Leading the world when it comes to offshore wind, the Humber has seen critical mass help create the hotbed for a centre of excellence in the past 12 months, as scale brings further opportunity.
And in a week when new applications emerge for the clean, green electricity created by our beloved Energy Estuary, what better time to launch the Humber Renewables Awards 2020?
The nation’s spotlight has once again been cast on the region as the lion’s share of a £90 million investment to ease heavy industry’s emissions with hydrogen – powered by offshore wind – emerges with some of the South Bank’s largest employers, and for the first time in nine years of celebrating, the event is heading across the Humber Bridge too.
DoubleTree by Hilton Forest Pines Spa & Golf Resort will welcome the burgeoning industry on June 11. And with the run-up sandwiched between the completion of world-leading Hornsea One offshore wind farm and the start of construction work in the North Sea on her big sister, Hornsea Two, there couldn’t be a better time to pause – briefly – and reflect on a decade’s journey we’ve toasted.
From blade factory build to the latest expansion to meet the ever-enlarging turbine needs, our headline sponsor Siemens Gamesa is back on board once more, leading a stellar cast of supporting organisations to bring forward a night to remember.
EDS HV, MHI Vestas Offshore Wind, Orsted, RWE and Triton Knoll are joined by Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult – the innovation-inspiring organisation behind a commitment to launch an Offshore Wind Operations and Maintenance Centre of Excellence in Grimsby – first revealed as part of the Northern Powerhouse Energy and Clean Growth Conference held in Hull in November.
And while the huge projects create the headlines here, nationally and around the globe, with parties from the US, Taiwan, China and Australia taking in the Humber’s great strides, the awards also recognise the small footprints that help in times of heightened focus on decarbonisation amid a climate emergency.
Small scale solar, micro-generation and anaerobic digestion have all been recognised by the Humber Renewables Awards before, and we’re looking for the best endeavours of the past 12 months to highlight once more.
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Below are the details that help shape what our panel of judges will be looking for, and they’re hoping for a broad band of appealing entries to grace an event that has rapidly become a calendar highlight across the entire Humber region.
David Laister, organiser Reach Plc’s business editor for the Humber, said: “It has been an absolute privilege to watch the rise of renewables from a front-row seat. From the grips of recession this great green hope emerged, and is now at a scale many found incomprehensible when those tiny vessels first sailed from Grimsby’s decaying fish dock.
“The investment, imagination and innovation that has gone into the past 12 or so years should rightly be celebrated, as the rewards of the Energy Estuary’s endeavours ripple across a region and beyond. Excellence in an area clearly breeds success, as we’ve seen from higher education buy-in to hydrogen production plans, hotel investment to a commitment to Humber-wide working.
“I’d urge anyone involved in the industry, be it sailing out of our proud ports or touching a particular element of it, to get on board and share a great news story with us.”
The closing date for entries is May 10, with a dedicated website – – now live.
Good luck!
Awards categories, sponsors and criteria
Small Business of the Year sponsored by
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Open to firms with up to 50 staff, this will recognise those which 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 decided to invest in Hull was the great green infrastructure the Humber already has. From small-scale manufacturing to maintenance of turbines or services, there are so many ways to take advantage of the energy revolution. .
Best Renewable Energy Project or Installation sponsored by
This prize is for the designers, manufacturers or recipients of the best green energy installations. Judges will be looking for a winning project that produces clean power, is built to the highest of standards and shows off the region’s world-class 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.
Schools, colleges or stately homes with the latest green heating and energy technology are also welcome to apply. .
Excellence in Renewable Skills and Training sponsored by
Multi-national green energy companies may have their eyes on the region 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. They must have established a training programme, apprenticeship scheme, degree or other activity which is meeting the needs of individuals and the industry. .
Renewables Education sponsored by
This category will reward the educators who have done most to promote the value of clean power. 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.
Nominations will be able to demonstrate what the aims of the education 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 representatives of the renewables industry. .
Green Innovation sponsored by
Green energy’s ability to compete with fossil fuels has been brought about by bringing down costs – and that is where this award comes in.
It will reward firms of any size which go out of their way to be more efficient and are not afraid to come up with unusual approaches.
Judges will be looking to see how innovation has made a real difference. It could be developing a different business model, refining existing technology to make it leaner and more effective or coming up with a brand new way of generating power.
This award is not just open to energy firms. Companies that recycle oil or waste are also welcome to apply, as are businesses in other sectors which have thought up inventive methods of reducing their carbon footprint. .
Humber Renewables Medium/ Large Business of the Year sponsored by
Running a major company is tough in any field but an emerging sector like renewable energy is even harder than 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 green agenda. This award’s winner will be a regional firm with at least 50 employees and bold ambitions to become even bigger.
It could be looking to capitalise on investment through opportunities on land or at sea, or working in a totally different field.
Successful large and medium companies are vital for providing the infrastructure needed. Judges will be looking at past financial performance and recruitment in the past year. .
Engaging the Community / Community Project sponsored by
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 renewables industry project. Or this could be a renewables project driven by a local community or organisation. This could range from solar panels on a community hall or industrial space taken over with a renewable installation. .
Woman in Manufacturing and Engineering sponsored by
This award aims to recognise and celebrate professional women working in the energy sector who go above and beyond business-as-usual.
This may be someone who has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership, 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. .
Humber Renewables Champion sponsored by
The winner of this award will have a passionate focus on promoting the renewables industry. 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 the Government to support the region’s ambitions or paved the way for more jobs.
With so many big energy firms based abroad, it could also be an organisation or person who has done their bit to ensure our reputation stretches beyond the 海角视频’s shores.
Judges will be looking for candidates whose aim was not just to further their own business but create opportunities for everyone. This is a special award, nominations are not required. The panel will pick a winner they feel is most deserving.