All-Energy to Launch Offshore Maintenance – Where Offshore Wind Meets Oil and Gas (UK)

Europe is in pre-eminent position in the offshore wind sector, and the UK, with 487 turbines installed (1,534MW of capacity); a further 2 GW in construction; and 42.1GW tabled for future development, is at the top of that European league.

With the operation and maintenance business opportunities available throughout a typical 266-year wind farm cycle, All-Energy 2012 (Aberdeen, 23-24 May 2012), the UK’s largest renewable energy exhibition and conference, sees the launch of ‘Offshore Maintenance – where offshore wind meets oil and gas’ a special area within the exhibition that will be fully supported in the conference.

 “There are natural synergies between the offshore wind and oil and gas industries, and Aberdeen is the obvious place to highlight them,” explains Event Manager, Jamie Thompson. “This new feature will be an event within an event aimed at accelerating operation and maintenance opportunities, and will undoubtedly be where best practice can be exchanged, knowledge and experience can be shared, and cross-sector partnerships can be established, with exhibitors and visitors alike tapping into the expertise available at the show.”

He adds: “In his keynote address in the opening plenary session at All-Energy 2011, Sir Ian Wood, Chairman, Wood Group, really hit the nail on the head when he said ‘I am going to outline what I see as the potential for offshore wind to significantly benefit from the huge pool of UK oil and gas offshore expertise, and then talk about the role we could play in developing the UK’s offshore wind resources’. With Offshore Maintenance – where offshore wind meets oil and gas, we are identifying and showcasing those key business areas that will undoubtedly benefit from these opportunities.

 “For those with a traditional exhibiting spot in the ever-growing show, we are establishing new sector-specific ‘trails’ , including an offshore maintenance one, which will enable visitors to quickly track down where each and every exhibitor with expertise in this area can be found. ”

“In addition to its ever-expanding list of renewable energy exhibitions and conferences around the globe, Reed Exhibitions is also the organiser of such events as Oceanology International, Offshore Europe (like All-Energy, held at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre) and Intelligent Energy, and will take full advantage of its contacts globally to develop this new area of All-Energy.

The All-Energy website at www.all-energy.co.uk indicates the exhibitor profile for this new section of the exhibition under headings such as transport and infrastructure; control and monitoring; safety; testing equipment and spare parts; corrosion protection; and decommissioning – going into greater detail under each heading. The Call for Papers for the conference is now open with abstracts of up to 300 words invited on this, and many other topics – full information is available on the website.

Sector-specific trails an advantage of exhibitors and visitors alike

All-Energy 2012 also sees the introduction of more sector-specific trails around the show to help visitors pre-plan their route; and new feature areas on the show floor devoted to investment, smart energy (energy efficiency and energy management – relevant to organisations of all sizes), solar, and low carbon vehicles.

“Of course, the trails are just as important to exhibitors as visitors,” explains Jamie Thompson. “They will ensure that exhibitors can expect increased footfall on their stand from relevant buyers/visitors. We believe this is a win:win situation helping those on both sides of the ‘buying fence’.”

Space for the twelfth show in the annual series is selling fast, with over 50% already reserved by exhibitors from home and overseas.

All-Energy 2011, the eleventh in the annual series, attracted close on 8,000 attendees from over 50 countries; 580 exhibiting companies from 20 countries; and some 280 speakers in the conference. The exhibition, conference and Giant Networking Evening (the latter is being held on 23 May) are all free to attend for all with a business/professional interest in renewable and sustainable energy. All-Energy is actively supported by more than 30 government departments, development agencies, trade associations and professional bodies.

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Source: all-energy, September 30, 2011