WindEnergy 2004: Exhibitor participation up 30% on 2002

WindEnergy - International Trade Fair
at Hamburg Fair Site from 11 to 14 May 2004

More than 320 exhibitors from 18 nations are expected with their innovative products and services for WindEnergy 2004 – International Trade Fair, the second event in the series, to be held on four days from 11 to 14 May. That is 20% more than for the first event in 2002, which featured 240 exhibitors from 16 nations. This is the world’s largest specialist event for the whole of the wind energy sector, and is expected to attract more than 15,000 trade visitors from 20 countries. Once again, there will be numerous countries making their presentations at joint stands of up to 400 square metres. The increasing importance of the wind industry for these countries is shown by funding for fair attendance from the respective foreign trade ministries. The largest national exhibitor groups will be from Spain and the UK.

"In 2004 we took another major step towards international markets," reports Project Manager Heiko Heiden. And the success is evident – there are many countries that will be assembling their national wind industry under the roof of their large national pavilions. Spain is a major growth market in the industry, and will have a strong presence with its official joint delegation at WindEnergy this year again (Hall 5). The Spanish pavilion covers more than 400 square metres. Financial support for this participation comes from the foreign trade ministry Instituto Español de Comercio Exterior (ICEX). It includes companies such as the manufacturer M. Torres Disenos Industriales, the cast component manufacturer TS Fundiciones S.A., and Antec S.A., which manufactures brakes for wind turbines. The Spanish manufacturer Gamesa Eólica is also represented with its own stand in Hall 4.

The British wind energy industry is presenting itself to the international audience at a 300 square metre stand, coordinated by the British Wind Energy Association (BWEA). One of the features of the UK Village (Hall 5) is a range of 17 British component suppliers from the West Midlands region, showcasing their products and services for the wind industry under the heading of Wind Supply WM. The Wind Supply project is supported by the business promotion agency Advantage West Midlands (AWM). In order to demonstrate the innovative strength of the component suppliers from the West Midlands to the turbine manufacturers, the Hamburg consulting bureau elexyr, working under contract with Wind Supply, is also organising fair visits and delegation visits for the participating companies. "We will visit Gamesa Eólica, GE Energy, LM Glasfiber and Alstom Power Conversion at their fair stands. We also plan to visit the REpower production facility in Husum and the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Koog wind test field", notes Klaus-Peter Lehmann of elexyr in his comments on the programme. Further exhibitors in the UK Village (altogether 24) include the component supplier Anderson Precision Gears, which makes gearboxes and bearings, and the mechanical engineering company OCP Cable Protection Ltd., which specialises in cables and cable connectors.

There are also national delegations from Denmark (140 square metres) and Finland (four exhibitors on 35 square metres in Hall 7). The Danish stand (Hall 5) includes nine companies presenting their products and services, such as the grid operator Eltra and the tower manufacturer DS SM A/S: "The Danish wind industry comprises a large number of small and medium sized companies, each of which plays a role as a component supplier or a service company in conjunction with large wind projects", explains Jørgen Schaarup the Embassy Counsellor responsible for organising the joint stand.

"Support for wind energy as a renewable energy source is a matter of deliberate policy, as is evident in Germany", notes Heiko Heiden. "And in order to get those policy decisions, it is essential to provide up-front information on the markets of the future". A number of political delegations will be attending WindEnergy 2004, to make use of the extensive information provisions, collect information on technological issues, and to make contacts with the industry. Official visitor groups have been announced from China, India, the Czech Republic and others.

The WindEnergy 2004 – International Trade Fair will be held from Tuesday 11 to Friday 14 May. The opening times are from 9am to 6pm, with extended opening up to 8pm on the Thursday. This international trade fair is a global platform for manufacturers and component suppliers, planners, financing institutes, measurement and certification agencies and specialists from research and development, to help them continue the expansion of this market of the future. The official international partners of WindEnergy are EWEA, VDMA and DEWI, and AWEA and InWEA. Admission charges (incl. catalogue) for on-line/at-the-gate registration: 4-day ticket €33/€48; 2-day ticket €28/€38; day ticket €23/€30.50; school & university students and trainees €8/€13.