Humber Renewables Awards 2023 are open for business!
Nominations are now being welcomed for the event, which will become the finale for the 10th anniversary celebrations of the region’s Offshore Wind Connections conference this year.
The two major green energy events come together to mark the milestone in a two-day extravaganza in May. The unification of the calendar highlights was first announced on the inaugural return flight between the Danish industry hub of Esbjerg and Humberside Airport , another key milestone for the sector when it comes to connectivity.
Read more: Humber's offshore wind could power North Sea's energy transition
Humber Marine and Renewables, the entity resulting from the merged Team Humber Marine Alliance and Grimsby Renewables Partnership member organisations, is behind the regional conference that has international appeal. Now immediately following it, will be the Humber Renewables Awards, with entries now open for 11 of the 12 category awards to be presented on the night of May 4. Successes from small businesses and projects to those truly world-leading, individual to international, will be recognised. The deadline for nominations is March 19.
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.
For the awards, long-time sponsor Siemens Gamesa puts 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 as the 10-week countdown begins. For more information about opportunities 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: Pure Renewables
Humber Renewables Medium / Large Business of the Year (over 50 employees)
Sponsored by DFDS
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. Enter here.
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. Enter here.
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. Enter here.
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. Enter here.
Last year’s winner: Orsted Visitors Centre
Green Innovation
Sponsored by ORE Catapult
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: 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. Enter here.
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. Enter here.
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. Enter here.
Last year’s winner: Jordan Brompton, co-founder, Myenergi
Humber Renewables Apprentice of the Year
Sponsored by BAE Systems
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. Enter here.
Last year’s winner: Jacob Jones, Pure Renewables
Humber Renewables Champion 2022
Sponsored by Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy
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 UK
