WindEnergy 2006 already three quarters booked, Environment Minister Gabriel to speak at Opening Ceremony

With around three months to go before the start of this premier event in the international wind industry on 16 May 2006, WindEnergy 2006 is characterised by strong interest on the part of exhibitors. "We have more registrations than in the comparative period for the last WindEnergy two years ago," says Peter Bergleiter, Project Director of this international event, in his first interim report. We already have registrations from 250 businesses, institutions and professional associations. That means most of the 23,000 or so square metres of space are now booked in the three new Halls A1, A2 and A3 of the "New Hamburg Trade Fair", which for the first time will be the venue for the WindEnergy 2006 (the third event in the WindEnergy series). Another important sign of the times, indicative of the growing importance of the WindEnergy 2006, is the attendance of Sigmar Gabriel, Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, to speak at the Opening Ceremony of this leading international exhibition of the wind industry, on 16 May.

"It is very pleasing to see the clear signals given by the international wind market," says Peter Bergleiter. "The percentage of exhibitors from abroad is growing steadily. About 40% of the exhibitors at the WindEnergy 2006 are international companies. There are as many as eleven globally active wind turbine manufacturers exhibiting their innovations and projects in the new halls of the Hamburg Messe. The fact that the WindEnergy has become the outstanding event for the worldwide wind energy market in recent years is also demonstrated by the number of national delegations. "The USA, the UK, Denmark, Spain, Norway and Sweden plan to be present in Hamburg with national pavilions," added the Project Director. And more than 100 businesses, institutions and industry associations have registered as first-time exhibitors at WindEnergy 2006.

The high level of interest on the part of exhibitors and visitors is also promoted by the subjects dealt with at the high-calibre supporting conference programme dialog@WindEnergy. The "National Forum" presents the key target markets with their legal, political and economic conditions and developments. More than 20 nations have registered to give presentations here, and there are more inquiries. The "Exhibitor Forum" gives a platform for numerous turbine manufacturers, equipment suppliers and project developers to present their product innovations and services. And the "Topics Forum" comprises a range of expert presentations and panel discussions on issues such as export, offshore engineering, finance & insurance, service concepts and grid expansion - matters which are of vital importance to this expanding industry. dialog@windenergy is backed by a number of additional events such as the VWEW Congress, organised by the German Electricity Association (VDEW) on 16 and 17 May.

WindEnergy - International Trade Fair will be held from 16 to 19 May 2006 in the first three halls completed of the New Hamburg Fair. This is the leading international exhibition for the industry and is entirely dedicated to this growing sector. It gives turbine manufacturers and component suppliers, planners, finance institutes, measurement and certification agencies and experts from research and development the ideal forum for further expansion of this forward-looking market. The key subjects at WindEnergy 2006 are export, offshore technology, and financing.