The Humber Renewables Awards is back for a 10th year, returning as a physical event as the industry it champions accelerates again.
Launching days after the bidding process for offshore wind projects was made an annual event to speed up the deployment of green energy, we’re gearing up for our own calendar highlight, celebrating all that has been achieved on the Energy Estuary.
It returns after a pandemic pause and subsequent online switch that helped maintain momentum for an industry that doesn’t skip a beat.
Read more: Winners' joy at Humber Renewables Awards success - the story of the great green night of 2021
The Humber Renewables Awards 2022, with headline sponsor Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy once again behind it, takes place on Thursday, June 9 - with a first South Bank hosting at DoubleTree by Hilton Forest Pines Spa & Golf Resort.
The celebration will be hosted by the returning Emma Jesson, but ahead of the big night there’s the matter of selecting the worthy winners from an incredible field.
Entries are now open for 10 of the 11 awards to be given out on the evening, with new additions focusing on apprentices and diversity and inclusion.
Siemens Gamesa puts its name to the renewable champion accolade, to be selected by the judges, with support from fellow sponsors BAE Systems, Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, Orsted, RWE, Vestas, across the categories, and programme-sponsor Grimsby Renewables Partnership.
And there’s so much to consider for the all-encompassing range.
Organiser Reach Plc’s business editor for the Humber region, David Laister said: “Yet again, it feels like the perfect time to be launching this incredible celebration of something so many share my passion for.
“We’ve seen RWE’s huge Triton Knoll offshore wind farm built out and fully commissioned, huge green hydrogen plans taking shape and even commitments to bring turbine recycling to the patch.
“Siemens Gamesa is on site doubling the size of the blade factory that brought large-scale manufacturing to the area’s world-leading offshore wind operations and maintenance credentials, while further substantial elements of the crucial supply chain have committed to Able Marine Energy Park. Offshore Orsted's Hornsea Two is nearly complete, with Hornsea Three and Four in the offing.
“Behind all sit vital service providers, enablers and supporters, all with a story to tell of growth and success.
"Strength, resilience and the ability to work in the most challenging of environments at a time when standard office work was disrupted will also be at the fore, ensuring the lights stay on, that there’s further protection from rocketing bills and maintaining that move closer to the Net Zero ambition.
“Offshore wind may well have put the Humber on the green map - but as the past decade of the awards have shown - there is much more to the region. World-leading commercial solar installations, pioneering electric vehicle charging and materials supply, huge work around traditional industry transition - the list goes on, and let’s keep adding to it.”
Read more: Ten ways to make your entry stand out for our business awards
The deadline for entries is Friday, April 29 with the simple process handled entirely online at www.humberrenewables.com.
Judges will shortlist finalists in each category ahead of the big reveal.
Sponsorship opportunities remain for the Humber Renewables Awards, with the opportunity to get you and your brand before industry leaders at a dedicated event. Contact Tom Austin on 07834 855700 or email tom.austin@reachplc.com for more details.
This year's categories:
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: Van Ameyde McAuslands
Humber Renewables Medium / Large Business of the Year (over 50 employees)
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: MyEnergi
Best Renewable Energy Project or Installation in the Humber Area
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: Hornsea One (Orsted)
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: Aura Innovation Centre (University of Hull)
Renewables Education
Sponsored by Vestas
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: The Waterline Summit (Marketing Humber)
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 coming up with a brand new solution. This award is not just open to energy firms, though. 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: Gigastack (Orsted, ITM Power, Phillips 66 and Element Energy)
Diversity and Inclusion Award
Our first of two new awards for 2022. 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.
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: HFR Solutions CIC
Humber Renewables Women of the Year
Sponsored by RWE Rewnewables UK
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: Corrine Barry (RES / Grimsby Renewables Partnership)
Humber Renewables Apprentice of the Year
Sponsored by BAE Systems
A second new award for 2022. 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.
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 the Government to support the region’s ambitions or paved the way for more jobs. With so many big energy firms based abroad, it could also be an organisation or person who has done their bit to ensure our reputation stretches beyond the UK’s shores. Judges will be looking for candidates whose aim was not just to further their own business but create opportunities for everyone. This is a special award, and no entries will be required. Judges will pick a winner they feel is most deserving.
Last year’s winner: Ben George, ORE Catapult general manager
