Meet Niall Cunningham, Senior Engineer, ABL London
The team at ABL Group shares the passion, vision and values for working in energy and the world’s oceans, de-risking and driving the energy transition. We are driven by the idea that the best work is born from professionalism, diligence… and fun. You know ABL Group, but do you know our team?
Give us a glimpse into your day-to-day life at ABL. What keeps you on your toes?
Day to day, my role involves reviewing the documentation for my client’s planned activities during offshore wind installation and major component exchange campaigns.
This includes assessing sea-fastening arrangements, engineering analyses, method statements, and marine operation procedures to ensure compliance with relevant industry standards and insurance requirements.
Once I’ve completed the desktop review you can find me on the vessel witnessing the operations in person – most likely on a jack-up vessel in the middle of a cold sea!
What inspired you to join your profession?
Like many in the renewables space, I was driven by an internal motivation and a sense of moral responsibility to contribute to a more eco-friendly planet. Fortunately, this decision has also led me to meet some incredibly kind and supportive colleagues; one of the key reasons I remain committed to this industry.
Can you share with us something exciting you are currently working on?
I’ve recently returned from a month-long trip to complete the marine warranty survey or scope of work for the installation of one of the largest offshore wind farms in the North Sea. Arriving on site with only the foundations in place and leaving with fully erected turbines was a remarkable sight.
Witnessing large-scale transformations in just a matter of days was incredibly rewarding. Knowing these turbines will likely operate for over 35 years, quietly generating clean energy, brought great satisfaction.
Looking ahead, what do you think is key to driving sustainability in your industry?
To me, a key element of our industry that isn’t receiving the attention it deserves is minimising reliance on global transport chains. This not only reduces environmental impact but also reinforces the importance of strengthening local requirements and developing the necessary skills within each country. Achieving this will require targeted incentives and government support to build capacity and resilience across a broader range of regions, helping to create a more balanced and sustainable global supply chain.
Besides work, what do you enjoy most working within the ABL Group?
There are endless social events of all kinds, so there is something for everyone. I find they are a great way to unwind after work, especially when they take place in our kitchen – not much travel time! It’s a brilliant space, and I’d like to think we make the most of it here at ABL.
Bonus Question: From your perspective, what are the biggest pitfalls in O&M that developers and operators need to watch out for to keep projects commercially viable over their lifespan?
Having worked in early-stage offshore wind, I’ve found that O&M often doesn’t receive the attention it requires. One of the biggest pitfalls is underestimating long-term costs and logistical complexity during the early phases of a project.
Developers tend to focus heavily on CAPEX and often overlook the root causes that accelerate equipment wear and significantly impact O&M costs. Inadequate asset health monitoring and a reliance on reactive maintenance can also result in costly unplanned outages – particularly when condition monitoring systems are not integrated from the outset.
More about Niall
Role: Senior Engineer / Marine Warranty Surveyor
Location/Office: London
Favourite Book: The Good Life by Robert Waldinger and Marc S. Schulz. A nice reminder what life is all about.
Hobbies Outside of Work: Any sports really – mostly tennis, football and running. Got to keep the feet on the move!
Niall and the ABL team will be live at Global Offshore Wind on 17–18 June at stand G60! Join us to learn what makes ABL a world leader in Marine Warranty Survey (MWS) and how we deliver technical assurance for some of the largest and most complex marine construction projects globally – including in the offshore wind sector.