Financiers and insurers give information at WindEnergy 2006 on current offers Trend towards security and internationalisation

Two major trend subjects have emerged in the last three years both in financing and in insurance of wind turbines - security and internationalisation. This development has resulted in a large number of changes in financing concepts and insurance variants. The WindEnergy 2006 in Hamburg from 16 to 19 May gives exhibitors and trade visitors an ideal platform for know-how transfer and exchange of experience on all the possibilities in this sector. Finance and insurance are key issues at this premier international wind industry event, alongside offshore technology and export.

More and more wind farm investors are looking for projects that give greater security, for example by second or third expert reports. The trend in insurance policies provided by insurance companies or by the manufacturers themselves (many of whom likewise offer insurance) is moving towards comprehensive insurance packages. In addition, the financing models are moving away from private investors and closed-end funds, towards institutional investor groups, who are increasingly investing in international projects. Major finance and insurance companies will be at the WindEnergy 2006 to present their portfolio of services. They include Marsh AG, the KfW Bank Group, WPD AG, Voltwerk AG, PriceWaterhouseCoopers and Commerzbank AG, and Euromoney Energy Events presenting their financing concepts and insurance policies. There will also be numerous measurement and certification bodies, project developers, manufacturers and equipment suppliers.

International investment opportunities and the relevant insurance models are the focus of the "Finance and Insurance Day", which is part of the high-powered supporting programme dialog@WindEnergy, within the "Topics Forum" (Hall A1) on 18 May. The Bayerische Hypo- und Vereinsbank and Marsh AG will give presentations explaining their investment models and insurance variants for the major target markets. There will be a focus on the economic and political framework conditions, such as government research, development and subsidy programmes - for example in the booming US market, in Taiwan, and in Central and Eastern Europe.

The afternoon of the "Finance and Insurance Day" will concentrate on investments in offshore wind farms, presenting the insurance and finance opportunities for international offshore projects. The Danish power company Dong A/S, for example, will present the successful financing model for an offshore wind farm, reporting on their practical experience. Finally, the German Wind Energy Institute DEWI will provide information on "International due diligence", i.e. engineering and financial screening of projects. The up-to-date programme is available at the website www.windenergy.de.