The Humber’s leading role in the energy sector’s intense spotlight has been highlighted as renewables conference Offshore Wind Connections opened.
And a need to speak with one voice about the cluster was underlined, with the merger of organiser Team Humber Marine Alliance with Grimsby Renewables Partnership assisting that.
Formalised ahead of the event launch, Humber Marine and Renewables is the name to take the organisation forward, following the .
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Andrew Oliver, chair, revealed the new branding at the climax of the welcome evening ahead of the .
He said: “Recent world events have highlighted the importance of the availability of energy and energy security.
“The Net Zero agenda, COP26 and the recent events in Eastern Europe mean our industry has never been more in the spotlight, or indeed more important.
“The Humber, the North East and North Sea area are already regarded as world leaders and exemplars and those attending this exhibition are all examples of such leadership.”
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Of the unification, Mr Oliver said: “We realise the need for cluster working, and whatever the politics may be, this business is a pan-Humber business and needs pan-Humber representation. Team Humber Marine Alliance and Grimsby Renewables Partnership agreed it needed to present one voice and be one organisation. I’m very pleased to confirm our merger as of today.”
Humber Local Enterprise Partnership was disbanded when South Bank local authorities looked to Lincoln for devolution. Government has listened to the wider business sector and brought Opportunity Humber forward, and now the maritime and renewables sector is shoring up links too.
Hull and East Yorkshire Local Enterprise vice chair, Stephen Parnaby, said: “I have never been so optimistic about the future. I think this area really has at long last got a fabulous future to look forward to. We are at the forefront of renewable energy, we are known as the Energy Estuary on the Humber. The government is pushing announcements in offshore wind, we lead the way, and we have to be part and parcel of that.”
Outlining the wider Net Zero agenda and how things are happening now ahead of 2040, he said the ports are growing and enthused about the freeport opportunity, confident the final business case will be signed off soon.
Humber Renewables Awards 2022
Entries are now open for the Humber Renewables Awards 2022.
Celebrating a 10th year of recognising success in the green economy, inspired by efforts on the Energy Estuary, the event takes place at DoubleTree by Hilton Forest Pines Hotel in North Lincolnshire on Thursday, June 9.
The deadline for entries to the 10 awards open for nominations is Friday, April 29.
Click here to read this year's launch article, or skip straight to the dedicated website.
Mr Parnaby added that Opportunity Humber will also “give us direct access to government, something we have been lacking for many years,” having been brought forward as part of the Levelling Up White Paper. “It is good news, the economy of the Humber is really ,really bright, working together,” he said.
The Spa, Bridlington, provided the venue for the return to the live event, with hundreds of delegates and scores of exhibitors.
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Melanie Onn, deputy chief executive of trade body Renewable海角视频 also addressed the opening night.
Speaking directly to the companies in the room, she said: “Recognise the importance of the role you are playing in the local economy. It is growing and building with renewables more than it has ever done before. We have had this industry in our area for more than a decade, it was the best kept secret, even living in Grimsby (where she was MP in her home town between 2015 and 2019) I didn’t realise the amount of work taking place in the dock. It is an opportunity for local companies to work in their own back yard, to get contracts with these big companies and to build that network across the country.
“Seeing the growth, the jobs and opportunity coming, these are not just back yard opportunities, they are around the entirety of the country and beyond. This is a global industry and connections made today really could take you anywhere in the world as the industry flourishes and confidence grows.”
A new era as Humber Marine and Renewables launches
Cementing the two organisations’ partnership brings more than 200 member companies into a united organisation.
A greater brand presence, presentation of a single voice for the Humber region on the national and international stage, along with enhanced business opportunities are the aim.
At the formal signing, Andrew Oliver, director at Humber Marine and Renewables, said that the merger was highly significant for the region and represented a new era for member companies.
“We now have one voice and one ambition, which is to bring more offshore wind and maritime business to the region and our membership," he said.
“Both Grimsby Renewables Partnership and Team Humber Marine Alliance developed a reputation with global reach and had members spanning the length and breadth of the supply chain. Bringing the two organisations together creates an unrivalled bank of skills and experience.
“We are very proud to launch Humber Marine and Renewables and I feel hugely privileged to be part of this highly influential Humber maritime and offshore wind group.”
THMA launched in 1995, adding the emerging renewables to its maritime focus as it emerged. GRP was formalised in the late Noughties, having its origins in an informal network to help early projects.
Katharine York, director, said: “Humber Marine and Renewables is the culmination of a huge amount of hard work and goodwill by the two former organisations. The key to their success was the energy and ambition of the private sector and their strategic collaboration with the public and education sectors who have provided invaluable support over the years.
“Humber Marine and Renewables will be a powerful alliance between the north and south banks, combining the operations and maintenance focus of Grimsby Renewables Partnership with the maritime knowledge of Team Humber Marine Alliance. It will be an advocate for the whole of the Humber.”
The new board of directors are Graham Billany, formerly of Team Humber Marine Alliance, Frank Butterfield of Best Service, Camilla Carlbom Flinn of Carlbom Shipping, Jonathan Goolden of Wilkin Chapman Solicitors, Andrew Oliver of Andrew Jackson Solicitors and Katharine York of Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult.