WindEnergy Hamburg:Free conference programme to lend crucial impetus to the energy transition

WindEnergy Hamburg, where the key stakeholders of the global wind energy sector gather, is the industry’s most important event of the year 2024. 1,500 companies from 40 countries will be represented at the leading global trade fair for wind energy which takes place at Hamburg Messe und Congress from 24 to 27 September. Its conference programme, held on five stages in the exhibition halls, will be accessible to all fair visitors free of charge. Leading experts will offer up-to-date insights into global market developments, the latest technologies, cooperation and financing options as well as career and training opportunities in this dynamic industry.

“WindEnergy Hamburg will not only bring together the entire industry this September; we are also placing a major emphasis on providing opportunities for networking, knowledge transfer and experience-sharing to help drive the expansion of wind energy around the world,” says Claus Ulrich Selbach,Business Unit Director Maritime & Technology Exhibitions. The first day of the fair will begin with the Political Industry Summit, a gathering of the Who’s Who of the sector: Political decision-makers from Norway, Denmark, Germany and other countries will be joined by industry leaders from Europe, Singapore, India and China to discuss current challenges facing the wind energy industry.

Following the official opening on Tuesday morning, which will be streamed to the stages of WindEnergy Hamburg as well as the fair website, the multifaceted programme will begin. At Speakers’ Corner (Hall A3), for example, the focus will be on the exhibiting companies: “In ten-minute keynotes, major players of the wind industry will highlight a wide range of solution approaches towards a successful energy transition,” says Andreas Arnheim, Director of WindEnergy Hamburg. “We are once again looking forward to WindEnergy Hamburg as a platform for new concepts and innovations that encourages knowledge sharing.” Speeches will cover subjects such as high-altitude wind energy, requirement-driven night-time illumination of wind turbines, erosion calculation tools, or the importance of power transformer monitoring in onshore and offshore wind farms.

Aside from Speakers’ Corner, inspiring speeches will be heard at the Global Markets Theatre (Hall B1, upper level), the Energy Transition Stage (Hall B6) and the Offshore Stage (Hall B5). The purpose of the stages is to facilitate a comprehensive exchange and transfer of knowledge. Therefore all conferences will take place on open stages right inside the exhibition halls, and be accessible to all fair participants free of charge.

The name of the Global Markets Theatre tells visitors what to expect: This is where experts will share their assessments of the global wind energy market, including the developments in Asia and Australia. For example, the panel discussion “Deep Dive: Understanding China” will provide compelling insights into China as a leading player in the global market. “Deep Dive: Focus on Offshore Wind in Brazil” will explore opportunities to utilise the 700 GW offshore wind potential offshore Brazil. Other panels will address recent developments in countries such as Australia or South Korea.

The “VDMA Industry Panel” on the Energy Transition Stage will investigate topics such as rotor blade recycling challenges, improving international cooperation, or re-using recycled material. Another promising item on the agenda is the WindEurope panel discussion “North Sea: setting sails for renewable hydrogen”. In April 2023, more than 100 companies from the offshore wind and renewable hydrogen segments signed a joint declaration aiming to turn the North Sea into Europe’s leading renewable energy centre. Josche Muth, Head of Regulatory & Public Affairs Germany and P2X Europe at the leading industry-leading energy company Ørsted, as well as Maurice Delattre, Area Manager, Port of Amsterdam, and Constantine Levoyannis, Head of EU Affairs at Nel Hydrogen, will assess the associated risks and opportunities.

Recruiting: winning talents for the future of wind energy

None of these ambitious projects can be implemented without trained professionals. Therefore this year’s WindEnergy Hamburg places a special focus on recruiting. To encourage as many university students, trainees and pupils as possible to attend WindEnergy Hamburg, they will be admitted to the fair free of charge during the Recruiting Days on 26 and 27 September. On both days, the Recruiting Forum will be an especially rewarding destination for potential job seekers: WindEnergy Hamburg exhibitors and experts from industry organisations will provide valuable insights into the industry. “It takes visionaries and passionate wind energy advocates to implement the energy transition successfully. We are constantly looking for new team members who are motivated to make the future of our energy systems greener and more efficient,” says Tim Fischer, Head of HR, ENERCON Germany.

WindEnergy Hamburg builds networks

To round out this comprehensive programme, the Wine o’Clock sessions will provide an opportunity to meet in a relaxed atmosphere with free drinks and DJ music on the stages of WindEnergy Hamburg daily at 17:30. “We are excited to provide the entire industry with an opportunity to network and share news and views away from the exhibition stands as a perfect way to end a successful day at the fair,” says Andreas Arnheim. In addition, various exhibitors will host stand parties for interested visitors.

To help participants deepen their newly-established business ties after the end of the fair, Hamburg Messe und Congress offers a free digital networking platform app for WindEnergy 2024 Hamburg which allows exhibitors and visitors to network before, during and after the event and create their personal agendas including appointments and shoulder programme events. Networking Platform  - WindEnergy Hamburg

WindEnergy Hamburg will open its doors daily at 10:00 from 24 to 27 September. Visitors with online tickets will be able to travel to the fair sustainably: Every visitor ticket purchased online includes a ticket to and from the fair on Hamburg’s public transport system.