UK: Winners of Humber Renewables Awards 2012

March 13, 2012

EVER since Siemens announced its intention to build a £230 million wind turbine factory in Hull in December 2010, the region has been waking up to the wealth of opportunities that the renewables industry will offer.

But renewables is about so much more than wind power alone, and many companies have already started devising new products, launching new services and entering new markets to capitalise on opportunities in “green” areas ranging from solar and tidal power to recycling and biomass.

The innovations of such companies is arguably just as vital to the region’s renewables industry as a multi-million pound turbine facility, but their efforts have largely gone under the radar – until now.

This month, the businesses helping to cement our region’s position as a global leader in renewable developments were recognised at the Humber Renewables Awards 2012.

The awards, which are the first of their kind in the region and whose headline sponsor was KC Business, shone the spotlight on the innovative companies breaking new ground in this swiftly growing sector.

Andrew Morton, account director at Footprint Renewables, organiser of the awards, said: “Obviously, we are all aware of the promise of the jewel in the Humber’s renewables crown – offshore wind energy.

“It’s an industry that could be worth £15 billion in terms of investment to the area over the next few years.

“But our renewables revolution goes much further than this one area.

“Just look at Spencer Group’s Energy Works development and the Vivergo Fuels site on the banks of the Humber.

“Also, consider the work going on in the river itself on tidal power, or think about how some smaller, traditional businesses are adding to their services by offering green energy solutions, from solar panels to biomass.”

Explaining the reason behind the awards, he said: “It doesn’t matter if you’re an offshore wind business competing in a massive, global marketplace, or a solar company looking to secure more work in the local area, we all need to highlight why our organisations – and our region – are best.”

More than 150 guests gathered at The Deep for the ceremony, which was run by Footprint Renewables in association with Mail News & Media.

The setting enabled guests to enjoy a three-course dinner surrounded by tanks teeming with marine life – itself a reminder of the region’s link with successful innovative projects.

Then the finalists took to their seats to discover who had been named the winner of each of the eight categories.

GWE Biogas in Kirkburn, near Driffield, was first on the stage after scooping the award for the Best Renewables Product In The Humber.

The indepedent panel of award judges said: “GWE Biogas epitomises what renewables energy is about in terms of taking a waste product and through its processes producing multi-use products.

“It was also a stunning build that goes against the boring misconception surrounding some elements of renewable energy.”

This was followed by the Excellence In Renewables Training Or Education Award, which was won by HETA.

The judges said: “It has been said many times that to fully utilise the renewables opportunity on offer, the training and inspiring of our local work force is crucial.

“HETA has won this award because it achieves this day in day out and continually strives to evolve its facilities to offer the best possible training and development.”

Next up was Alpha Energy, which was named Best Renewables Start-up.

Judges praised the way the directors of the company, which specialises in the provision of offshore and onshore wind turbine engineering personnel, have demonstrated “an entrepreneurial spirit in identifying where they fit into the chain and launching into it”.

Pulse Tidal’s experimental project has been producing power from Humber waters since 2009.

The judges said the company, which was handed the Renewables Innovation Award, had “true belief in the renewable energy cause”, coupled with the confidence to push forward with its innovative technologies.

The Engaging The Community Award was presented to Hull College after judges said how the organisation had “on many levels inspired the community to understand the potential in renewables, and get involved”.

Meanwhile, HOTA’s success in “evolving its offering to the emerging renewables sector with fantastic results” led judges to name it the winner of The Small Renewables Business Of The Year Award.

Transwaste, which provides skip hire, waste recycling and waste management services, was praised for demonstrating the “diversity of operations now involved in renewables”.

Judges said it was clear the business was making “a critical impact on the future of this region”, resulting in it receiving the Large Renewables Business Of The Year Award.

The final award of the evening was handed to Sam Pick, of Renewables Network, who was named Humber Renewables Champion.

The judges described Sam as “someone whose renewable voice shouted loudest for our region, describing him as someone who had “raised the profile of our offering across the UK and abroad”.

Winners and runners-up at the Humber Renewables Awards 2012:

Best Renewables Product In The Humber Area, sponsored by The Insurance Partnership

Winner: GWE Biogas

Runners-up: EYMS, Yorkshire Heat Logs

Excellence In Renewables Training Or Education, sponsored by Arco

Winner: HETA

Runners-up: Hornsea School, HOTA, Hull College

Best Renewables Start-up, sponsored by The Cobus Communications Group

Winner: Alpha Energy

Runners-up: Yorkshire Heat Logs, Blue Water Danbrit UK

Renewables Innovation, sponsored by BCG Bridgepoint

Winner: Pulse Tidal