Noppen Hosts 2nd Offshore Wind Power Technology and Investment Congress 2011 (China)

In the next five years, China’s investment in offshore wind is expected to exceed 25 billion RMB. This figure is set to increase along the years with the installed capacity of offshore wind will reach 10 million KWs in 2015 and 30 million KWs in 2020.

Noppen hosted the 2nd Offshore Wind Power Technology and Investment Congress in Yancheng, recognized as the “National Offshore Wind Power Hi-tech Industrial Base”. Around 120 attendees were present, including Senior Government Officials, Senior Executives and Technicians from China’s leading wind turbine manufacturers and power groups. They all shared the same purpose of wanting to come together to discuss China’s newest industrial policies, advanced technology solutions for wind turbine manufacturing and the most up-to-date progress reports on major offshore wind projects across China. “Very good platform for learning as well as networking.” Wang Jing

The congress was opened with a welcoming speech from Vice Mayor of Yancheng, CAO Youhu. He gave the delegates a general introduction of Yancheng and the future plans of Yancheng’s economic development. He was followed by LIU Baohua, Market Regulation Director of SERC, his presentation was based upon the situation and development of wind power in China as well as the problem that wind power was facing. He went on to analyze the prospects of wind power and price policy. He stated that “System and the market mechanism is the core issue to solve the rapid development of wind power”. The delegates listened to him carefully and took on board all that he said because as a representative of the government his statements are undoubtedly authoritative.

Zheng Fangneng, Director of Energy Division, Chinese Ministry of Science and High Technology, Department of High and New Technology Development and Industrialization. His speech provided an introduction to the national energy development strategy; especially wind power development policy planning. The delegates appreciated listening to his expert opinions on energy in China.

Another great speaker on the morning of day one was Zhang Gang, General Manager of China Longyuan Power Group, Longyuan Jiangsu Offshore Wind Company. His speech was greatly anticipated by the delegates, he informed them about the working progress of Dafeng Project of Longyuan and in the second half of his speech he mentioned the main difficulty of the project along with some suggestions about the offshore wind power in China. “Professional organization, and a wide range of topics have been discussed.”

Dongfang Energy New Energy Equipment (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd.

Day two of the congress began with Mr. Tanay Sidki Uyar, Vice President of World Wind Energy Association and the President of European Wind Energy Association. He gave a very valuable presentation on the European offshore wind power development which included a forecasting of the European offshore wind energy market and provided a very a good reference to China’s wind power policy decision-making, planning and operation of the project development. The delegates enjoyed his speech immensely and appreciated gaining an in depth view into the European energy market.

After hearing about the European energy market, the delegates were educated in the planning and construction management procedures of offshore wind power in China by Yi Yuechun, Deputy Chief Engineer of HYDROCHINA. The first half of his presentation focused on the planning of offshore wind power in China and he then went on to talk about the construction administration procedure of offshore wind power in China including planning, preliminary work, construction, acceptance and operation that brought very useful information.

He closed his presentation with an introduction to the conditions and qualifications of offshore wind power concession project bids. He stated that it is important to, “keep boosting the development of offshore wind power with a form of concession.”

The congress came to a close with a presentation from Zhang Ping, Executive Director of China Renewable Energy Industry Association; he gave the delegates his specialist opinion on the situation of renewable energy from solar to offshore wind. He stated that offshore wind is the best solution to solve the problem of domestic energy.

The congress also provided a platform for new innovations to be introduced. ESAB brought along their welding and cutting technologies for offshore wind installations. Their technologies are widely used in workshops and Marcel Stemvers. Global Energy Business Leader of ESAB, also showcased the dedicated offshore wind tower solutions and assembly solutions they provided. The technology attracted great attention from the delegates.

Further introductions came from ERICO and Owens Corning. Franco D’Alessandro; Managing Director of ERICO presented how ERICO protects a wind turbine from lightning attachment. Eric Fang, Sales and Marketing Director of Owens Corning brought their high performance fiber glass application in wind energy market and stated they “provide significantly improved corrosion resistance and meet the material demand for the future”.

Other notable speakers at the event included, YU Guanghua, Deputy Director, Yancheng Development and Reform Commission, JIANG Qiangzhen, Chief Design Engineer, East China Investigation and Design Institute, Björn PRZYGODDA, Head of offshore, RWE Innogy, OUYANG Haili, R&D Director, CSIC(Chongqing) Haizhuang Wind Power Equipment, WEI Juliang, Deputy General Manager, China Power Investment Corporation Jiangsu Branch, YI Yuechun, Deputy Chief Engineer, China Water Resources and Hydropower Planning and Design, WEI Wei, Commercial Sales Manager, Siemens Ltd., China, ZHAO Xiangqian, General Manager, China Datang New Energy  Investment Company East Branch, WU Yundong, General Manager, Huayi Wind Energy Development CO. LTD, LIU Qi, Deputy General Manager and Shanghai Electric Windpower Equipment Co. Ltd. “Good organization, very convenient to participate”

ChengXi Shipyard

Noppen would like to express a special thanks to Yancheng Municipal People’s Government, all the outstanding speakers and to the sponsors of our event ESAB, ERICO, BASF, Owens Corning, Lloyd’s Register Industrial Technical Services (Shanghai) and LOC (Tianjin) Co. Ltd. There is no doubt that you contributed to the success of our 2nd Offshore Wind Power Technology and Investment Congress 2011.

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Offshore WIND staff, November 22, 2011; Image: noppen