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30.09.2018

GLOBAL WIND SUMMIT 2018

Over 35,000 visitors from 100 countries came to Hamburg last week (September 25-28, 2018) for the largest business, networking and educational gathering of the entire wind energy industry.

The Global Wind Summit consisted of two parts: WindEnergy Hamburg’s global on & offshore expo with more than 1,400 exhibitors and WindEurope’s global on & offshore conference. In parallel to the expo, over 50 conference sessions by 250 experts put attendees at the forefront of every aspect of the modern wind industry. Leading voices from policy, business and technology discussed the opportunities and challenges for wind in today’s changing world.

The WindEurope 2018 Conference explored how wind energy would set to continue breaking new ground from four different angles: electrification, sector-coupling, digitalisation and other technology developments in wind, finance and the implications of an increasingly merchant environment - auctions, and corporate PPAs.

Renewables are now 30% of Europe’s power but are only 18% of heating and 6% of transport. Electrifying heating and transport is key to decarbonising Europe’s economy.

Digitalisation is opening new ways to design, build, operate and maintain wind farms. It’s reducing operating costs and increasingly contributing to system integration.

Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) said: “When we talk about system integration, the magic word is “flexibility” in our systems to address the challenge which is coming from solar and wind integration”.

European Commissioner for energy Miguel Atias Canete and Birol both stressed that the energy transition needs to go beyond the power sector into heating, cooling and transport.

Speaking about the event, Anja-Isabel Dotzenrath, Chief Executive Officer, E.ON Climate & Renewables said: “Decarbonising the world’s energy mix means fully exploiting the potential of renewables in the power, transport and building sectors. The Global Wind Summit is where we can set the agenda for sector-coupling and electrification to plan for a cleaner, greener world”.

For the third consecutive time, Ukrainian manufacturer of wind turbines Fuhrlaender Windtechnology LLC had their own stand at WindEnergy Hamburg's Global on & Offshore Expo, exhibiting a full range of their products and services.

In general, over 50 people representing various Ukrainian and international companies actively involved in the wind sector of Ukraine, including developers, equipment manufacturers, lawyers, came to Hamburg to visit and participate in the wind fair in.

At a side event of the Global Wind Summit 2018, People's Artist of Ukraine, World Music Award and Eurovision Song Contest winning recording artist Ruslana was officially awarded the honorary title of “International Ambassador for Global 100% Renewable Energy Platform” for her active role in promoting renewable energy worldwide. The concert-presentation of a new musical project "Wild Energy" was organised with financial support from WWEA, UWEA, MC Wind Parks of Ukraine, Vindkraft Group and Eco-Optima LLC.

The Ukrainian power complex faces significant challenges – energy sector reconstruction and its transition from imported energy resources to clean-energy “green” technologies. The natural gas conflict – fossil fuels conflict between Russia and Ukraine is one of the main drivers for unleashing the on-going hybrid war in Eastern Ukraine. Renewable energy development and wind sector in particular, means not only usage of local, environmentally friendly energy resources, development of local infrastructure, investment in the regions and job creation, it also sets the world on the path to peace and security, stressed Andriy Konechenkov, Chairman of the UWEA’s Board, speaking at the ceremony for awarding the title of “International Ambassador for Global 100% Renewable Energy Platform” to Ruslana.