The WindEnergy Hamburg expo will be an opportunity for decision-makers in the energy business from all over the world to meet, debate and share the best advancements in technology and processes. The expo covers the whole value chain of the onshore and offshore wind industry, and is expanding this year with an additional exhibition hall. More than 1,200 exhibitors are expected to present their innovations across nine exhibition halls, spanning 65,000m². The expo will be opened by its patron, Sigmar Gabriel, Germany’s minister of economics. This year, for the first time, the WindEurope Conference will be held in concurrently with WindEnergy Hamburg.
Bernd Aufderheide, president and CEO of Hamburg Messe und Congress, the company that runs the expo, says: “WindEnergy Hamburg gives the industry the ideal platform to prepare international business and close specific deals. A key aspect for the companies is showcasing their latest developments, products and services, and presenting new business models. This is also a chance to gain useful leads in new areas of industry, and to set the course for further development of the wind industry itself.”
WindEnergy is entirely dedicated to the wind industry, and reflects the tremendous innovative power and dynamism of this sector in current and future key markets. “This is the showcase for hundreds of companies that are fully engaged in finding solutions for the great challenges of our times – combatting climate change, reducing carbon emissions and transforming our energy markets in an economically viable way,” says Aufderheide.
An international presence
Major global manufacturers in the industry, such as Enercon, Gamesa, GE, Nordex, Senvion, Siemens Wind Power, Vestas, are keen to present their products and services for the wind market to the international trade audience in Hamburg. Manufacturing company Envision, a first-time exhibitor at the expo, comes from Asia, and currently works predominantly in the Chinese market. However, the expo is a chance for the company to extend its reach. A number of countries will also have their own national pavilions, including Denmark, Turkey, China, Argentina, the US and Canada.
The whole value chain at one fair
Another strength of WindEnergy Hamburg is that all the components of the value chain are exhibited. The list of exhibitors includes leading international turbine manufacturers, equipment suppliers, service providers, project developers, energy companies and specialist companies from all areas of the wind industry. Trade visitors will find key thematic areas, such as drive systems, electronic components, safety, finance and insurance at the fair.
There will be many exhibitors in the Smart Energy area, giving presentations on subjects such as distribution, storage, control of power production and load control. Numerous innovative exhibits – from special-purpose bolts to multi-ton gearbox systems – will show the range of the value chain and give visitors an up-close look at wind energy.
Products for onshore and offshore
Like generating power onshore, the use of energy generated at sea sets special challenges for the industry. Exhibitors that focus on offshore wind turbines; planning, installing and operating offshore wind farms; and providing necessary logistical services will be grouped in three exhibition halls. Players such as Adwen and MHI Vestas Offshore Wind will present in Hamburg, as will specialists from certain countries, such as the Belgian Offshore Cluster.
About 100 exhibitors from the maritime industry will peddle their wares at two top industry shows, hosted by Hamburg Messe und Congress; SMM, the leading international maritime industry fair (6–9 September); and WindEnergy Hamburg. “Many companies in the maritime industry are taking this opportunity to attract new clients, thus promising future business in the wind industry,” says Aufderheide. “We provide two outstanding platforms for that.”
An attractive supporting programme for the fair gives international trade visitors scope for in-depth networking. The city of Hamburg, which has established itself as the European wind capital, is the ideal setting for the world’s largest industry event. All other details about the fair and information for registration can be found on the official website.
Conference of WindEurope
The Conference of WindEurope will be held concurrently with WindEnergy Hamburg for the first time, at the Congress Center Hamburg, which is located right next to the Hamburg Fair site. These two most important international wind energy events make Hamburg the global centre of the wind industry. Political, technical and scientific discussions will be held at an international level, and be attended by leading representatives of the global wind industry.