Offshore Wind Connections 2016 (OWC2016) has landed Associated British Ports (ABP) as principal sponsor as it prepares to put the Humber’s new offshore wind projects under the spotlight at The Spa Bridlington on 12 May.
“ABP is delighted to support Offshore Wind Connections 2016; the event is a fantastic way of bringing together those businesses who are working to confirm the Humber’s place as the UK’s Energy Estuary and those from further afield who are interested in this developing sector,” Gareth Russell, ABP commercial manager and industry team lead for offshore wind, said.
“Projects such as the Siemens development on Alexandra Dock in Hull, and the offshore wind operations and maintenance activities taking place out of the Port of Grimsby, mean ABP is at the forefront of the renewables industry on the Humber, and partnering with the organisers of OWC16 gives us the opportunity to showcase our offer to a global audience.”
Mark O’Reilly, CEO and chairman of Team Humber Marine Alliance (THMA), the organiser of the event, said OWC16 would reveal the supply chain opportunities offshore while bringing people up to speed on the latest developments in the industry, as well as looking at the need to create a skilled workforce to serve the sector.
“It will be very informative and also a celebration of how the renewables industry is transforming the Humber economy,” O’Reilly said.
“It is this kind of clout that has attracted such a leading maritime business as ABP to strongly support the event.”
THMA has also announced East Riding of Yorkshire Council as platinum sponsor and GEV Wind Power and Mapa PR of Hull as gold sponsors. Silver sponsorships have been agreed with Teesside-based Deep Ocean Group and Humber-based businesses Mullion Marine Safety Supplies and Myton Law.
O’Reilly said the conference would not only be about the big projects that tend to receive all the headlines, but also about how the region can service them with a skilled workforce.
“We are at the start of a generational shift in the supply of a large, varied pool of skilled labour for a new industry, and, as a result, all eyes are increasingly on training and on existing and new training facilities, such as the proposed new National College for Wind Energy,” O’Reilly said.
OWC2016 will have input from local colleges and industry specific training providers, including North Lindsey College, Grimsby Institute, Hull College, East Riding College, Modal Training, the Humber UTC and Hull Trinity House Academy.