"Concluding Report WindEnergy 2006"

A high proportion of international exhibitors and visitors was reported at the wind industry's leading trade fair, WindEnergy 2006, which was held in Hamburg this week, finishing today. There were a total of some 10 000 visitors (versus 8000 at the last WindEnergy), with about 30% of them from abroad (versus 27% in 2004). More than 330 companies from 26 nations presented their innovations and services for all aspects of the wind industry, during the four days of the fair; nearly 50% of exhibitors were from abroad. "This year's WindEnergy reflects the fact that international growth in the industry is well above the average," said Thorsten Herdan, Managing Director of VDMA Power Systems. "Just as the wind industry has become an important player in the global energy mix, this leading fair established itself definitively in 2006 as the global platform for the industry in the world market, with some 47% international exhibitors and an impressive proportion of trade visitors coming from abroad, compared with the first WindEnergy event held in 2002".

"Trade visitors and exhibitors from all over the world have accepted this leading fair as the ideal forum for expansion of their business in Germany and abroad," noted Dietmar Aulich, Managing Director of Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH (HMC). That is impressively underscored by the presence of key decision-makers of industry here in Hamburg. The industry appreciates the fact that the WindEnergy reflects the whole of the value chain, and its venue is at an international trade fair centre, with new, highly modern halls."

"What the world can learn by coming to WindEnergy Trade Fair Hamburg is to replicate the important achievements of Germany which has already succeeded in integrating wind energy at a large scale", said Christian Kjaër, Chief Executive of EWEA. "Germany has been a World leader in wind energy deployment since the mid-1990s. A strong Renewable Energy law has encouraged a flourishing industry that every visitor could meet, and I hope follow, during this third international trade fair." Bruce Douglas, Chief Operating Officer, added that "the WindEnergy trade fair also highlights the increasing interest from international markets with its high percentage of exhibitors from abroad, delegations from the emerging markets and an impressive side programme." The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) is the official cooperation partner of the WindEnergy.

About 40% of the trade visitors at the WindEnergy 2006 were decision makers (versus 37.6% at the previous event). 91% described their overall impression of the WindEnergy as good or very good, according to a survey. 90% of trade visitors highlighted the excellent information and contact opportunities offered by the international trade fair. The status of the WindEnergy as an industry event has risen significantly - 70% see the WindEnergy as the most important event for the industry, compared with 61% at the previous WindEnergy in 2004.

"A very large proportion of the visitors at our stand were international, coming from a large number of different markets worldwide, in particular from North America," said a satisfied Norbert Giese, Managing Director of Siemens Wind Power Deutschland. "We have had discussions on specific projects, and for example we closed a deal for a further repowering project for North Germany - with the 2.3 MW turbine exhibited here in Hamburg." Prof. Dr. Fritz Vahrenholt, Chairman of the Management Board of the manufacturer REpower Systems, said "The WindEnergy 2006 was highly successful for us. We were able to make the preparations for a large number of international contracts. The trade visitors were much more international this year. We were particularly pleased with our discussions with exhibitors and visitors from the United States, because the US is one of our target
markets. What is special about WindEnergy compared with other trade fairs is that not only the turbine manufacturers are represented here, but also machine builders. We will come here again, of course. This event is a 'must' for us!"

"The WindEnergy 2006 has positioned itself strongly as an international fair. The professionalism of this fair was apparent in the large number of international contacts, especially from China this year, and from many Eastern European countries such as Poland and Bulgaria. These are exactly the right contacts for us," said Carsten Pedersen, Marketing Director of the manufacturer Nordex.

Peter Ziegler, speaking for the manufacturer EU Energy, highlighted that "the WindEnergy is an extremely well organised fair, with a very strong international standard, held in outstanding exhibition halls. We had excellent discussions with highly expert visitors from a range of different countries, such as the USA, Canada and Eastern Europe. We will be here again for the WindEnergy 2008." "We were particularly pleased with the international visitors," said Stephan Schulze, Managing Director of Gamesa Wind, "especially from the Asian region. And that is precisely where we were able to make contacts, as we are increasing our activities in China. Another bonus point for this trade fair is the Forums and events, which were extremely well organised." Klaus Rogge, Marketing Manager Western Europe at GE Energy, said "Compared with other trade fairs in the industry, the WindEnergy 2006 featured a higher proportion of international exhibitors and trade visitors." "Here at the WindEnergy 2006 we organised a Career Center for our client Suzlon," said Johanna Füllgraf, Head of the human resources agency Mercuri Uval. "In the course of the fair, we received hundreds of applications for Suzlon."

Dr. Oliver Weinmann, Managing Director of Vattenfall Europe Renewables, noted that "The success of the WindEnergy also confirms our sponsoring commitment. Our presentation at the fair was very much at the centre of the international business world. We were able to hold extremely interesting discussions, and these will give rise to further business relations." Jens Peter Molly, Director of the German Wind Energy Institute (DEWI), said "the WindEnergy is the market place for the international wind industry. We had numerous discussions leading to expansion of our business, including with customers from Canada, Korea and Taiwan."

Six national pavilions were organised at the WindEnergy 2006. Kathleen A. McGinty, Secretary for the Environment of Pennsylvania, a state that presented itself at the US pavilion, said "the WindEnergy gives an ideal opportunity to make contacts with potential business partners. Unlike many trade fairs, the people coming to Hamburg are the decision makers. Pennsylvania will certainly be there again at the next WindEnergy." Ebbe Johansen, Embassy Councillor of the Royal Danish Embassy, said "All 13 companies at the Danish pavilion were highly satisfied with their showing at the fair. They are optimistic about positive follow-up business."

"We came to the WindEnergy for the first time in 2006, and as a Japanese company we previously had practically no experience in the European market," said Ryozo Murakami of the component supplier Shinko Electric. "But now we are delighted at the numerous excellent contacts we were able to make here at the trade fair." Huw Radley, Managing Director of the British equipment supplier Solent Composite Systems, said "We exhibited here for the first time. It was worth it - this fair is really 'buzzing'. We were particularly pleased at the numerous contacts and discussions with international exhibitors and visitors from China, India, the US and Canada." Werner Göbel of SKF (bearings): "The trade visitors here cover the whole bandwidth of the industry. This year the accompanying expert events were excellent".

Torsten Hinsche, Head of the Competence Centre for Renewable Energies of the Commerzbank, declared "Our conclusion from the WindEnergy is that it is well worth it! Our presentation at the fair gave us much closer contacts with industry than a bank usually has." Thomas Haukje, Regional Manager for the Marsh insurance group, said "This third WindEnergy went very well for us again. The international trade visitors and the major international companies that come together here at the Hamburg Fair are what characterises the quality of this fair. We will of course be back again for the next WindEnergy in 2008."

Beatrice Bod, spokesperson of the project developer Renergys, said "We are very satisfied. We intend to expand our business activities towards Poland this year, so we were particularly pleased at the Polish contacts we were able to make. We look forward to good follow-up business." Catrin Petersen, from the project manager WKN, said "What is special about the WindEnergy is that we have such outstanding trade visitors here. 95% of the visitors are in WKN's target group."

The three Forums in the supporting conference programme dialog@windenergy were very well accepted. They included focus days on Offshore, Finance, and on the Labour Market, and specific country forums covering the markets of the future, and also high-calibre panel discussions, thus playing an important part in exchange of views among the experts.

The next WindEnergy - International Trade Fair will be held by Hamburg Messe from 20 to 23 May 2008 - and the dates for 2010 have also been fixed - 18 to 21 May 2010. Further information on the trade fair, on the WindEnergy Study, and also photos, are available at