The shortlist can now be revealed for the Humber Renewables Awards.
Returning as a live event for 2022, judges have met and categories have been assessed.
It comes with the title of world’s largest offshore wind farm changing hands but staying in the region, as Hornsea Two emerges to take Hornsea One’s crown - with the Humber chosen by the CBI as its cluster forerunner as it aims to help supercharge the Levelling Up agenda.
Read more: United Humber's vital role in green energy spotlight underlined with merger completion at OWC22
And while the securing of operations and maintenance for the Sofia project, further wins at various stages in the planning and consenting stages and our headline sponsor Siemens Gamesa ’s huge ongoing expansion all happening, there’s way more than wind raising eyebrows.
With wider decarbonisation than the electricity grid now seeing the cleaning up of heavy industry, transport and homes, the green awards now celebrating a decade of delivery on our patch are welcoming a widening interest.
Recent weeks have seen sustainable aviation fuel emerge, with further plans forthcoming, while hydrogen is seen as a game-changer for the region.
Following the successful Offshore Wind Connections event last month, which saw Team Humber Marine Alliance and Grimsby Renewables Partnership merge, judging was one of the first roles for directors of the new entity, Andrew Oliver and Camilla Carlbom Flinn, joining Humber region business editor for organiser Reach Plc, David Laister.
Mr Oliver, an experienced maritime lawyer and former partner at Andrew Jackson Solicitors, said: “I feel we are in a very good place. The nominations were very varied and diverse and the nice thing is we have had entries from companies other than just the big organisations.
“While renewables for us may have been wind farms, wind farms, wind farms, we are now seeing more community stuff, different infrastructure such as hydrogen, a greater bandwidth of energy and renewable technology.
“The entries really confirm the Humber as the Energy Estuary - they have a real breadth.”
Mrs Carlbom Flinn, who chairs Stallingborough-based specialist agency Carlbom Shipping, said: “It was a fascinating cross-section of companies and I think it is wonderful to see such community support and involvement in all of those we saw. That, for me, was the stand-out from the process. It is not just companies doing it for themselves, but for the good of the wider community - and that often appears to come hand-in-hand with renewables.
“We’ve also seen incredibly important projects on both sides of the river, with entries from volunteers to organisations employing thousands.”
Winners will be revealed on the night, with Emma Jesson to host the celebratory event at DoubleTree by Hilton Forest Pines Spa & Golf Resort on Thursday, June 9.
For details and more information about the awards visit www.humberrenewables.com.
2022 Humber Renewables Awards shortlist
Engaging the Community
EMS Ltd
Hull charity looking to alleviate food and fuel poverty has developed six community allotment sites, where production also stops social isolation, while working with major food producers to avoid surplus heading to landfill.
More than 67 tonnes was diverted in the last financial year, through six community shops in city locations. Practical energy efficiency support and advice is also given, while providing lessons on cooking budget-friendly meals.
Grimsby Community Energy Ltd
A 75-member owned community benefit society operating in the Freeman Street area.
The past year has seen it raise £78,000 through a community share offer to install a 98kW solar PV system on the roof of the new YMCA Humber building, with first generation in September.
It makes up almost half of the organisation’s installed capacity, with the cheaper electricity sold back to occupants - with several including charities and social enterprises.
Positive Activities Developments
The community interest company is behind Humberston Eco Conservation Centre, described as a unique off-grid community set in 15-acres.
A total of £450,000 has been invested in access, bore water supply, community cafe and biowaste unit, all powered by wind, solar and battery technology.
It was used as a case study at COP26 as an exemplar for humanitarian aid, while helping inspire young people in renewables and conservation.
Humber Renewables Woman of the Year
Sponsored by RWE
Jordan Brompton, chief marketing officer, Myenergi
Described as a renewable pioneer, eco warrior and mumpreneur, she is half of the founding partnership of Myenergi, one of the fastest growing green tech companies, based in Stallingborough.
Committed to her roots, she has played a pivotal role in ensuring opportunities are developed in the area she is from, with 350 now employed, while her marketing and promotional abilities ensured vital early exposure when funding was tight.
