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 agreement to unify last summer.
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Andrew Oliver, chair, revealed the new branding at the climax of the welcome evening ahead of the conference proper on Thursday.
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.”
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.
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.
Melanie Onn, deputy chief executive of trade body RenewableUK 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.”
