Awards season is upon us, and we’re gearing up to celebrate the best green businesses in the region.
The Brits and Baftas have been, we’ve even had the first domestic football cup final, so with accolades on point, now is the time to get that entry in. Humber Renewables Awards 2023 take place as the finale to the 10th anniversary-celebrating Offshore Wind Connections conference and exhibition in May, and the deadline for entries falls this month.
Those hoping to succeed in 11 of the 12 open categories have until March 19 to enter.
Read more: Director's pride at huge Hull job creation as super-sized blades enter production
It takes place at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Hull on May 4, the climax to two days of celebrations with Humber Marine and Renewables.
Reach Plc, publisher of Business Live as well as the Hull Daily Mail, Grimsby Telegraph and Scunthorpe Telegraph news brands, is behind the event, entering its 11th year.
And it is against the backdrop of the huge £186 million investment from Siemens Gamesa that is now creating 300 jobs that it returns to Hull for 2023.
The blade plant’s footprint is being doubled, with work now underway on the next-generation 108m long blades for 14MW turbines. It has already supplied three of Orsted’s wind farms in the near North Sea, with the developer and operator just launching its largest apprenticeship intake for turbine technicians.
Business editor David Laister said: “I’m really looking forward to this year’s event, with so much happening in the sector. There will be a lot of interest in how offshore wind is now becoming the maturing partner for hydrogen production, adding another dimension to the acceleration of generation capacity in the Ƶ. The awful Russian invasion of Ukraine that has dominated the past year has underlined the importance of energy security too, with domestic and grid-level battery storage emerging as vital in balancing and protecting supply.
“As ever, the interest in the nominations will be high as new entrants appear alongside some significant experience in the sector.”
The year sees long-time sponsor Siemens Gamesa put its name to the Humber Renewables Champion award, with BAE Systems, DFDS, ORE Catapult, Orsted and RES Group all on board, with plenty of opportunities to get involved. For more information email tom.austin@reachplc.com or call 07834 855700. To enter the awards, visit .
This year’s categories for the Humber Renewables Awards:
Humber Renewables Small Business of the Year (under 50 employees)
Sponsored by
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. .
Last year’s winner: Pure Renewables
Humber Renewables Medium / Large Business of the Year (over 50 employees)
Sponsored by
Running a major company is tough in any field but 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. .
Last year’s winner: Orsted
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. .
Last year’s winner: CorrBoard
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. .
Last year’s winner: Thrive
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. .
Last year’s winner: Orsted Visitors Centre
Green Innovation
Sponsored by
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. .
Last year’s winner: Phillips 66 Humber Refinery
Diversity and Inclusion Award
A new award last year, and returning for 2023. If you always do what you always did, you’ll always get what you always got. It isn’t just the work that needs to evolve, 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 at a local and national level, that is changing. We want to celebrate that success, acknowledge effort and reward the results. .
Last year’s winner: Havelock Academy, Orsted and WiME Raising Aspirations Programme
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. .
Last year’s winner: Positive Activities Developments
Humber Renewables Women of the Year
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. .
Last year’s winner: Jordan Brompton, co-founder, Myenergi
Humber Renewables Apprentice of the Year
Sponsored by
Another award that debuted last 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 the vocational and academic differences are swept away on an early tide when it comes to getting ahead in renewables.
We want to celebrate the success of those engaged in an apprenticeship programme in 2021/22. .
Last year’s winner: Jacob Jones, Pure Renewables
Humber Renewables Champion 2022
Sponsored by
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, and no entries will be required, as judges select.
Last year’s winner: Melanie Onn, deputy chief executive, Renewable Ƶ
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