Germany: Prince Joachim of Denmark and Minister Altmaier to Visit HUSUM WindEnergy

This year HUSUM WindEnergy is expecting high-ranking visitors: Germany’s environment minister Peter Altmaier and H.R.H. Prince Joachim of Denmark will be visiting the world’s biggest wind trade fair. His Royal Highness Prince Joachim’s attendance on 19 September 2012 emphasises Husum’s long association with neighbouring Denmark, which from the very first has been a partner of what is now the industry’s biggest trade fair.

The attendance of the federal environment minister at the opening ceremony accentuates the relevance of wind power for the German electricity market. The number of international delegations also highlights the international importance of HUSUM WindEnergy: delegations that have announced their visits range from Argentina and Brazil to China. In addition to guided tours of the exhibition, the visitors from all five continents will also be able to enjoy a variety of peripheral events at HUSUM WindEnergy. From the opening ceremony on the first day through to the exclusive Windmasters Dinner at the Schloss vor Husum – the fair offers its domestic and foreign attendees a successful mix of events all centred on the topic of wind power.

The visit of the son of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark emphasises the historical connection of the North Frisian port Husum with its Nordic neighbour. Over two decades ago, Danish enterprises were the motivating force that provided the inspiration for the growth of wind power in northern Germany and also for the start of HUSUM WindEnergy. His Royal Highness is pleased about this energetic connection: “As a resident of the German-Danish border country I have followed the rapid development of wind power as a source of power here and elsewhere. The many windmills are making an increasing contribution to electricity production in Denmark and Germany. The interest in wind and the desire to promote this development is one of the many things that connect both our countries. I am therefore looking forward to visiting HUSUM WindEnergy 2012 so that I will be able to get some fresh impressions of the latest technical developments in this area”. The visit of German environment minister Peter Altmaier also emphasises both the great importance that wind has in the renewable energy mix, and also its importance as a sector of the economy and as an innovation powerhouse in the business base that is Germany. German environment minister Altmaier will be a speaker at the opening ceremony on 18 September.

 Guests from all wind directions

Husum mayor Uwe Schmitz is looking forward to the high-ranking visitors: “Husum is honoured and proud to be the world’s wind energy capital for these five days. We look forward to the numerous international guests, whose visit is proof that the concept of HUSUM WindEnergy and the authenticity of Husum and the surrounding region are good and credible with regard to renewable energy. We are not just connected with our neighbour Denmark historically, but also through the fact that we make up a common economic area.” This year the fair is expecting over a hundred guests from delegations from France to as far away as Japan and Brazil. In addition to visiting the exhibition and congress, the various peripheral events will give domestic and foreign guests the opportunity to establish new contacts and cultivate existing ones. The events parallel to the exhibition kick off the day before the fair with the 1st HUSUM WindEnergy Golf Trophy, with the first tee-off from the fairground on 17 September. In addition to the festive opening ceremony on 18 September, the organisers will be welcoming attendees to other events, such as the traditional Town Hall Reception, the exclusive Windmasters Dinner in the Schloss vor Husum, the presentation of the Windalliance Technology Award, the 11th Windcommunity Treffen and the legendary Windwanderer Festival.

[mappress]

Press release, September 10, 2012