Humber Freeport CEO Simon Green has told an audience at a major offshore wind energy conference that global investors “are looking at the Humber” and “like what the region has to offer”.
Mr Green joined a panel of speakers at Offshore Wind Connections 2024, held at Hull’s DoubleTree by Hilton, to debate what needs to happen for the Humber to seize the huge opportunities presented in the net zero transition.
He said collaboration across multiple sectors was the key to unlocking major inward investment and explained how Humber Freeport has created an attractive proposition for development.
Humber Freeport was a Silver Sponsor of Offshore Wind Connections, joining leading businesses and organisations focused on the offshore wind energy sector.
Mr Green said: “There is no shortage of global investors looking at the Humber and what it has to offer as a centre of excellence for green energy and technology.
“The challenge is converting that interest into investment and development. We need our national industrial strategy and energy policy to overlap, to create the conditions for global businesses to invest in the region.
“Collaboration is the key to unlocking the opportunities in the net zero transition. Humber Freeport is one catalyst among many, and we all need to align to make sure the region is the place to invest for any business looking at green energy.”
Simon Green, CEO at Humber Freeport, speaking at Offshore Wind Connections 2024 in Hull.
Offshore Wind Connections brought together key players and supply chain companies to discuss topics including net zero, devolution, freeports, skills and general advancements in the offshore wind sector.
The conference and exhibition has grown in stature to become one of the leading and best-known UK offshore wind events, attracting hundreds of regional, national and international delegates.
Mr Green spoke alongside a panel comprising of Marcus Walker of Able UK, Andy Reay of Associated British Ports, Lucy Jackson from MMO (Marine Management Organisation) and Sheena McGuinness of RSM.
The panel discussed infrastructure in the Humber and how decarbonisation and green energy can drive economic growth and prosperity across the whole region.
Humber Freeport can play a critical role in developing infrastructure in the region, from creating the economic conditions that attract new development, to what Mr Green described as “soft infrastructure” – focused on skills, employment and innovation.
Earlier in the week, Humber Freeport joined more than a dozen businesses and organisations from the region at Innovation Zero, the UK’s largest net zero conference held at London’s Olympia.
The Humber’s presence at Innovation Zero underlined its significance in the net zero transition. As the UK’s largest carbon-emitting industrial cluster, no region has a greater opportunity – and challenge – than the Humber to drive clean economic growth.
- Read more about the Humber’s presence at Innovation Zero at humberfreeport.org/humber-freeport-joins-industry-leaders-to-share-regions-compelling-net-zero-story-with-global-audience/.
