City hosts world’s largest exhibition for the wind industry
Hamburg well known as Germany’s second largest city, but for one week in September 2018 it turned into the wind capital of the world.
WindEnergy goes global
WindEnergy Hamburg, the world’s largest exhibition for the wind industry, took place in the city from 25 – 28 September 2018 at Hamburg Messe. The event was a truly global affair, attracting 35,000 visitors from more than 100 countries – a 45% increase in international visitors from the previous year. A total of 40 national delegations from the US, Pakistan and Europe, including the UK, attended, as well as energy ministers and other high-level representatives of many nations highlighting the significance of this knowledge-sharing event for the global wind markets.
Many of the 1,482 exhibitors from 40 different countries used the exhibition to announce product launches and business transactions. All key players of the entire value chain were present in the fully-booked exhibition halls, including 16 wind turbine manufacturers from Europe, the Americas, and Asia.
Partnering with the exhibition was the WindEurope Conference, the world’s largest onshore and offshore conference showcasing opinion, trends and discussions via 500 presentations from leading global experts.
The two events joined together for the first time in 2016 and this partnership continues to deliver a significant business boost for the city as Nele Aumann, Managing Head of Division Conventions at HCB, explains: “The collaboration between the WindEurope Conference and one of the leading international trade fairs in the area of wind energy is a huge benefit for Hamburg as a convention location. Linking up a trade fair and a thematically related conference is a powerful step, ensuring the eyes of the industry will be on Hamburg to an even greater extent. This successful collaboration demonstrates that strong economic clusters – as well as close cooperation with these clusters – contribute to attracting important, top-class industry events.”
Dynamic Markets, Cost Effectiveness, and Smart Energy were all issues topping the agenda at the WindEurope Conference with sessions including: “The next big thing? Saudi Arabia and Russia”, “Perspectives for wind in Africa”, “Offshore wind outside Europe: a look at the US, Taiwan and Japan” as well as “Financing wind in emerging countries”.
‘Experience the whole world of wind energy in 4 days at 1 venue’ was the tagline for this bi-annual event. What makes WindEnergy Hamburg so important?
Why wind matters
Climate change is hitting the headlines around the world and it’s clear that urgent action is required. Here’s where wind technology comes in. Slowly but surely our world is becoming cleaner and greener – and wind energy is one of the key factors behind this. The way we source our energy is transforming, driven by rapid developments in wind technology. This industry is constantly innovating and breaking new ground –WindEnergy Hamburg therefore plays an essential role in keeping professionals up to date on the fast evolving sector as Bernd Aufderheide, President and CEO of Hamburg Messe, explains: “WindEnergy Hamburg is the only global industry event of the wind energy sector. As the energy transition unfolds around the world, and more and more wind markets exhibit dynamic growth, the interest in sharing knowledge and ideas and staying informed is stronger than ever. The world’s leading wind industry expo offered the right opportunities at the right time – an innovative platform for sharing information, doing business and networking at the highest levels.”
Why Hamburg?
The WindEnergy event annually rotates between Hamburg and Husum, a German town located near the border with Denmark. WindEnergy Hamburg has an international focus, while HUSUM Wind is the meeting point for the German-speaking wind energy market.
WindEnergy Hamburg launched in 2014 and quickly became the world’s leading expo for the industry. It is organised jointly by Hamburg Messe und Congress and Messe Husum & Congress.
The event’s location, in the heart of Hamburg at Hamburg Messe, is no coincidence. Situated between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea and characterised by excellent wind conditions, the Hamburg Metropolitan Region is an ideal location for onshore and offshore wind turbines. Large international manufacturers such as Areva Wind, Gamesa, General Electric, Nordex, REpower Systems, Siemens and Vestas are located here. While the City of Hamburg has established itself primarily as a location for head offices and research departments, the North and Baltic Sea coasts have become home to various production sites.
Hamburg’s renewable energy cluster
The Cluster Initiative Energy Hamburg launched in 2011, attracting 150 member companies in its first year. As well as bringing together the diverse skills of the city’s enterprises and research institutions, the initiative promotes collaboration and exchange with other industries. The Cluster supported Hamburg Messe in attracting the expo and conference, facilitating site inspections and sourcing relevant sector stats.
Jan Rispens, Managing Director of Hamburg’s renewable energy cluster, explains why the city was the perfect fit: “Hamburg has over the last two decades developed into Europe’s leading wind energy centre. Wind turbine manufacturers have their global headquarters here, many project developers of onshore and offshore wind farms are located here and a thriving service sector for wind energy has emerged. Last not least there are many strong connections on industry level between Hamburg and the wider north German wind energy sector. Therefore WindEnergy Hamburg is perfectly positioned in both Germany’s and Europe’s wind energy hot spot.”
The next WindEnergy Hamburg trade fair will take place 22 to 25 September 2020 at Hamburg Messe. The WindEurope Conference will again be held in parallel.
WindEnergy Hamburg 2018 Messeplatz Eingang Mitte