UK: Humber’s Renewables Businesses ‘Must Invest in Skills’ to Compete Against Overseas Rivals

BUSINESSES across the Humber are being warned they face losing out to international competition in the renewables industry by not investing in the right skills.

Professor David Grant, director of the Logistics Institute at Hull University Business School, said not as many companies “as we would hope” are ready to make the most of the region’s expanding green economy.

But he said the Humber is in a “unique position” and local businesses can take advantage of renewables with the right preparation and by improving skills.

Professor Grant will outline the scope of the region’s renewable energy supply chain at Renewing The Humber, a flagship green energy conference being staged on May 1 in Hull.

The Humber is emerging as a hub for renewable energy and stands to benefit from an estimated £15 billion of investment in offshore wind power alone.

Locations such as Hull are set to be the potential home of large-scale turbine manufacturing by the likes of Siemens, with the technology destined for giant wind farms in the North Sea.

 Professor Grant said: “We all know that renewable energy is set to become a major economic driver for Yorkshire and the Humber.

 “In addition to the much publicised wind farms and investment from Siemens, the region is gearing up to become an international centre for biomass storage, solar energy capture and tidal power from the estuary.

 “But how many of our region’s businesses are ready to make the most of the massive opportunities as they arise?

 “In all honesty, not as many as we would hope are poised ready to take a slice of the business, and could face the real situation of losing out to international firms who have the necessary experience.”

Last month, the Logistics Institute announced it is leading a new research project to help businesses in the Humber region get involved in offshore wind work.

And Professor Grant said the region does have great potential, particularly in this area of renewables.

He said: “The Humber has a unique prospect to become a major player in the sector. All we need to do as a region is to identify who is best placed to take advantage of this opportunity and work towards developing skills for long term success.

 Professor Grant added: “We have identified that the region has the capability to become a real challenger to those already established in the industry.

 “However, our businesses need to invest in developing the necessary skills to be profitably involved in the renewable sector supply chain – from supplying machinery and parts for the offshore wind farm and biomass sectors to providing maintenance and service for all the renewable sectors.

 ‘At the Logistics Institute, we realise that the region has great potential and are doing what we can to assist this growth. For example, we are working with local schools and colleges to impress that logistics and the renewables sector has real career potential.

“Through this work we are raising awareness of the industry and encouraging students at all levels to study the appropriate programmes for future employment in the sector.”

To help the region’s businesses both find their position and secure work in the green energy supply chain, delegates at Renewing The Humber will be given industry intelligence and advice on topics ranging from finance and doing business overseas to cutting costs and planning regulations.

This is the third time Renewing The Humber has been staged.

It follows two highly successful events held last year, attracting more than 500 business, community and industry leaders and featuring speakers from a number of companies and private sector organisations working in the renewables arena.

The conference is organised by the Renewables Network in conjunction with other event partners.

The May 1 conference in Hull, sponsored by KMS Facilities Group, will again include an opportunity for businesses to take one of the exhibition stands in the expo hall.

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Offshore WIND staff, April 18, 2012