Europe, Asia, and the United States, they’ll share real-world lessons, technical challenges, and practical solutions that can help shape Canada’s offshore wind future.

Whether you’re a developer, engineer, policymaker, supply chain participant – or simply curious about how an offshore wind farm comes together – join us to better understand what it takes to move projects from concept to construction and beyond.

Meet the Speakers:

Walid Al Otaibi
Managing Director & Director Offshore, JBO Engineering Group GmbH

Walid Al Otaibi is Managing Director and Director Offshore at JBO Engineering Group GmbH. Active in offshore wind for more than a decade, he led JBO’s structural offshore team from 2014–2022, became Director Offshore in 2022, and was appointed Managing Director in 2024 while continuing to lead Offshore. His work focuses on the development and optimization of offshore foundations, towers, and structural connections, drawing on deep design and analysis expertise to deliver reliable, cost‑efficient solutions for offshore wind farms.

Blair MacDougall 

President, Waterford Energy Services Inc.  

Blair MacDougall, Founder and President of Waterford Energy Services (WESI), and cofounder of Technical Energy Solutions an industrial services company, has led the company since its inception in 2003. With nearly 30 years of industry expertise, he manages day-to-day operations, specializing in both offshore renewable, hydrogen and non-renewable energy projects. MacDougall’s extensive background in global engineering and operational roles within the oil and gas sectors have positioned him as a trusted leader in the planning, oversight, and execution of complex projects including decommissioning and subsea interventions. His portfolio comprises expertise in floating wind, fixed-bottom wind, hydrogen demo projects, and infrastructure development for ports. He has worked globally including Africa, India, USA, Caribbean, The Arctic, Europe and Canada. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics & Computer Science (St. FX) and a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (MUN) MacDougall drives his companies forward with a strong commitment to innovation and industry excellence.

Register for the webinar here!