Presentation of Wind PowerExpo, 12th International Wind Power Trade Fair

The wind energy sector is currently one of the most dynamic in the world and has a bright future ahead. At the recent European congress EWEC 2009 for example, it was announced that wind power might supply the equivalent of 60% of European homes in 2020, as in that year, installed wind power capacity will reach 230 GW. Meanwhile, the European Commissioner for Energy himself, Andris Pielbags, has remarked that European companies have two thirds of the world wind power technology market, valued at €35,000 million.

Moving with the times

The PowerExpo trade fair has evolved as the renewable energies sector in Europe has grown and this year the event, which previously covered a variety of renewable technologies, will focus solely on wind power; adopting the new name Wind PowerExpo. It will have a more international reach and the exhibition space has been increased to 10,000 m². Until last year, the event was also held on even-numbered years but has been rescheduled to odd-numbered ones this year to avoid overlapping with the other main international wind power meetings in Europe, primarily the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) conference at the beginning of each year and Husum (Germany) which is held on even-numbered years.

Julián Pérez has confirmed that to date, 83 exhibitors have signed up, 30% of which are foreign wind companies primarily from other Europe states, the US and Japan. According to Pérez, the “new” Wind PowerExpo is destined to become “Southern Europe’s greatest trade fair” and, of course, “a privileged showcase of the Spanish wind industry, whose leadership is recognised throughout the world”.

A packed agenda

The Spanish Wind Energy Association (Asociación Empresarial Eólica, AEE), which brings together nearly two hundred wind companies across Spain, is organising the technical workshops at Wind PowerExpo. The main issues on the agenda at these working sessions will be those currently faced by the industry such as: wind farm assembly; transport and logistics; wind farm development, with a special commitment to operation and maintenance; the evolution of the wind turbine market; research, development and innovation (R&D&I); the re-powering of existing wind farms; and offshore wind energy. For the second year running, AEE will also dedicate a session to the generation of employment in the wind industry and space will be set aside for companies, job seekers and training centres to meet.

As José Donoso, Chairman of AEE, has said: “a leading wind industry needs a leading trade fair”. Based on the changes made this year and plans already in place, it does not look like the the wind industry professionals who have already made an appointment in their agenda to attend Wind PowerExpo will be disappointed.

Wind PowerExpo takes place from 22-24 September 2009 in Zaragoza (Spain).

For additional information:

http://www.powerexpo.es/

http://www.aeeolica.es/