USA - Largest wind power event in the World closes in Chicago

The U.S. wind energy industry today concluded in Chicago, Ill. the world’s largest wind conference, which hosted over 1,200 exhibiting companies and 23,000 attendees.

“The size and breadth of this show are a clear indicator that the wind energy industry is a hub of business activity even in this hesitant economy,” said AWEA CEO Denise Bode. “What we heard loud and clear from the industry assembled here in Chicago was a call to enact a national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) to secure a stable and growing market for renewable energy,” said AWEA CEO Denise Bode.

A poll released by AWEA at WINDPOWER showed that over 75% of Americans, including 71% of independents and 62% of Republicans, support an RES requiring that 25% of the nation’s electricity be generated from renewable energy by 2025.

WINDPOWER 2009 Conference & Exhibition highlights include:
• Siemens announced it will open a wind turbine nacelle manufacturing facility in Hutchinson, Kansas. Investment in manufacturing facilities in the U.S. has accelerated over the past two years, with over 55 wind turbine and wind turbine component manufacturing facilities announced, added or expanded in 24 states in 2008.

• Exhibitors from 48 states, and representatives from all 50 states and from 70 countries were present at WINDPOWER, demonstrating the industry’s national and international scope;

• The exhibition hall exceeded 290,400 square feet—more than the 2008 (168,700 square feet) and 2007 (92,500 square feet) WINDPOWER shows combined.

• WINDPOWER welcomed over 23,200 attendees, up from 13,000 in 2008; 1,300 in 2004 (which as also held in Chicago); and 1,000 in 2001.

• Five Governors (Governors Chet Culver of Iowa, Jim Doyle of Wisconsin, Jennifer Granholm of Michigan, Pat Quinn of Illinois, and Ted Strickland of Ohio) addressed the conference. The Governors of Kansas and Pennsylvania were also present. States and their offices of economic development are competing to attract wind turbine supply chain companies and create good jobs. At least 19 state or regional economic development offices were exhibiting at WINDPOWER .

• Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Energy Secretary Steven Chu (via a taped speech) and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Jon Wellinghoff also addressed the conference. Secretary Salazar pointed to new rules for offshore wind farms that open the way for the U.S. to become a leader in offshore wind power. Both noted the value of a national Renewable Electricity Standard in creating jobs, helping hold down costs for consumers, and diversifying the nation’s electricity portfolio. “At no time in our history has the time for a new energy policy been so urgent. This is an opportunity that Americans cannot afford to miss,” said Secretary Salazar.

• T. Boone Pickens, who planted wind energy firmly in the public consciousness with his high profile campaign, again pointed to the need to get off foreign oil by using more renewables to produce electricity and more natural gas for transportation. He predicted Congress will eventually pass comprehensive legislation, including an RES, because the American people support it.

The WINDPOWER 2010 Conference & Exhibition will take place May 23-26 in Dallas, Texas.

For more information please contact Trevor Sievert at ts@windfair.net