WINDFORCE 2012 – More than 250 Exhibitors and 50 Speakers in 4 Days (Germany)

Exhibition Hall 5 at the Bremen Fair is almost fully booked. WINDFORCE 2012, Germany’s first trade fair for the offshore wind energy industry, will present more than 250 international exhibitors, including global businesses and young start-ups representing the entire value-added chain.

“To exceed the number of exhibitors we expected in our first year is of course a great success. It shows how much a platform like this was needed for the industry. We are looking forward to four informative days at the trade fair”, says Jens Eckhoff, managing director of the Offshore Wind Messe- und Veranstaltungs GmbH.

Eighth WAB offshore conference from 26 to 28 June 2012

The eighth WAB offshore conference will take place at the same time as the trade fair. During the three days of the conference, some 50 speakers will talk about topics such as grid connection, logistics, and pile-driving noise protection. Nine theme sessions will focus on current issues in the industry.

“The conference has developed into the meeting place for the offshore industry since 2005 and is a fixture on the calendars of many participants. We are very pleased about this and it spurs us on of course to put together an interesting programme each time”, says Ronny Meyer, managing director of the Wind Energy Agency WAB, the German network for the wind energy sector, now boasting 350 member businesses.

The conference’s official inauguration event will take place this year at a Senate Reception in Bremen Town Hall (Rathaus). Jens Böhrnsen, mayor of the City of Bremen, will welcome conference participants and trade fair exhibitors on 26 June, starting at 7 p.m., in the Rathaus’ historic upper festive hall. Mayor Böhrnsen will greet special guest Fergus Ewing, Scotland’s minister for energy, enterprise and tourism, who will sign the city’s Golden Book. Mr Ewing will be in Bremen with a delegation representing the Scottish offshore industry at the WINDFORCE trade fair.

The first day of the conference, 27 June, will begin with a panel discussion on “Grid connection for offshore wind energy: Where are we now, what is the right way ahead, what action should we take?” One member of the panel will be Dr Stefan Birkner, Lower Saxony’s minister for environment, energy and climate protection.

This will be followed by the first three theme sessions, covering offshore grid connections, insurance, and pile-driving noise protection. In the evening, the organisers will offer the highlight of the conference, the Maritime Wind Dinner, a popular event traditionally taking place at a special location – and this year is no different. Guests will enjoy a fine meal on 27 June at the ABC-Halbinsel terminal in Bremerhaven, surrounded by the enormous tripods stored here. Manufactured by WeserWind Offshore Construction Georgsmarienhütte at its plant in Bremerhaven, these three-legged giants are used as foundations for wind turbines at sea. The ABC-Halbinsel, an offshore terminal run by BLG Logistics Group, is also a production site for many businesses in the industry.

On 28 June, the second day of the conference, participants will be able in the morning to attend one of three theme sessions on offshore financing, offshore grid connections (second part), and offshore logistics, and in the afternoon, one of three theme sessions on offshore special ships, occupational health and safety, and offshore job qualification.

Trade fair open to the public on 29 June 2012

On Friday, 29 June, the WINDFORCE trade fair will open its doors to the interested public. Those who wish to find out more about the prospects of offshore wind energy can meet with players in the industry between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Tickets may be purchased directly at the conference on 29 June and cost EUR 15 per person (reduced tickets are EUR 10 per person).

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Offshore WIND staff, May 31, 2012; Image: wab