Excellence in the region’s green economy has been celebrated in fine style.
Humber Renewables Awards brought the best success stories from the Energy Estuary together as a fitting finale to a milestone Offshore Wind Connections conference and exhibition.
The event, hosted by BusinessLive publisher Reach Plc, crowned individuals, businesses and organisations playing their part in a sector reshaping the regional economy.
Read more: Humber's offshore wind exemplar status toasted
And having celebrated a decade of delivery of the Humber conference championing the industry, an ever present there and early ambassador for the region’s key cluster was crowned Humber Renewables Champion.
Kurt Christensen was presented with the accolade by Siemens Gamesa, having played a crucial role in the formative years of an industry, when it was purely cabins and contacts, not conferences and networking organisations.
A founder member of Grimsby Renewables Partnership, which last year merged with Team Humber Marine Alliance to create Humber Marine and Renewables, the fish auctioneer and Danish consul was integral to landing major investment and ensuring key personnel and families were made welcome. He went on to form a key supply business for the sector.
He said: “To get an award like this for doing something I have really enjoyed doing is amazing. We had companies coming into the town, investing billions, and we had people coming across with families. I will convince anyone to invest in Grimsby, but you have to win over the children and families too. I would show them what a nice place it is, it only took a few hours, but it was important to show it was not just a noisy road heading to a broken down ice factory. I’d show them the parks, the places they could go to just outside, and all of a sudden they wanted to bring their children with them. Getting the business here was one thing, but making sure they were happy and families were happy, that was the thing I did differently.”
Also taking a major award was Associated British Ports, with a decade of collaboration with Hull City Council and Siemens recognised to land the now expanding blade plant, as well as incredible efforts to clean up the maritime sector, with huge steps in electrifying quayside operations around the estuary. Anthony Murray, ABP's utilities manager, described it as "great recognition" and timely with the 2040 strategy just launched. "The team working with us on renewables do fantastic jobs," he added.
The project accolade went to the Pillswood battery storage facility at Cottingham.
Delivered by Harmony Energy, chief executive Peter Kavanagh was delighted to pick up a “Yorkshire award for a Yorkshire company” having accelerated delivery to help secure supply ahead of this last winter following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He said: “It means an awful lot. Pillswood is eight years in the making and the biggest battery storage facility in the whole of Europe.
“Recognition is wonderful, there are a lot of people to thank, our main partner is Tesla and we have some great partners with whom we have a great relationship, and a wonderful team creating a sustainable future. And the most exciting thing about it all is we can build without taxpayer support.”
Efforts in engaging next generation rewarded
Several projects across a clutch of categories involved direct action in education, with the future workforce a key theme in the preceding Offshore Wind Connections 2023 conference.
It had heard how a further 10,000 workers will be required in addition to the current 4,700 serving in the Humber by 2030 - and with that date just seven years ago - many will now be in schools around the Energy Estuary.
Woman of the Year Claire Swannick is a logistics co-ordinator for Triton Knoll offshore wind farm, an RWE investment off the Humber. A STEM ambassador since 2016, and now building a team of them, she led on the development of a Lego Wind Energy Workshop for Key Stage Two, now delivered to more than 2,000 children.
“To be nominated with such fantastic women was incredible,” she said. “I work in a very industrial environment, I’m not a corporate-facing person, and I do really believe in giving back to the community.
“To work in this industry, in the shadow of the Dock Tower is incredible. As a child walking with my Dad I’d see it every day, and it is so important that the boys and girls I talk to about STEM realise what great careers there are in their home town.”
Skills development and inspiration of young minds for future careers in energy, is at the core of a scheme operating across East Riding of Yorkshire and funded by Dogger Bank Wind Farm. It focuses on an increase and expansion of STEM provision with bespoke programmes for teachers of ages three to 11 to raise knowledge and expertise, and won the Renewables Education award.
Sara Fletcher, education and skills partnership manager at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “For us, this Dogger Bank investment in early years - pupils so far away from the labour market - felt like a risk, but it has really paid off. Teachers have really embraced renewables and STEM, and really got on board with it. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next couple of years.”
Careers education is also being embedded in the primary curriculum as part of the project, fostering a ‘learn it, see it, be it’ ethos.
Lindsay Dougan, a senior manager for Dogger Bank with SSE, said: “We know it is the workforce of the future we are investing in. These young people are going to grow up with the wind farm producing their clean energy, and we’re so happy to be investing in their future.”
Engineering UTC North Lincolnshire worked with ORE Catapult to develop the Generation Net Zero project, growing it from a skills gap identified by primary school teachers to deliver the newly introduced design technology curriculum content, while engaging primary schoolchildren from under-represented groups in STEM and renewables education.
