The countdown is on – 200 days to go until the launch of WindEnergy Hamburg. The global wind industry’s top event will be writing the next chapter of its success story next September: already the number of registrations is about five per cent higher than it was around this time ahead of the 2024 event, and the exhibition floor at the world’s leading wind industry fair will exceed 80,000 m2 for the first time. The new Hall A2 will be dedicated to the all-important subject of Energy Storage. The integration of energy storage technology is considered as crucial for the long-term success of renewable energy. Exhibitors will showcase large-scale battery arrays as well as smart energy management technologies. What is more, the world’s leading wind industry fair is becoming even more international: This year’s exhibiting companies hail from more than 40 different countries, and the number of national pavilions is higher than at the last WindEnergy Hamburg, as well, now rising to a record 30.
A summit with a message
With this event, Hamburg is once more highlighting its role as a world-leading hub for wind energy. A powerful signal was sent from here at the end of January, when ten European energy ministers and other EU top representatives met in Hamburg for the North Sea Summit. The message of their “Hamburg Declaration“: The North Sea is to become the world’s biggest “power generator”. There are plans for thousands of new offshore wind turbines, and new sea bottom cables are to improve the continent’s grid connections. At total of 300 gigawatts (GW) of wind power capacity are to be installed by 2050 to reduce the continent’s dependence on imported energy substantially. According to calculations published by the industry organisation WindEurope, this would be tantamount to replacing 70bn euros worth of fossil fuels from the year 2040. The European wind energy industry welcomes this announcement, which promises to provide a more robust basis for planning, saying it intends to invest around 9.5bn euros in new production capacity and create more than 90,000 jobs by 2030.
Crucial impetus for the industry
Complex bidding procedures, delayed grid connections, high cost pressures, political opposition and a changing security situation: “The industry is facing enormous challenges,” says Andreas Arnheim, Director – WindEnergy Hamburg. The more vital it is to seize the opportunity to engage in an exchange of views with the global community, he adds. “It is all about taking an active role in shaping the future of our energy supply. WindEnergy Hamburg 2026 is the ideal platform to do so,” says Arnheim. Apart from well-established companies, the show floor will see many newcomers: Exhibitors from Germany qualifying as “Young Innovators” benefit from a grant offered by the German Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA), and international start-ups will enjoy an exclusive participation offer. Many new enterprises specialise in Artificial Intelligence solutions, a key enabler of the energy transition.
Conference programme features numerous highlights
A total of six open stages will be set-up directly within the exhibition halls to host a multifaceted conference programme, accessible to all visitors free of charge.
From reports on various market segments and regions to innovative technologies, and through to effective ways to protect critical infrastructure, top-flight speakers will address many topics relevant to the industry’s future.
- Political Industry Summit: Decision-makers from the industry meet policymakers to discuss current challenges and opportunities facing the global wind energy sector.
- Speakers’ Corner (Hall A3): Representatives of exhibiting companies will deliver keynote speeches on their innovative solutions for the energy transition.
- Global Markets Theatre (Hall B1.OG): Background information and analyses of international market developments will provide valuable input to inform global business strategies.
- Energy Transition Stage (Hall B6): Industry leaders will explore topics such as international cooperation, or innovative approaches to securing tomorrow’s energy supply.
- Offshore Stage (Hall B5): Speakers will provide practical insights and deliver strategic perspectives on current developments and technology trends related to offshore wind energy.
- Energy Storage (Hall A2): Energy storage technologies are an indispensable prerequisite for the flexibility and reliability of our entire energy system. Representatives of manufacturers, suppliers, project developers and scientific research institutions will elaborate on practical approaches.
- Recruiting Forum (Hall B3.OG): Young talents and career changers meet human resources representatives of exhibiting companies as well as experts from leading industry organisations.
Focus on recruitment
Attracting skilled professionals is the purpose of the Recruiting Days. On two days of the fair, young talents will be the focus of attention. Exhibiting companies and industry associations will provide insightful introductions to jobs in the wind energy sector, describing career paths, answering questions, and making time for personal conversations. Trainees, university students and pupils will have free access to the fair. Encouraging face-to-face interaction is a core objective of WindEnergy Hamburg: special areas for conversations between exhibitors and visitors will be provided in every hall, and popular networking formats such as Wine o'clock will be given even more space. What is more, around 100 company parties at exhibitor stands will create additional opportunities for informal in-depth exchanges.
Successful concept rolled out to Asia-Pacific
The Asia-Pacific region harbours significant potential for European companies. India, for example, is planning to expand its installed capacity by 140 gigawatts by the year 2030. Hamburg Messe und Congress (HMC) has formed a new cooperation partnership to unlock this promising market: Following its successful premiere in Hamburg last November, the RECHARGE Wind Power Summit powered by WindEnergy Hamburg will travel to Singapore in May. The two-day RECHARGE Wind Power Summit Asia-Pacific powered by WindEnergy Hamburg will launch as a combination of a top-flight industry conference and a compelling exhibition. “This event merges our know-how as trade fair organisers with the expertise of the industry magazine RECHARGE to make our mark in this dynamic growth market,” says Claus Ulrich Selbach, Vice President Exhibitions at HMC. The two partners will receive organisational support from two government agencies, Enterprise Singapore and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). Thus the world’s leading wind industry fair will add yet another chapter to its success story in Singapore.
press material for download: https://hmc.canto.de/b/I76DE
