One of the Humber region’s leading figures in the renewables revolution has underlined the huge role played by the area’s people in helping make it happen.
Andy Sykes, plant director at Siemens Gamesa’s rapidly expanding Hull blade factory, poured praise on the efforts of the early adopters of the Energy Estuary as he gave the keynote speech at the Humber Renewables Awards.
Reflecting on the six years that have passed since first breaking ground on the site - with it now doubling in size to meet the demands of the next generation turbines, he said: “What astounds me is the sense of pride our colleagues from the Humber region have, and the overwhelming support we have received since the site’s inception, to create something that I believe is truly special.
Read more: Winners crowned at Humber Renewables Awards
“The growing focus on our shared target of Net Zero is attracting followers, entrepreneurs and new enterprises coming online regularly to join our shared journey. We are really creating and developing the future and showing the way for the rest of the UK, Europe and beyond.
“We would not have created this sense of excitement without the amazing people who are part of the renewables sector. You have made it happen, with your unwavering ambition for the Humber to be a pioneer, a leading light in the UK’s quest towards a sustainable energy future, an approach that has placed this part of the country on the international stage.”
He said the Humber Renewables Awards shortlist and the event’s growth “shows that the Humber has embraced renewable energy,the challenge of net zero and everything that goes with it,” adding it was something the company wanted to be involved in for many years to come.
Describing winners as “helping to develop the future of our sector” and a “growing demonstration of the ability of the region to deliver, he told how “in the last couple of years, despite impacts of the pandemic, we have seen astonishing progress and attention on our region”.
Mr Sykes highlighted the COP26 Eyes on the Humber showcase film, the hosting of policy makers and delegates from around the globe, and at Green Port Hull, the weekly welcoming of colleagues from a new plant in France to “learn from our talented workforce”.
And the interest in joining that workforce is driving him on, having told of his honour at leading a number of talented teams.
“Our footprint in Hull is growing with our blade facility almost doubling in size, enabling us to build even larger blades for the newest and biggest offshore turbines.
“For everyone this should be seen as a true reward for the hard work and determination of the people of this area, who have embraced what we are doing and are continually producing the best blades in our business. Is it that determination and the people who have embraced our desire to be the best that has earned us that ability to expand our facility, earned us the opportunity to grow and to secure careers for their future.
“In the next few months we’ll begin to welcome new colleagues to our team, and alongside you provide new opportunities for the future talent in the Humber.
“It goes to show that UK leaders and industry support our aspirations, and more importantly believe - like I do - that we are part of the solution here in the Humber.
“I am immensely impressed with how organisations in the Humber work together to reach a common goal.
“That collaboration and messaging is taking hold.”
Inspired by the hundreds of applications to join the sector, he added: “From that I take great motivation, in that there are so many people, not just at entry level, eager to join the inspiring world of renewables and the drive towards Net Zero.
“Our collective purpose is clear, and it is igniting the imagination of the next generation and those who share that same goal; those who want to join an industry that has amazing opportunities to grow a successful career and a sustainable future.”
