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Young Professionals Green Energy Awards shortlist announced


39 make finals of Young Professionals Green Energy Awards

Winners will be announced at black-tie event on May 30 in Glasgow

Almost 40 finalists of the 2019 Young Professionals Green Energy Awards are announced today (April 23).

More than 100 nominees who’ve worked in Scotland’s renewable energy industry for five years or less were narrowed down to a 39-strong shortlist.

That shortlist includes:

  • Michael Forbes, Refurbishment Centre Manager at Renewable Parts, who has helped the centre become a leader of innovation within the wind industry, influencing a shift in culture towards a circular economy.
  • Shane Hand, Naval Architect at Ferguson Marine Engineering, who is leading the charge towards zero-emission marine propulsion with his work on HySeas III, the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell ferry powered entirely by fuel harvested from renewable sources.
  • Catrin Sutherland, Commercial Development Officer at the European Marine Energy Centre, who has played a key role in the development of new marine energy test facilities around the world and led business planning for the PacWave site in Oregon, a $50M initiative supported by the US government.

The above finalists are just a few of the rising stars in renewables who’ve been shortlisted in nine different categories. The full list of finalists is available here.

The event, which will welcome around 250 guests to Glasgow Grand Central Hotel on Thursday May 30, was launched in 2015 to showcase the range of bright and innovative talent in the sector.

Claire Mack, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, said: “Once again I’m hugely impressed with the standard of nominations submitted for the awards. 2019’s nominees really do showcase the skill and innovation which exists among the young professionals within our sector.

“Those shortlisted should be extremely proud of their achievements, and we hope that being a finalist in the Young Professionals Green Energy Awards will encourage them to further grow and develop in their careers and continue to shape the future of renewable energy.”

The full list of categories this year is:

  • Academic Award, sponsored by Energy Technology Partnership
  • Achiever Award
  • Analyst Award
  • Apprentice Award, sponsored by the Centre for Work-based Learning in Scotland
  • Engineer Award, sponsored by ESB
  • Innovator Award
  • Professional Service Award, sponsored by WSP
  • Project Development Award
  • Judges Award, sponsored by ScottishPower Renewables

The 2019 Young Professionals Green Energy Awards are headline-sponsored by ScottishPower Renewables.

Lindsay McQuade, CEO of ScottishPower Renewables, said: “Supporting young talent in renewables is crucial to helping the industry thrive in the future.

“That’s why the awards are a very important occasion to celebrate the work of nominees, give them a platform to learn and build networks with other like-minded individuals.

“We’ve been really impressed with the candidates and wish them all luck on the night.”

WSP, sponsor of the Professional Service Award, is offering a unique opportunity to the winner of each category, who will have the option to take part in a development day led by a senior member of the company’s global insights team.

Winners of the Young Professional Green Energy Awards will also be put forward for the Young and Inspiring Award at the Scottish Green Energy Awards this December.

The awards event will be hosted by STV presenter Sean Batty.