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?
- Name: Trystan Thornton
- Role: Senior Geotechnical Engineer
- Location: London
- Favourite Book: The Green Bone Saga (Jade City, Jade War and Jade Legacy)
- Hobbies Outside of Work: Running, touch rugby, gym, and eating out!
Trystan Thornton | Senior Geotechnical Engineer
Can you give us a glimpse into your day-to-day life at Longitude?
I primarily work with subsea cables, including those within wind farms, cables transferring power onshore, and interconnector cables. A large part of my role involves identifying hazards and evaluating the associated risks to determine the appropriate burial depth for the cables. Where burial to the required depth isn’t possible, I also assess alternative protection systems or solutions, particularly in situations where cables need to cross other subsea cables or pipelines.
What inspired you to join your profession?
I’ve been interested in engineering from a young age, which is what set me on this career path. For the first eight years, I worked in the onshore sector, which gave me a strong foundation and valuable experience. Over time, I became increasingly motivated by the shift toward renewable energy and felt it was the right moment to transition offshore. Joining this sector has allowed me to be part of an exciting and rapidly developing industry while contributing to the wider move toward cleaner, more sustainable energy.
Can you share with us something exciting that you are currently working on?
I’ve just completed a major project based in Singapore, working on a 760 km interconnector that will supply the country with renewable power. It was an exciting project to be part of, both because of its scale and the positive impact it will have in supporting Singapore’s transition to cleaner energy.
Looking ahead, what do you think is key to driving sustainability in your industry?
I think a key factor in driving sustainability within the industry is looking at ways to extend the operational life of wind farms and power cables. At the same time, designing these assets with future reuse or straightforward decommissioning in mind is equally important. Both approaches support circular economy principles and ensure that renewable energy infrastructure continues to deliver long-term environmental and economic benefits.
Besides work, what do you enjoy most about working within ABL Group?
One of the things I enjoy most about working at ABL Group is the people—everyone is really friendly and easy to work with. The views from the London office are also fantastic, which makes it a great place to spend time. On top of that, a lot of the work I’m involved in is quite unique, and I really enjoy problem-solving with my team and coming up with creative solutions together.
