Major Energy Firms Join Humber Energy Board to Accelerate Investment and Growth

Several prominent energy companies have become members of the Humber Energy Board (HEB), reinforcing its appeal to the Government for unlocking substantial investment opportunities. Shell UK, Siemens Energy, Exolum, National Gas, and the Northern Endurance Partnership have all joined as Secondary Members, while industry training provider CATCH has joined as an Associate Member.

The inclusion of these organisations brings the total HEB membership to 16, enhancing its capacity to advocate for the Humber region as a key driver of investment, economic expansion, and the UK’s transition to cleaner energy sources.

The new members contribute expertise spanning power generation, energy networks, hydrogen development, carbon capture, and industrial skills training. Iain Harris, Interim Managing Director of HEB, emphasised the importance of this expansion, stating: “We’re delighted to welcome our new members to the Humber Energy Board, in what is a vital year for the UK’s largest industrial cluster.” He added, “Our enlarged membership will both diversify and amplify our message to Government that 2026 must be the year to back our region as an industrial powerhouse that can drive transformational growth for UK Plc.”

Harris further highlighted the Board’s commitment to collaboration: “We will continue working with our members, policy-makers and decision‑makers to turn ambition into delivery – unlocking major investment, creating tens of thousands of jobs and building a thriving, prosperous Humber.”

The timing of these new memberships coincides with a critical phase for the Humber’s energy sector. Earlier this year, HEB sent a letter to Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, co-signed by 30 leading businesses and organisations, urging the Government to “Re-energise the Humber” in 2026. The letter outlined how supportive policy decisions could transition major energy projects into delivery stages, generate tens of thousands of skilled jobs, and secure the region’s essential role in UK energy security and supply.

Collectively, the six new members employ over 13,000 people across the UK in roles vital to the nation’s energy infrastructure. Shell UK is engaged in various energy activities, including developing carbon capture and storage technologies. It holds offshore CO2 storage appraisal licences in the Southern North Sea, which could accommodate CO2 emissions from Humber-based emitters.

Siemens Energy employs more than 7,000 staff in the UK, including 1,400 at its Siemens Gamesa wind blade factory in Hull. The company has also partnered with SSE to deliver Keadby 2, one of the world’s most powerful and efficient power stations, located in the Humber region.

Exolum, Europe’s leading liquid products logistics company, has pioneered the integration of hydrogen into existing liquid fuel infrastructure at its Humber facilities. It also launched the UK’s first commercially-ready biomethanol storage and supply service for shipping at the Port of Immingham.

National Gas is advancing the development of Britain’s regional and national hydrogen transport systems to support low-carbon power generation, industrial decarbonisation, and economic growth. Its landmark Humber Hydrogen project aims to establish the UK’s first regional hydrogen network.

The Northern Endurance Partnership (NEP) is constructing CO2 transport and storage infrastructure designed to reduce emissions in the UK’s most carbon-intensive industrial area while safeguarding thousands of local jobs.

As an Associate Member, CATCH specialises in skills development, apprenticeships, and competency training. The organisation is expanding its operations to meet industry demand, targeting the training of 1,000 new entrants annually by 2029.