A mixed methodology (quantitative and qualitative), using socio-economic-environmental baseline indicators, together with a detailed Green Port Hull (GPH) strand analysis, to develop a mechanism for assessing the impact of GPH on the region.
In January 2016, the Logistics Institute at the University of Hull was awarded a contract by Green Port Hull (GPH) to provide an economic, social and environmental impact assessment of the Siemens Gamesa and ABP investment with a view to investigating and advising on how to best sustain the growth of the renewables sector in the region. A side objective of the project was to review GPH’s processes and achievements, the fundamental intention being to identify and improve the areas of weaknesses so that the original GPH objectives are not only met but surpassed, thereby creating the right business environment for Hull and the East Riding to become the go-to-place and a world leader for renewable energy.
The main stakeholders of the Green Port Hull Impact Assessment (GIA) are:
- Green Port Hull (main client) consisting of members of Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council
- Siemens Gamesa and ABP
Working closely with GPH and Siemens’ Suitability Director, a cross-disciplinary team was formed within the Logistics Institute, comprising of pre and post-doctoral researchers and professors in the fields of economics, geography, engineering and logistics, together with software development specialists responsible for the development and maintenance of the GIA website.
Discussion, feedback and recommendations are shared between project stakeholders on an ongoing basis in the monthly steering committee and quarterly advisory board.
While feedback and discussions are ongoing throughout the project, the expected outcome will, among other things, include the provision of a series of recommendations from the GIA research team at the Logistics Institute to help inform the decisions that GPH takes going forward, this will be especially important as GPH approaches the end of its funding.