Nowadays, in times of economic and energy crises, it is more than ever clear that the development of renewable sources is the only way to reach energy security and fight against rapid climate change. “It’s time to put the climate issue first” – motto of this year’s exhibition and conference WindEnergy Hamburg2022, which is the world’s largest event of the global wind energy industry. The WindEnergy Hamburg 2022 program included various forums that encouraged participants to discuss and share knowledge.
Speaking at the opening of WindEnergy Hamburg, the Minister of Economy, Vice Chancellor of Germany Robert Habeck noted that the development of wind energy and the spread of renewable energy in general had become more urgently needed and more important than ever. “The accelerated energy transition is the key to a safe and sustainable energy supply not only in Germany, but also in the whole of Euro,” said Robert Habek and once again emphasized the importance of wind energy technologies, both onshore and offshore.
An exhibition and conference of the hydrogen energy sector “H2EXPO & CONFERENCE” was also held, as part of Wind Energy Hamburg 2022. The exhibition was focused attention on the combination of highly innovative technologies and processes in the field of renewable energy.
The Ukrainian wind energy industry was worthily represented at WindEnergy Hamburg 2022 fair by 22 UWEA’s member companies. The UWEA booth attracted a lot of visitors. “We will win(d)!” – the main message Ukrainian companies communicated to the fair’s participants and visitors.
UWEA representatives also spoke at several events held as part of the WindEnergy Hamburg 2022 program. Thus, Galyna Shmidt, UWEA Board member spoke at Renewables4Ukraine – Renewables4theWorld event hosted by the WWEA and Global 100% RE.
“All countries are paying currently a high price and need to accelerate the pathway towards 100% renewable energy”, noted Stefan Gsänger, Secretary General, WWEA.
Speakers from Ukraine, Turkey and the Netherlands presented different angels of the current energy crises and what the response should be. As special guest, ESC winner and Renewable Energy Ambassador Ruslana called for renewable action. All the speakers underlined that relief and post-war reconstruction of Ukraine should be based on renewables with wind energy at its core.
Galyna Shmidt: “Ukraine’s power sector recovery should be based on renewables. Energy security for Ukraine means our resistance to global threats and challenges and the confidence of Ukrainians in their future. All this can be achieved by the transition to renewable energy sources and other “green” energy technologies like renewable hydrogen.”
In her presentation at GWEC Working Lunch “Accelerating Renewables to achieve energy security and climate action” Galyna Shmidt emphasized: “With transition to renewable energy, energy itself will cease to be an instrument of political or military influence of one country on another. Ukraine needs EU help to recover our economy, rapidly electrify our energy system, produce renewable hydrogen and deploy offshore wind. This will require true technological and industrial partnership between Ukraine and the EU. For sure, huge investments are required to deliver all these targets. At the same time investing in Ukraine, in our wind power sector means investing not only in Ukrainian energy security but European energy security as well. Wind energy means Peace and Democracy!”
Joyce Lee, Head of Policy and Projects, GWEC, presented “A Five-Point Plan to Accelerate Renewables and Achieve Energy Security and Climate Action” drafted by GWEC to outline tangible steps for global policymakers to take within the next 12 months to address the energy and climate crises over the next 3 years; crises which have worsened in the last 12 months, exacerbated by the russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian wind energy industry was worthily represented at this year’s WindEnergy Hamburg2022 exhibition by 22 UWEA’s member companies.
“Ukraine has huge opportunities and potential for the electricity generation from wind with its further use both on the domestic market, including for the production of “green” hydrogen, and for export to the EU,” summarised Andriy Konechenkov, chairman of the UWEA Board.
Members of the Ukrainian delegation about their participation in WindEnergy Hamburg 2022:
“This year WindEnergy Hamburg showed the scale of Europe’s support for Ukraine, particularly in the field of renewable energy. Green energy is one of the important components of Ukraine’s national security and independence,” Dmytro Neshev, head of the engineering department of DTEK Renewables.
“The exhibition presented projects from different parts of the world, companies, technologies, equipment and software manufacturers, service providers, law and financial companies. It’s remarkable that the global industry has shifted its focus to offshore wind, especially there are a lot of such projects in Europe; so, this will become a reality for Ukraine in the next 10 years,” Serhiy Yevtushenko, Managing Partner of UDP Renewables.
“In today’s circumstances, participation of the Ukrainian companies in such international events is mandatory; it gives them the voices, find new contacts and review business strategies. Support for Ukraine is currently at an unprecedentedly high level, the desire to cooperate was expressed by all representatives of foreign companies who visited our stand. We prove every day that we are invincible on the battlefield, and we will prove it during the reconstruction of our country,” Oleksandr Repkin, special representative of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for economic diplomacy.
“Participation in the exhibition was an opportunity for us to share experience with the world’s leading industry players. Principally new approaches to the implementation of onshore and offshore wind projects, innovative solutions in implementing hydrogen technologies and RES projects in general will certainly be embodied in our new projects”, Serhii Kravchuk, Deputy Director of NESS Group.
“The exhibition provided excellent opportunities for the first steps in presenting our company at the EU level. We gained the necessary contacts with European companies. In short, there were 4 days of GREAT OPPORTUNITIES,” Vadym Lievienberg, director of the Communication Construction Company.