Clare McVeigh, operations manager, Orsted
Blazing a trail for the industry, she has pioneered a new route to her role in looking after Westermost Rough offshore wind farm.
Having previously been the preserve of wind turbine technicians, she moved from a land-based coordination role, with colleagues praising her strong leadership qualities, courage and resilience, as well as the environment for teamwork she has created.
Tricia Percy, executive PA, Orsted
Having worked in the offshore wind industry for eight years, she has delivered “consistent excellence with everything she touches, keeping front-end operations teams delivering safely and efficiently” according to the citation.
She started as site assistant at Westermost Rough with the company’s first employees, and is now executive PA to the head of East Coast Region, Darren Ramshaw, and a change ambassador. She played a key part in the delivery of the visitor centre
Renewables Education
Sponsored by Vestas
Havelock Academy & Orsted WiME Raising Aspirations Programme
A six month pilot programme was created to help raise aspirations and interest in manufacturing and engineering with female students.
It followed analysis of job applications by WiME, showing a marked difference based on deprived or affluent areas, with female applications to the sector as low as 10 per cent.
The offshore wind developer worked with the closest secondary school to its huge Grimsby base, sending in female staff to promote the opportunities the industry offered.
Orsted Visitors Centre
Launched in September last year, it is described as opening the door to a hidden world of wind energy, showcasing the world-leading industry on the Humber.
Located at the East Coast Hub on Grimsby’s Royal Dock, models, activities and interactive displays are bolstered by views across the port entrance, with organised groups and schools welcomed to take in exactly what a career can offer, and what green energy can contribute.
The Waterline Summit Sustainability Challenge
2021 saw the Marketing Humber team inspire students to make a positive impact on the environment by creating innovative solutions to harmful problems.
The challenge, through artwork, campaigns, concepts, apps, and games, also allowed 11 to 18-year-olds to learn about Humber-based businesses and organisations, providing an insight into what sustainable careers and skills development the Humber has to offer, while the winning team went to COP 26.
Renewable Energy Project
CorrBoard
The Scunthorpe-based corrugated cardboard provider describes itself as one of the most environmentally efficient manufacturers in Europe.
Sitting behind that statement is a £7 million investment in anaerobic digestion. CorrBoard Bioenergy provides all the energy needs for the business, now an employer of 95 people.
Three quarters of the paper used is recycled, with computerised conveyors and palletisation ensuring the most effective and efficient operations.
Hornsea Two
First power on the Orsted wind farm now taking the title of ‘world’s largest’ was achieved late last year, with the 1.32GW capacity surpassing ‘little’ sister Hornsea One.
Featuring 165 turbines, all 495 blades were built in Hull with pre-installation assembly there too.
It will be operated and maintained from Grimsby with a green service operation vessel to support, with battery and dual fuel engines capable of running off e-methanol, removing 4,500 tonnes of CO2.
Triton Knoll
The most powerful offshore wind farm constructed by RWE, and one of the leading projects in terms of turbine evolution, it was completed in September last year, as planned, through a pandemic.
A £2 billion investment off the Lincolnshire coast, based in Grimsby, at the busiest period a total of 3,000 people were working on it, with 5,500 in total.
It also boasts the longest onshore grid cable connection, at 52km.
Green Innovation
Sponsored by ORE Catapult
CorrBoard
Anaerobic-digestion provides the power for the 320,000 sq ft factory, from the owned neighbouring plant, providing the equivalent energy supply to that required by 1,500 homes.
Food waste is a major feedstock, with fertiliser a by-product, and providing packaging solutions for the industry helps achieve a circular economy in a sector under the microscope when it comes to environmental solutions.
Phillips 66 Humber Refinery
This year has seen it become the first UK producer of sustainable aviation fuel at commercial scale, securing a supply agreement with British Airways.
Half a million litres of sustainable waste feedstocks are handled daily, including cooking oil, following major investment.
The multi-year deal will enable BA to complete the equivalent of 700 transatlantic flights at zero emissions.
Systematic
Closing in on 50 years of business, the milestone year of 2025 has been set as the point the Caistor business aims to have reduced emissions as far as possible so it can offset the remainder and become carbon neutral.
