Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG) has announced the winner of its 2023 ‘Art of Renewable Energy’ photography competition.
The winning image, taken by Tom Forbes, shows a swimmer entering the water at Aberdeen Beach against a backdrop of Aberdeen Wind Farm and offshore industry supply vessels.
The photograph, which won the top prize of £200, will feature as the January image for AREG’s 2023 calendar.
Forbes, who is a keen amateur photographer and works for an energy company in Aberdeen, explained how the winning photo came about.
“I finally joined a local camera club at the start of lockdown where one of my colleagues is also a member.
“In January last year, we headed down to the beach hoping to get some nice shots with surfers and there was a gentleman about to go into the water for a wild swim.
“From where I was standing, he lined up perfectly with the wooden groynes, so I framed him between these and the waves.
“It was only when I looked afterward that I noticed the wind farm and supply vessels in the background too. When the AREG competition came about, I thought the image signified everything the renewable energy industry represents in Aberdeen as well as our heritage in oil and gas.
“I didn’t expect to win so it was a nice surprise.”
Twelve runners-up, who will each receive a prize of £50, will also have their images featured in the calendar.