Green accolades to flow as grand finale to Humber’s Offshore Wind Connections
The Humber Renewables Awards are returning for 2024.
By Dave Laister
Championing all that is being achieved on the Energy Estuary, the gala dinner event will be the celebratory finale to the Offshore Wind Connections conference, which opens on May 1.
It follows last year’s unification of the sector’s calendar highlights to mark a decade of delivery of the flagship regional gathering, where hundreds of industry leaders attend to share best practice, explore innovation and update on project and policy developments.
Entries are now open for the 10 award categories, with the winners to be unveiled at Hull’s Doubletree by Hilton Hotel on May 2, capping two days of exhibiting and networking. It will be the 12th year of celebrating success in a sector that has brought a new economic direction to the area, while helping fuel grand decarbonisation ambitions for the industrial cluster.
Iain Butterworth, chair of Humber Marine & Renewables, said: “I’m delighted to see this partnership continue. This is my first year as chair of the board and in 2023 I attended both Offshore Wind Connections and the Humber Renewables Awards dinner for the first time. I was impressed with how we now see the tangible benefits of what offshore wind has brought to the area. Only 10 to 15 years ago we were looking at the prospects for offshore wind, now – as was evident from the stage of both OWC and the awards – offshore wind has well and truly arrived on the Humber, yet is still in its relevant infancy and only going to get stronger.”
Mr Butterworth is a maritime lawyer and leads his own marine consultancy business, having started his working life as a marine engineer. He has been involved with Team Humber Marine Alliance, which merged with Grimsby Renewables Partnership in 2022, for more than 20 years.
Having looked back with pride on achievements so far in the sector at 2023’s event, this year’s conference will look at the 10 years ahead, with Net Zero targets and green energy expansion deadlines looming. And launching the awards’ nomination call, the team behind Humber Renewables Awards underlined the sector’s breadth, with the scope going well beyond wind. Previous winners, in what is now an extensive list, have been drawn from major project developers, key supply chain and training partners, as well as the fields of micro-generation, battery storage, solar and hydrogen innovation, together with supporting ports, logistics and engineering operations.
The dedicated website – www.humber-renewables.com – is now live, featuring all the information, including the online entry form for the open categories.The deadline for nominations is Sunday, March 17.
Orsted and RWE are backing the event once again, with John Roe Group returning as official car sponsor. Opportunities remain to get involved as the countdown begins. For more information email tom.austin@reachplc.com or call 07834 855700. To enter the awards, click here.
This year’s categories for the Humber Renewables Awards:
Humber Renewables Small Business of the Year (under 50 employees)
Sponsored by Orsted
This category will recognise those who have spotted an opportunity in the renewables market. The winner will be able to demonstrate fast growth, a healthy profit and a solid plan for the future. It could be a company set up solely to work in green energy or a traditional business which has branched out. One of the reasons Siemens Gamesa decided to invest in Hull was because of the great engineering and maritime infrastructure the Humber already has. Enter here.
Last year’s winner: RSUK Group
Humber Renewables Medium / Large Business of the Year (over 50 employees)
Running a major company is tough in any field but in an evolving sector like renewable energy it has complexities beyond most. Businesses have to be instantly adaptable, on top of the latest technology and ready to make the most of opportunities offered by the Government’s regularly updating green agenda. This award’s winner will be a regional firm with at least 50 employees and bold ambitions to become even bigger. Judges will be looking at past financial performance and recruitment in the past year. Enter here.
Last year’s winner: Associated British Ports
Best Renewable Energy Project or Installation
This prize is for the game-changers that are making it happen. Judges will be looking for a winning project that produces clean power, is built to the highest of standards and encapsulates the area’s expertise. The category is open to schemes of any scale, from multi-million pound developments to micro-generation programmes. It could be won by a firm focused on renewables or a company, public sector organisation or educational establishment which has done its bit to reduce our carbon footprint. Enter here.
Last year’s winner: Pillswood Project from Harmony Energy
Excellence in Renewable Skills and Training
Multinational green energy companies may have their eyes on the region and feet on the ground but success in bringing them here means nothing if they cannot find qualified employees. Getting the training right for any potential workforce is vital and this award will celebrate those organisations which have done most to create a much-needed skills base. The category is open to employers, specialist centres and education providers. Enter here.
Last year’s winner: RES
Renewables Education
This category will reward the educators who have done most to promote the value of clean power and understand the opportunities it brings. It could be as part of an energy qualification or learning programme run by a university of college, or a one-off project at a primary or secondary school. Entries will be able to demonstrate what the aims of the project were, how they were achieved and any feedback from students. Submissions may also include details of whether, and how, the project was supported by industry. Enter here.
Last year’s winner: East Riding of Yorkshire Council / Dogger Bank Wind Farm
Green Innovation
Green energy is now cheaper than its fossil fuel equivalents and this is down to innovation. This award will reward firms of any size that go out of their way to be more efficient and are not afraid to come up with novel approaches. Judges will be looking to see how innovation has made a real difference. That could be developing a different business model, refining existing technology to make it leaner and more effective, or introducing a new solution. This award is not just open to energy firms. Companies in the recycling sphere, or those reducing consumption are welcome, as are businesses where inventive methods have seen carbon footprints reduced. Enter here.
Last year’s winner: Cellform Hydrogen
Diversity and Inclusion Award
It isn’t just the field of work that needs to evolve to ensure peak performance, but the workforce too. Engineering and maritime disciplines have been some of the narrower fields when it comes to balance but thanks to some great initiatives, many at a local level, that is changing. We want to celebrate that success, acknowledge effort and reward the results. Enter here.
Last year’s winner: Generation Net Zero
Engaging The Community / Community Project
This category will recognise a renewable energy project that has the community at its heart. This could either be through raising public awareness of renewable energy needs or involving a local community in a project. Or this could be a renewables project driven by a local community or organisation, or one that is to the benefit of one. Going the extra mile in support of major initiatives is welcome too, ensuring the Humber and its hinterland reaps what it deserves from hosting such industrial endeavour. Enter here.
Last year’s winner: HFR Solutions CIC
Humber Renewables Woman of the Year
Sponsored by RWE Renewables Ltd
This award aims to recognise and celebrate women working in the energy sector who go above and beyond business-as-usual. This may be someone who has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership, has contributed significantly to the expansion and improvement of the power sector or it could be a young role model who is destined to shape the future of renewable energy, having been acclaimed by peers or the wider industry. Enter here.
Last year’s winner: Claire Swannick, RWE
Humber Renewables Apprentice of the Year
Green collar jobs are the envy of many, providing a clear contribution to a better world, with highly skilled on-task learning the backbone of career starts. It is an industry at the heart of levelling-up and perceived vocational and academic differences were swept away on an early tide when it came to getting ahead in renewables. We want to celebrate the success of those engaged in an apprenticeship programme. Enter here.
Sponsored by Boston Energy
Last year’s winner: Ria Matthews
Humber Renewables Champion 2024
The winner of this award will have a passionate focus on promoting the renewables industry in this region. It could be an individual, public sector body or company – the key is a real focus on making the Humber the Energy Estuary. They will have tirelessly campaigned to promote green power. A worthy winner would be anyone who has helped attract new investment, encouraged Government support of the ambition or paved the way for more jobs. It could also be an organisation or person who has ensured the reputation stretches beyond the region. Judges will be looking for candidates whose aim was not just to further their own business, but to create opportunities for all. This is a special award, bestowed by the panel.
Last year’s winner: Kurt Christensen, Wind Power Support.