The digital and graphic design, print, mailing and marketing resource provider has this year launched a sustainable corporate gift range, and switched to an entirely electric vehicle fleet while progressing further steps.
“We’re a small business with a conscience, which drives our innovation,” they said.
Small Business of the Year
Sponsored by Orsted
Cool Energy
The air source heat pump company designs and manufacturers products among the highest rated for efficiency in the country, while also sourcing globally.
Solutions are offered to suit all green energy builds, with support from sizing to installation offered by the eight-strong Grimsby team.
Four years on from launch it is collecting five-star reviews on Trust Pilot, while diversifying into pool pumps and battery storage.
Pure Renewables
Now bringing a 15-year track record to commercial and domestic energy solutions across heat pump, solar and thermal technologies, the Hull business has achieved year-on-year growth and is on target to turn over £4.5 million this year.
It bases the success on establishing strong design and delivery while investing in a management structure, winning work on significant local authority social housing projects.
The robust financial position allowed it to take up further opportunities presented through the pandemic.
Diversity and Inclusion
Havelock Academy & Orsted WiME Raising Aspirations Programme
A six month pilot programme was created to help raise aspirations and interest in manufacturing and engineering with female students.
It followed analysis of job applications by WiME, showing a marked difference based on deprived or affluent areas, with female applications to the sector as low as 10 per cent.
The offshore wind developer worked with the closest secondary school to its huge Grimsby base, sending in female staff to promote the opportunities the industry offered.
Orsted
The offshore wind developer has set itself a target of a 40 per cent female workforce by 2030 - well beyond the government target of 33 per cent.
With an apprenticeship programme entering its sixth year, four of the 17 are female, and the company has adopted recruitment strategy to attract and identify more women, with methods held up as best practice. Diverse panels, adapted adverts and a focus on role models have been positive interventions.
RWE Triton Knoll
Four female apprentices have been added to the 10-strong roster in the past two years, with a targeted recruitment campaign in the local area paying off.
The company developed a Careers in Offshore Wind short film, which has been used in schools nationwide to showcase roles available, featuring many of the “incredible women” working at RWE.
It has been impressed by the determination of applicants and encourages many more.
Excellence in Renewable Skills and Training
Thrive
The multimedia immersive programme is delivered at a purpose-built centre at Immingham, providing one-day interactive experience designed to transform behaviours and attitudes to safety.
Delivered by Orsted in partnership with ATT, it is a £1.4 million legacy project as part of Hornsea Two offshore wind farm’s delivery, and has been used to induct all personnel during construction.
It has been opened up to all companies in the renewables, maritime and related sectors.
Smarter Energy NEL
Launched in February with the local authority's 2040 Net Zero ambition at the fore, it is taking energy consumption and renewable transtion to the small business sector.
With a lack of knowledge evident from early discussions in the community, an energy champion initiative is being pursued, finding an employee in each SME engaged with to drive change. It builds on audit and workshop work, as well as as summit that drew in 65 businesses.
Almost 100 expressions of interest are being followed up, with date collation, consultation and potential grant funding allocation.
Apprentice of the Year
Sponsored by BAE Systems
Jacob Jones, Pure Renewables
Jointly nominated by his company and apprenticeship provider East Riding College - where he has picked up an outstanding contribution accolade, commitment, determination and focus to succeed has been identified.
From being reluctant to answer a phone, he now runs project assessments, hosting client calls confidently.
Adaptability, having had a challenging start to his career working from home was praised, while succession planning has seen the first apprentice in the department produce a guide for those who follow.
Jack Taylor, Orsted
The final year apprentice wind turbine technician’s can-do attitude is said to inspire colleagues, making him a role model for his team.
Commitment and technical knowledge has impressed, with a desire to learn new skills. Proud to be helping combat climate change, he has been interviewed by the media and is described as a “great spokesperson for not just Ørsted and apprenticeships but for a greener world”. He was named Grimsby Institute’s Apprentice Maintenance Engineer of the Year.
The Humber Renewables Medium / Large Business of the Year, sponsored by Specialist Equipment Solutions, and Humber Renewables Champion, sponsored by Siemens Gamesa, have been specially selected by the judges and will be revealed on the night.
