Moray East (pictured) has been awarded Offshore Wind Project of the Year at the first ever Global Offshore Wind Awards in London last night.
Renewable UK said the judges were impressed by the innovative approach taken to the development of the site, including the borrowing of jacket technology from the oil industry.
Overall, 13 main awards were made last night across three categories showcasing key aspects of the industry, including people, skills and health and safety, innovation and excellence, and environmental, social and governance (ESG).
The Offshore Wind Health & Safety and Wellbeing award went to the team at Dogger Bank Offshore Wind Farm, as the judges said that the way they included health and safety as an integral part of project planning was the embodiment of best practice in the industry.
The partners behind the Celtic Sea Gwynt Glas project won the Offshore Wind Energy Skills project award after joining forces with Pembrokeshire College to launch Destination Renewables, a two-year course which provides a qualification for students aged 16-18 in low-carbon technologies.
The Future Leaders went to RWE Renewables’ senior stakeholder and supply chain manager Helen Thomas who established a supply chain forum for industry and Government in north Wales and the north west of England, The Offshore Energy Alliance.
The Offshore Wind Gamechanger award went to Siemens Gamesa for developing the world’s first recyclable turbine blade, made from a new type of resin which allows it to be fully recycled or recovered.
Siemens Gamesa was also named overall winner with The Judges Award for its global impact on sustainability by developing the recyclable blade.
Orsted’s vice president for offshore, head of environment, consenting & external Affairs, Benj Sykes, won the Outstanding Contribution award for his work in the offshore wind industry.
In a specially-filmed video, senior colleagues paid tribute to him as an inspirational leader and a committed advocate for the industry who has made the sector better and stronger.
RenewableUK’s chief executive Dan McGrail said: “We’ve inaugurated these awards to enable us to identify and celebrate specific achievements within our sector, and to inspire others as we accelerate towards a net zero future.
“The UK is a world leader in offshore wind and it’s right to celebrate what drives our industry forward – growth, innovation, the vibrancy and resilience of our supply chain, our incredible people and the quality of our provisions on health and safety.
“I’d like to congratulate not only our worthy winners but all our nominees – the judges had to make difficult decisions with strong candidates in each category, and I’m very grateful to them for devoting their time and expertise to this event.
“We’re toasting the success of everyone who works in our dynamic sector, and we’ll continue to build on these achievements in the years and decades to come, as a great deal of work still lies ahead.”