The Humber is an exemplar for the global offshore wind industry.
That was the view of key national and local figures as the 10th Offshore Wind Connections exhibition and conference opened.
The decade of delivery provided a perfect platform for reflection, with a strong turn out for trade body RenewableUK’s Connect networking event to launch the two-day programme. The event has blossomed as the industry has developed, with world-leading wind farms backed up by a world-class operations and maintenance cluster and the might of Siemens Gamesa's manufacturing and assembly.
Read more: Two new state-of-the-art offshore wind vessels are heading to Grimsby
Jane Cooper, director of offshore wind at RenewableUK welcomed many of the 350 delegates booked onto the event, taking place in Hull.
Speaking to BusinessLive, she said: “Events like this really showcase what has been achieved on the Humber. We see everyone working together, there is a lot of pride, and rightly so, as this area is an exemplar.
Having started in the role eight months ago, with the primary aim the delivery of the sector deal, for which so much work was done in the Humber, Ms Cooper’s particular focus was on the job creation.
She said: “We’re at 4,000 people working in the industry in the region now, and it is expected we need to get to 10,000; that’s an incredible amount of people working in the sector and living in the region. Wind has created jobs, local jobs, for young people who want to stay in the region and work in the region. People are moving into the region too, but it is the aspiration, the fact people can see what is happening on their doorstep. People here know they can do that, and that this is the place to be to get the jobs that they want.”
Very familiar with the offer, having worked for Orsted for a decade prior to joining the trade body - a firm working towards 800 direct employees at its £14 million East Coast Hub on Grimsby’s Royal Dock, she told how it was a gradual build as the projects reach critical mass.
“It was never going to be an on/off switch where one day you have all the people there,” she said, having served the Danish giant in public affairs, stakeholder relations and the regulatory sphere. “It is incremental, gradually people are making their way, and it is not about competition with the likes of oil and gas, hydrogen or maritime, it is collaboration, working together to have consistency of standards, understanding what is on offer and making sure people can move between. But moreover, it isn’t just transferable jobs, it is making sure - and I have a 20-year-old and a 17-year-old - it is making sure the routes are established for them. There is a lot on offer and it is very exciting.”
The exhibition hall at the Doubletree by Hilton was open ahead of the conference proper on Thursday, with Patrick Harnett, a lead executive for Orsted, the keynote speaker.
Andrew Oliver, chair of organiser Humber Marine and Renewables, was delighted with the attendance and what has been achieved by the event.
He said: “It is super to see the tenth edition of Offshore Wind Connections be the biggest yet, with so many attending.
“What it has done, this exhibition over the years, is played its part in showcasing the Humber to the world. Yes there are other exhibitions in the UK and Europe, but this is our Humber exhibition and conference and we have flown the flag for the local area.
“Our greatest achievement has been being the voice for the Humber and putting it on the map. It has gone from humble beginnings to a conference that is international in flavour. It echoes the sector on the Humber, where we have gone from attracting and building our own wind farms in the region to now the likes of the US, Singapore and Japan wanting to understand it all from us, and tap into our knowledge. It is a world exemplar, and this exhibition and conference has helped that.”
OWC 2023 will close with Reach Plc’s Humber Renewables Awards.
Read next:
Offshore wind 5G ‘living lab’ to be developed on the Humber
Hessle firm wins quality assurance contract on record-breaking German wind farm
Orsted committed to 'green-lighting' £8b Hornsea Three
Maritime UK's Offshore Wind Plan launches in Grimsby
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