Meet the Team: Simon Tonnel | OWC France
At OWC, our teams are constantly expanding into more locations, in expertise, and in sectors of influence. Our people are at the heart of what we do, and we invite you to get to know our team members so you can meet the energy behind change.
This week, we travel to OWC France to chat with Simon Tonnel, an Offshore Renewable Energy Engineer!
Position: Offshore Renewable Energy Engineer
Office: Nantes
Favourite Song: La Glace by Biga*Ranx
Hobbies Outside of Work: Rugby, windsurfing, wood working, sewing, mountain hiking
Can you give us a glimpse into your day-to-day life at OWC?
I am part of the of the FPV team as a hydrodynamic engineer, so I mostly work on FPV projects. The subject is vast, and the assignments can range from feasibility studies to detailed anchoring design, including projects dealing with the instrumentation of FPV installations.
As I also have a structural background, I can support other teams and work on offshore wind turbine projects.
What inspired you to join your profession?
I’ve always wanted to work in a field related to the energy transition or sustainability which is very important to me. As a result, renewable energy was an obvious choice for me. Additionally, my engineering background from university, coupled with my interest for the maritime industry, made my career path even more clear.
Can you share with us something exciting you are currently working on?
I am currently involved in a European research project, which includes carrying out instrumentation campaigns. I’ve had the chance to participate twice so far, and I find the work both stimulating and challenging.
These campaigns also provide a valuable opportunity to visit sites and connect with the professionals responsible for installation and maintenance.
Looking ahead, what do you think is key to driving sustainability in your region?
I believe there is great potential for advancing the energy transition and developing offshore renewable energy worldwide, while still respecting the environment. In my view, the greatest challenge lies in uniting people behind a shared purpose. At present, many political and industrial leaders are reluctant to invest fully in this area, largely due to lower profitability compared to other sectors – which, in my opinion, is a missed opportunity.
Besides work, what do you enjoy most working within the ABL Group?
What I enjoy most about working in the Nantes office is undoubtedly my colleagues. I have had the pleasure of working with them for over three years, and it is still a joy to see them every day. We share a caring and collaborative atmosphere, where open-minded colleagues are always there to offer support, whether during challenging moments or times of success. We also always make time to see each other outside work.
This combination of professional support and personal camaraderie makes the Nantes office a truly enjoyable and inspiring place to work.