Jennifer Vincent, director of business development at the Scunthorpe school, said: “This is really unexpected, having been finalists with Phillips 66 and RES, both of whom work with us closely. It is absolutely fantastic to win and all down to the hard work of the students. Those at primary schools now, aged 10, will be 38 in 2050, a prime age to deliver Net Zero.It is so important to start early. It is not just about school leavers and apprentices, we are now working with 32 primary schools.”
Shaun Lyons, HFR Solutions' operations director, collected the Community Project accolade, having funded and installed a new sustainable eco-friendly sensory garden at a care home, in what was described as a "project very personal to us".
He said: "Without the amazing people in the room who employ our services we wouldn't be able to commit to making such a community return."
The Humber Renewables Awards 2023 roll of honour:
Engaging the Community / Community Project
Sponsored by RWE Renewables Ltd
Winner: HFR Solutions CIC
Humber-based community interest company specialising in workplace safety training and emergency response. It works closely with organisations, businesses and communities to help better plan, prepare and respond in the event of an emergency. It funded and installed a new sustainable eco-friendly sensory garden at a care home.
Finalists: Generation Net Zero, Orsted / Culture House
Small Business of the Year (under 50 employees)
Sponsored by Orsted
Winner: RSUK Group
A five-strong team offers solar, electrical and EV services, as well as insurance and finance company-backed maintenance and repairs. In the past 12 months it has underlined its ability to deliver large-scale projects in-house, delivering award-winning service. It has targeted new-build car charging requirements across the county as a high-growth segment.
Finalists: Bureau Technical Services, HDM Solar.
Best Renewable Energy Project or Installation
Winner: Pillswood Project , Harmony Energy
Europe’s largest battery storage system has been built alongside Creyke Beck substation at Cottingham, near Hull. Delivery was accelerated to ease the potential winter energy crisis brought on by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and subsequent gas-supply pressures. It features Tesla technology and can power 300,000 homes for two hours.
Finalists: Electric Fish Van Fleet Project, Loyal Leaders.
Excellence in Renewable Skills & Training
Sponsored by Swire Energy Services
Winner: RES
Independent renewable energy company launched its first dedicated wind turbine technician apprenticeship programme in 2022, in Grimsby, with a seven-strong cohort ranging from 16 to 26, including school leavers and former military personnel. A future careers and training manager has also been recruited, to identify opportunities for further development of employees.
Finalists: CWind, Hexis
Renewables Education
Sponsored by University of Hull / Aura Innovation Centre
Winner: East Riding of Yorkshire Council / Dogger Bank Wind Farm
Skills development and inspiration of young minds for future careers in energy, funded by Dogger Bank Wind Farm. It focuses on an increase and expansion of STEM provision with bespoke programmes for teachers of ages three to 11 to raise knowledge and expertise. Careers education is also being embedded in the primary curriculum. Fostering a ‘learn it, see it, be it’ ethos.
Finalists: C3 Group, Phillips 66
Green Innovation
Sponsored by ORE Catapult
Winner: Cellform Hydrogen
Manufacturer of specialist bipolar plates for electrolysers and fuel cells in the emerging hydrogen market. Designed to provide best possible stack power and efficiency and described as key in the link between renewable electrical and chemical energy, with pioneering work being undertaken on the Humber. Production set-up is scaled up easily by the German-headquartered operation.
Finalists: Finboot Tech, University of Aberdeen
Diversity and Inclusion Award
Winner: Generation Net Zero
Engineering UTC North Lincolnshire worked with ORE Catapult to develop the project, growing it from a skills gap identified by primary school teachers to deliver the newly introduced design technology curriculum content, while engaging primary schoolchildren from under-represented groups in STEM and renewables education.
Finalists: Phillips 66, RES
Woman of the Year
Winner: Claire Swannick
Originally a materials handler, the logistics co-ordinator for Triton Knoll offshore wind farm was inspired by renewables while working in oil and gas, going on to facilitate crew transfer vessel logistics on Humber Gateway before switching to its RWE big sister. A STEM ambassador since 2016, and now building a team of them, she led on the development of a Lego Wind Energy Workshop for Key Stage Two, now delivered to more than 2,000 children.
Finalists: Siobhan Mooney, Jenny Sutcliffe, Jennifer Vincent.
Apprentice of the Year
Sponsored by BAE Systems
Winner: Ria Matthews
Fourth year offshore wind turbine technician apprentice with Siemens Gamesa, currently working on Hornsea Two. Gives her time as a STEM ambassador with young people and female-specific groups. Having reached the highest sea cadet rank she is now part of the volunteer work force within her unit, and became the youngest officer in the organisation nationwide.
Finalists: Mollie Mills, Arthur Wells, RWE cohort
Medium / Large Business of the Year
Sponsored by DFDS
Winner: Associated British Ports
Humber Renewables Champion
Sponsored by Siemens Gamesa
Winner: Kurt Christensen
