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AWARDS TO HIGHLIGHT THE EDUCATORS, BUILDERS AND INNOVATORS SPARKING FUTURE GROWTH
The pioneering firms powering Humber region’s green revolution
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t is the most important date in the region’s green power calendar. The Humber Renewables Awards is returning for a seventh year and will recognise success across nine categories, honouring firms large and small for doing their bit to make this area a fulcrum of green energy. With prizes up for grabs for educators, builders and innovators, the competition promises to reward the best of the best, with the celebration taking place at The Hallmark Hotel, North Ferriby, on Friday, May 11. The dinner will gather together industry leaders and experts from both sides of the Humber and beyond. The event is again being sponsored by Siemens, which has seen the first blades produced from its Alexandra Dock facility in the last year, with numerous highlights including a visit from Her Majesty the Queen. Siemens head of port operations, Barry Denness said that 2017 proved to be an amazing year for the firm, making huge strides in the development of offshore wind farms in the region. “We have had an amazing year supporting UK City of Culture with the installation of
When The Queen visited the Siemens Alexandra Dock facility
Blade and welcoming Her Majesty The Queen. “On top of this, Siemens Wind Power and Gamesa merged to form Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy – a world-leading wind power provider, with an unrivalled global presence and an excellent position in an
attractive growth market. The two companies complement one another almost perfectly and boast a unique product portfolio. “Race Bank Offshore Wind Farm, off the north Norfolk coast was the first project we delivered from Hull. It has now achieved full power and is capable of powering over half a
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million homes with green energy. “This really underlines the strength of the UK supply chain to support the growth of offshore wind in this country.” Mr Denness said that 2017 proved to be a year of firsts, with focus at the Alexandra Dock blade facility firmly on producing turbines for Orsted’s Hornsea Prject One. “Another first, this time for Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, was the installation of our 7MW turbines at Walney East, off the coast of Cumbria,” he said. “This has also began to generate power. “This year, our focus is on Hornsea where we have been selected to deliver 7MW turbines and blades. When Hornsea is fully operational, it is expected to generate enough power for well over 1m homes. “Our headline sponsorship of the Humber Renewables Awards is part of our commitment to develop the Humber region as a world-class hub for renewable energy.”
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Renewables Awards HUMBER RENEWABLES AWARDS IS ENTERING ITS SEVENTH YEAR AND THE FIELD OF POTENTIAL APPLICANTS IS STRONGER THAN EVER
2018
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anaging director of the Hull Daily Mail Mike Pennington highlighted the importance of the Humber is Britain’s drive towards greener energy. He said: “When these awards started, the idea we could be a world leader in green energy was no more than a pipe dream. “But in 2018, we are an absolutely key part in Britain’s drive to be a greener nation. “Our success is due to the efforts of many dedicated businesses, large and small, and we’re looking forward to giving them some well-deserved recognition.” Over the last 12 months, the region has seen the first wind turbine blades exported from Hull’s Siemens factory, work continue on Spender Group’s innovative £300m Energy Works plant and continued work by Humber-based Orsted on the world-leading Hornsea Project One offshore wind farm. Mr Pennington thanked all the competition’s sponsors for their support, and said it showed the region was behind their green ambitions. He said: “Staging these awards would not be possible without the dedicated backing of firms from all industries. “The companies that are struggling to make green power a profitable and successful field should take heart from their commitment.” Bailey Bradley, operations director, at sponsors XceCo said: “XceCo are proud to be sponsoring the award for Best renewables project as we want to applaud and bring attention to the risk takers and those who endeavour in industry to bring about change and make our goal of a renewable future, a reality. “As a new entrant to the community, XceCo, is by definition and innovator in our field, and we as we strive to continue in that mould we want to recognise the spirit of innovation, and kindle the spark of creativity in others. “Projects can be all consuming, and we are very pleased to be able to shine the spotlight of recognition on one of the most deserving of categories, we applaud the hard work and efforts of all the entries and nominees and wish them all the very best of luck.” The award nominations are now open and entries must be submitted by Friday April 6. The awards ceremony will be held on Friday, May 11, at the Hallmark Hotel, North Ferriby. Visit ww.hulldailymail.co.uk/all-about/ renewables to find the full criteria for every award and how to enter.
