A better time for the RECHARGE Wind Power Summit powered by WindEnergy Hamburg could hardly have been found: Just a few days after the end of COP 30, the World Climate Conference in Belem, Brazil, leading players from the international wind energy industry met at the CCH – Congress Center Hamburg to discuss political challenges, economic prospects and technical innovations.
Follow-up to a successful format
Exploring the sector’s prospects while building a platform for cooperation, more than 250 participants enjoyed an information-packed conference day and a first-rate exhibition. In fact, the RECHARGE Wind Power Summit powered by WindEnergy Hamburg format proved so successful that the organisers are determined to develop it further. At Hamburg’s city hall, Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH (HMC), DN Media Group – the parent company of RECHARGE, as well as Enterprise Singapore and the Singapore Tourism Board signed a Memorandum of Understanding to this effect: In 2026 there will be a two-day RECHARGE Wind Power Summit Asia-Pacific powered by WindEnergy Hamburg in Singapore. What is more, a three-day WindEnergy Asia-Pacific powered by RECHARGE flagship fair has been scheduled for 2027 as well as 2029 to cater for the growing wind energy market in Asia-Pacific. “Wind energy remains an essential key to the transformation of the energy sector,” said Claus Ulrich Selbach, Vice President Exhibitions at HMC. “Through our flagship fairs around the world, we help coordinate the interaction across the sector, which is so important for its long-term success.”
Focus on key issues
“Three quarters of global greenhouse gas emissions are produced by the energy sector. Therefore the energy transition is the most important initiative worldwide to mitigate global warming,” said Andrew Lee, editor-in-chief of the well-known industry publication RECHARGE, which organised the agenda for the conference. The good news is: The trend is unbroken. During the first half of 2025, more electricity was generated globally from renewable energy than from coal for the first time. According to the World Wind Energy Association, offshore and onshore wind farms with a combined rated output of 72 gigawatts were installed during that period, 50 gigawatts in China alone.
No wonder China’s dual role as the biggest market and the leading player in the industry was one of the most hotly debated topics during the event. For example, Dr. Dennis Rendschmidt, Managing Director of VDMA Power Systems, warned against dependency on deliveries from countries “that are our political competitors and whose laws allow them to meddle with the affairs of private enterprises.” But Horatio Evers, CEO of Ming Yang Europe, objected: “We are an independent and transparent private-sector enterprise, not the ‘extended arm’ of the Chinese government.”
Another discussion panel of top-flight experts addressed the need to protect energy systems as part of the critical infrastructure. Dr. Anna Wallbrecht, who heads the Offshore Wind unit at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs (BMWE), stressed the importance of maintaining a close dialogue with companies, especially in the context of cyber security. Stefan Thimm, Managing Director of the Federal Association of Offshore Wind Energy (BWO), pointed out that security is first and foremost a responsibility of the government, in particular “protecting against acts of sabotage.” Emphasising the severity of the present threat, Anu Eslas, Head of European and Baltic Affairs at Ignitis Group, commented: “The Baltic countries are being attacked on a daily basis, whether digitally or by drones or balloons.”
Game-changing technologies
Another expert panel explored technical innovations. Christian Wood, Executive Vice President, Renewables & Ocean Structures, Digital Solutions at DNV, explained how using Artificial Intelligence and trusted data can shorten cycle times from concept development to manufacture. AI is part of day-to-day wind turbine operation, as well, “whether in the context of Digital Twins, wind farm performance optimisation, or remote maintenance,” said Stephan Buller, Head of Offshore Portfolio Management & Floating Offshore Wind at Siemens Gamesa. Vestas is likewise employing AI in many areas. Adriana Verde Rios, Senior Vice President & Regional CTO, NCE at Vestas, specifically mentioned predictive maintenance and end-of-line testing.
The phenomenon of wake vortices was the subject of yet another panel discussion. Dr. Martin Dörenkämper from the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems, IWES, said: “In the closely-clustered wind farm regions in the North Sea, wake effects can reduce the energy harvest by up to 30 per cent.” Eirik Finserås, Ph. D., Associate & Partner at Wikborg Rein, highlighted legal issues. “Nobody owns the wind,” he said, stressing the need for bilateral solutions. Whatever the case, wake effects should always be taken into consideration when planning new wind farms, he added.
Increase of political hurdles
A major topic throughout the discussions between experts from politics, business, science and public administration was the changing political environment: In many countries, the fight against climate change is no longer a top item on the agenda. The United States government is actually undermining wind farm projects at an advanced developmental stage. These trends are forcing market players to be extremely flexible and financially resilient.
A wealth of topics – and massive expertise. “We are pleased to have successfully established a new conference format in Hamburg, jointly with our partner RECHARGE,” said Claus Ulrich Selbach. Alongside the conference, several market-leading suppliers took the opportunity to present their innovations at an exclusive exhibition at the CCH – Congress Center Hamburg. “The Summit was a highly successful event and a great networking platform. We met some old acquaintances from the industry and were able to engage in conversations with a number of representatives of the value chain,” said Hanno Stoll, Senior Sales Manager Sales & After Sales Germany North at Enercon.
Press Contact RECHARGE:
Pranjal Borkotoky, Director, Content Marketing and Global Events, DN Media Group AS
E-Mail: pranjal.borkotoky(at)dngroup(dot)com
press material for download: https://hmc.canto.de/b/MOCBV
