You’re going to have to wait a little longer for Humber Renewables Awards 2020.

The coronavirus outbreak has forced the postponement of the June bash, with a new date of October 2 now confirmed.

And it means companies vying for the eight awards welcoming entries have even longer to hone their nominations – with the deadline now kicked back from May 10 to Monday, August 31.

DoubleTree by Hilton Forest Pines Spa & Golf Resort remains the venue, with all sponsors – led by Siemens Gamesa – on board for what promises to be an even more eagerly awaited event.

Launched in the week that saw the Humber’s green hydrogen ambition brought to the fore and sandwiched between Orsted’s two huge projects being built out of the Energy Estuary, key workers continue to accelerate the Energy Estuary’s credentials even in the grip of Covid-19.

Leading the world when it comes to offshore wind, the Humber has seen critical mass help create the hotbed for a centre of excellence in the past 12 months, as scale brings further opportunity, but this patch isn’t purely one focus.

Small scale solar, micro-generation and anaerobic digestion have all been recognised by the Humber Renewables Awards before, and we’re looking for the best endeavours of the past 12 months to highlight once more, in what will be the cleanest year yet for energy generating, culminating with the UK hosting the United Nations’ Climate Change Conference in November.

Andy Sykes, plant director at Siemens Gamesa’s Hull blade plant, said: “We are proud to once again sponsor the Humber Renewables Awards. This region has invested significantly in renewable energy and this has transformed the economy.

“This year is set to be the greenest yet for UK energy with record breaking levels of wind generation and onshore wind farms being built without the support of UK government subsidies.

“At Siemens Gamesa, we have been working to counteract climate change for many years and earlier this year we surpassed 100 GW of installed wind energy capacity which is enough clean energy to power nearly 83 million European households. This is an important milestone for us which has helped to keep communities going and create thousands of green jobs.”

a dedicated website – www.humberrenewables.com – is handling all entries, with judging now to take place in September.

Humber Renewables Awards 2020 joins a huge list of spring casualties, from Humber Business Week to the Lincolnshire Show, international property event MIPIM to Offshore Wind Connections at Hessle, also put back from May to September.

Reach – the owner of BusinessLive – is “with a heavy heart” postponing its entire calendar until later in the year.

The company’s events team has been in touch with all stakeholders.

Reach chief executive Jim Mullen said: “The wellbeing and safety of our guests is of paramount importance and therefore we have decided to postpone our events until later in the year. We will continue to monitor government guidance.”

Group commercial events manager Kate Evans added: “We will continue to monitor the situation on a daily basis and, should our policy change, we will issue communications as soon as possible to inform our customers and delegates.”

For any enquiries relating to Humber Renewables Awards 2020, email jane.smallwood@reachplc.com

Awards categories, sponsors and criteria

Small Business of the Year sponsored by Orsted

Open to firms with up to 50 staff, this 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. Enter here.

Best Renewable Energy Project or Installation

This prize is for the designers, manufacturers or recipients of 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. 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 also welcome to apply. Enter here.

Excellence in Renewable Skills and Training sponsored by EDS HV

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 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. Enter here.

Renewables Education sponsored by MHI Vestas Offshore Wind

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. Enter here.

Green Innovation sponsored by Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult

Green energy’s ability to compete with fossil fuels has been brought about by bringing down 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. It 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. Companies that 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. Enter here.

Humber Renewables Medium/ Large Business of the Year

Running a major company is tough in any field but an emerging sector like renewable energy is even harder than most.

Businesses 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 investment through opportunities on land or at sea, or working in a totally different field.

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. Enter here.

Engaging the Community / Community Project sponsored by RWE

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. Enter here.

Woman in Manufacturing and Engineering sponsored by Triton Knoll

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, 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. Enter here.

Humber Renewables Champion sponsored by Siemens Gamesa

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, nominations are not required. The panel will pick a winner they feel is most deserving.