Below are this year’s awards categories, sponsors and criteria Humber Renewables Small 1 Business of the Year (under 50 employees)
Enter online
www.hulldailymail.co.uk /renewables
■ Category sponsor: Cobus Communications
This category is open to firms with up to
‘The Humber is absolutely a key part in Britain’s drive to be a greener nation’ 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. Schools, colleges or stately homes with the latest green heating and energy technology are welcome to apply.
in Renewable Skills 3 Excellence and Training
Mike Pennington 50 staff and will recognise those which 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 decided to invest in Hull was the great green infrastructure the Humber already has. From small-scale manufacturing to maintenance of turbines or services, there are so many ways to take advantage of the energy revolution.
Best Renewable Energy 2 Project or Installation in the Humber Area ■ Category sponsor: XceCo This prize is for the designers and manufacturers behind the best green energy installations. Judges will be looking for a winning project that produces clean power, is built to the highest of standards and shows off the region’s world-class expertise. The category is open to schemes of any scale, from multi-million-pound developments to micro-generation programmes.
■ Category sponsor: Arco Multi-national green energy companies may have their eyes on the region but success in bringing them here means nothing if they cannot find qualified East Yorkshire 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. They must have established a training programme, apprenticeship scheme, degree or other activity which is meeting the needs of individuals and the industry.
4 Renewables Education
■ Category sponsor: Hull College This category will reward the educators who have done most to promote the value of clean power. 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. Nominations will be able to demonstrate what the aims of the education 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 representatives of the renewables industry.
5 Green Innovation
■ Category sponsor: ABP If green energy is ever going to compete with fossil fuels, it needs to bring down
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The Siemens Alexandra Dock facility in Hull
Last year’s Renewable Skills and Training winners, Green Port Hull - The Pathway to employment programme
costs – and that is where this award comes in. It will reward firms of any size which go out of their way to be more efficient and are not afraid to come up with unusual approaches. Judges will be looking to see how innovation has made a real difference to their work. 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 way of generating power. This award is not just open to energy firms, though. Companies which recycle oil or waste are also welcome to apply, as are businesses in other sectors which have thought up inventive methods of reducing their carbon footprint.
Humber Renewables 6 Medium/ Large Business of the Year (over 50 employees)
Running a major company is tough in any field but an emerging sector like renewable energy is even harder than most. Business have to be instantly adaptable, on top of the latest technology and ready to make the most of opportunities offered by the Government’s green agenda. This award’s winner will be a regional firm with at least 50 employees and bold ambitions to become even bigger. It could be looking to capitalise on Siemens’ investment through opportunities on land or at sea, or working in a totally different field. As the region gears up for Green Port Hull, successful large and medium companies are vital for providing the infrastructure needed. Judges will be looking at past financial performance and recruitment in the past year.
the Community / 7 Engaging Community project
■ Category sponsor: Spencer Group 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 renewables industry project. Or this could be a renewables project driven by a local community or organisation. This could range from solar panels on a community hall or industrial space taken over with a renewable installation.
in Manufacturing 8 Women and Engineering
This award aims to recognise and celebrate professional women working in the energy sector who go above and beyond business-as-usual. This may be someone who has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership, have 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. Alternatively, the entry could be a project or team working to the improvement of the renewables sector.
Renewables 9 Humber Champion
■ Category sponsor: Siemens The winner of this award will have a passionate focus on promoting the renewables industry. 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 nominations will be accepted. Judges will pick a winner they feel is most deserving.
2018 Recognising local businesses, committed to the development of renewable and green energy in the Humber.
Entries now open /renewables Enter your business online today www.hulldailymail in one of the following categories... • Humber Renewables Champion • Renewables Education • Renewables Innovation • Community Project • Women in Manufacturing & Engineering • Excellence in Renewable Skills and Training Closing date for entries Friday 6 April 2018 | Awards evening Headline sponsor
• Humber Renewables Small Business of the Year (under 50 employees) • Humber Renewables Medium/Large Business of the Year (over 50 employees) • Best Renewable Energy Project or Installation in the Humber area
Friday 11th May 2018 at The Hallmark Hotel, Hull. In association with
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Renewables Awards
IN THE GREEN SPOTLIGHT ... GUESTS AND WINNERS AT LAST YEAR’S GLITTERING AWARDS
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