Just Transition
The people behind the growth of clean energy on the Humber
Generations of families in North Yorkshire have grown up with the culture and expertise of offshore drilling, coal mining, and fishing in their blood.
In 2016, Siemens Gamesa opened a wind turbine factory on Hull’s former coal dock, signalling a new chapter after years of decline.
When Siemens Gamesa opened a huge wind turbine factory on the old coal dock in Hull in 2016, it heralded a change in fortune for a region that had seen a terminal decline of these extractive industries that had provided for its people since the growth of the fishing and whaling industries industry in the 17th Century.
The renewables industry now employs over 31,000 people locally.
This documentary photography project was commissioned by the International Institute for Sustainable Development, focusing on people who are part of this transition.
Many of them have expertise in offshore oil & gas and fishing which is valuable to the offshore wind industry.
Audio Visual Photostory
Photostory
Make yourself a brew and take five minutes for this!
The last oil from North West Hutton oilfield in the Shetlands. Local geologist, Gerry Bond, has translated his deep expertise in Oil and Gas, into the renewables sector now flourishing on his doorstep.
Salt End Chemicasl Park and Refinery on the Humber Estuary to the east of Hull
Wilmington Swing Bridge in the former industrial heart of Hull
Rusting machinery at the derelict fish processing plant at the fish docks in Grimsby
The Grimsby Fish Dock Tower, designed in the style of the famous Palazzo Pubblico in Siena, was built to provide high-pressure water to operate dock machinery. The fishing docks now host renewable energy maintenance vessels.
In its heyday, Grimsby fish dock was so full of fishing boats you could walk from one side to the other on their decks. Now, most of the vessels here are maintenance and construction craft for offshore wind farms
Two local girls play on the banks of the Humber with the turbine towers of Siemens Gamesa's factory on the former coal dock reflecting the late afternoon sunshine looming in the background
A wind farm in the North Sea
From a family of Danish fishermen and shipbuilders, Kurt Christenen has the sea and wind in his blood. Having made a name and life for himself in the Grimsby fishing industry he changed tack in 2008, successfully repurposing his fishing vessels into Wind Power Support.
The navigation screen of a wind farm maintenance boat shows the Humber Gateway wind farm
Wind turbine towers at Siemens Gamesa's plant loom over a housing estate as a resident walks his dogs
Salt End Chemicasl Park and Refinery on the River Humber