Humber's 'game-changing' offshore wind industry needs 10,000 more skilled workers

He will share plans for the company’s Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm which is expected to be almost double the size of Hornsea 2, currently the world’s largest.

A conference spokesperson said: “With the agenda focused on the UK target of 50GW of offshore wind by 2030, OWC 2023 will look at the opportunity for the Humber and the major contribution it can make.

“RenewableUK will speak about the ambition to achieve the goal, while closer to home, the advancement of the Humber Offshore Wind Cluster will be discussed.

“The opportunity for the supply chain will be the subject of a panel discussion, members of which include Danielle Lane, director of offshore development UK and Ireland, RWE; Andrew Elmes, head of business development UK and Ireland, Siemens Gamesa; and Len Taylor, sector specialist at the Department for Business and Trade.

"Offshore Wind Connections 2023 will combine networking, speakers, workshops and an exhibition at the Double Tree by Hilton. It attracts delegates from the Humber region, the UK and overseas and has built a reputation as an essential fixture on the offshore wind sector calendar.”

But the event will also highlight the need to find an extra 10,000 skilled workers in the region.

‘People Power’ afternoon panel session will be led by Jane Cooper, director of offshore wind at RenewableUK, and will include Sarah Rodgers, HR business partner at Siemens Gamesa and Zoe Keeton, head of stakeholder and local markets UK and Ireland at RWE, along with experts from education and training.

Colleges and academic institutions will attend with the aim of inspiring a generation of young people to choose careers in the vibrant sector.

Simon Bird, Associated British Ports’ regional director for the Humber, will speak on behalf of Humber Freeport which was conditionally approved by the Treasury in late March. The Freeport status, which is the culmination of more than two years’ work, is expected to be a catalyst for economic growth, paving the way for new jobs and investment in the region.

The need for further innovation, the environment and infrastructure will also be discussed.

Andrew Oliver, chair of Humber Marine & Renewables, said: “We have a solid line-up of speakers and panel sessions which look at the opportunities and challenges that must be met if we are to maintain a pole position.

“It’s incredible to think how far the Humber has come in the space of a decade, and while OWC will celebrate this anniversary, the focus will be on what needs to happen over the next ten years.”

Camilla Carlbom Flinn, a director of Humber Marine & Renewables and director of Carlbom Shipping, said that the level of support for OWC 2023 demonstrated how important the conference had become since it started in 2013.

“From small beginnings when the sector was in its infancy, it is now regarded as an essential annual gathering to get up-to-the-minute information, identify current opportunities and collaborate to ensure that the Humber stays front and centre as a global leader.”