Offshore Wind Connections 2026 underlines the Humber’s importance on the world energy stage
Offshore Wind Connections 2026 underlined the continued appetite to deliver more on the Humber, with volatile times outlining the importance of the sector.
The annual conference attracted a strong crowd to Hull, with leading figures from GB Energy, The Crown Estate, Associated British Ports, Orsted and RWE heading an impressive cast of speakers.
OWC is the flagship event delivered by Humber Marine & Renewables, with Iconic Media Group – the company behind the Yorkshire Post, Insider and the Great Northern Conference – as event partner.
The two-day exhibition and conference saw more than 200 delegates gather for an evening reception and networking ahead of the main business day.
Opening the latter, Camilla Carlbom Flinn, vice chair of Humber Marine & Renewables referenced the fact it was the 13th annual event. “13th time lucky, as they say, and given everything that’s happened in the last 12 months, it does sometimes feel like we need all the luck we can get.
“Over the past year, the world has changed in ways few of us could have imagined. Global supply chains have been disrupted, and the impact on the energy sector has been enormous. Many of you in this room have been right on the front line of those challenges – adapting, rethinking, and finding new ways to keep projects moving and turbines turning.
“Despite the challenges, we are entering a significant period of growth – not just for the wider offshore wind sector but also for Humber Marine & Renewables. As an organisation, we are strengthening our leadership, expanding our board and our advisory network, and seeing real momentum across our membership. Engagement is rising, our reach is growing, and our platform is becoming increasingly influential.”
Looking beyond the organisation, formed following the merger of Team Humber Marine Alliance and Grimsby Renewables Partnership four years ago, Camilla said: “The Humber is firmly established as a globally leading hub for offshore wind – particularly in operations and maintenance. With a strong base of operational assets and a pipeline of newly consented developments, this region offers both scale and capability. It places us in a prime position to deliver on the next phase of the UK’s offshore wind ambitions.
“Our role at Humber Marine and Renewables is to ensure that opportunity translates into action. We are here to align, coordinate, and connect – so that our members have clear visibility of what’s coming, can respond with confidence, and scale sustainably. At the same time, we must remain focused on future-proofing the sector and addressing the challenges that will inevitably emerge.”
Fellow director Dave Laister hosted the event, and whereas last year he introduced a video message from Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, this time he turned to Wilberforce College student Jack Hall, to kickstart proceedings.
He was part of a Young Ambassador cohort – a pilot project from Humber Marine & Renewables – and produced a monologue piece to camera in the style of Mr Miliband’s 2025 address.
Camilla, director of Pentagon Marine, said: “We are investing in the future talent pipeline through our Young Ambassadors initiative. In its first phase, we’ve engaged with more than 24 secondary schools, colleges and higher education institutions across the region – reaching more than 13,000 students and generating more than 4,500 unique visits to our website.
“The focus is on raising awareness of career opportunities in the maritime and renewable sectors, encouraging students to explore them independently and better understand the breadth of opportunity emerging across the region.
“This has been a pilot initiative, with much more to come over the next year.”
Reflecting on the role of the conference to help build gridges with local, national and international delegates, Camilla added: “We do bridges rather well here, after all. Just look at the Humber Bridge – a reminder that we know how to connect communities, industries and ideas across even the trickiest stretches of water.
“That same spirit of connection defines this great Humber Estuary, and it’s at the heart of what OWC2026 is all about. Our region has a central role to play in keeping the nation’s lights on and driving the energy transition forward.
“It’s a significant challenge. But if any group of people can rise to it, it’s the people in this room.”
The Humber Renewables Awards closed the two-day event, with a gala dinner ahead of the presentation by Adam Lovell. Xceco managing director Bailey Bradley was crowned Leader of the Year to a standing ovation, while the inaugural Kurt Christensen Apprentice of the Year Award was presented to Alisha Doughty of RWE Renewables, by Kurt’s son Carsten, who told how much it would have meant to the offshore wind pioneer and former Humber Marine & Renewables director.
More conference coverage:
Offshore Wind industry making ‘real strides’ in public understanding despite ‘fragmented’ consensus
ABP looking ‘really hard’ at business case for further investment in Humber
Leading Humber renewables businesses recognised with awards
