Wind industry in high spirits at Husum Wind 2023 / 600 exhibitors expect 15,000 trade visitors / Lower Saxony’s Minister of Economics Lies and Schleswig-Holstein’s Minister for Energy Conversion Goldschmidt underline the importance of wind energy and renewable energies for the states’ policies
Husum | 12 September 2023 – Today, Robert Habeck, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, opened the Husum Wind 2023 trade fair in the presence of state politicians, exhibiting companies and association representatives. Speaking at the opening in the NordseeCongressCentrum at the Husum Fair, the Federal Minister emphasised the importance of the innovations and technological advances presented at the fair for a successful energy transition. The Minister for Economic Affairs of Lower Saxony, Olaf Lies, and the Minister for Energy Conversion, Climate Protection, Environment and Nature of Schleswig-Holstein, Tobias Goldschmidt, represented the wind-rich federal states in the north of Germany. Over the next four days, 600 exhibitors from 15 countries will be presenting the latest products and technologies in the industry in the exhibition halls of Husum.
Habeck: Wind power is one of the most important sources of energy
“We all know it: Wind power is one of the key energy sources of the future. Therefore, we have set the course for a significant acceleration in the expansion of wind power. However, we can only achieve our goals if we step up the pace, especially when it comes to obtaining planning permission and making sites available,” said Dr Robert Habeck at the opening event, attended by 300 invited guests from industry, politics and associations.
Tobias Goldschmidt, Schleswig-Holstein’s Minister for Energy Conversion, Climate Protection, Environment and Nature, said of the expansion in Schleswig-Holstein: “Renewable energies are on the up again after years of lean times. The entrepreneurial spirit, passion and drive of the industry have contributed to this as much as the energy policy awakening in Berlin. Schleswig-Holstein can look back on the most successful six months in its history. The positive trend is continuing. Husum Wind is always something of a think tank for the future, a class reunion for the renewable energy sector. The aim for Schleswig-Holstein is to become a region of the climate economy and to turn its position as a wind power stronghold into further added value. This means settling down, innovating and creating the right regulatory framework. I am looking forward to discussing these issues with a large number of stakeholders here in Schleswig-Holstein.“
Lower Saxony is partner state of Husum Wind 2023
Lower Saxony’s Minister for Economic Affairs, Transport, Building and Digitalisation, Olaf Lies, spoke at the opening ceremony. He emphasised the role of the coastal states in the energy revolution. This year, Lower Saxony is Husum Wind’s official partner state. A total of 68 companies, including key players in the industry as well as small and medium-sized enterprises, start-ups, associations and funding organisations will be represented at this year’s fair. By 2040, the state of Lower Saxony also has a target of meeting its energy needs entirely from renewable sources. “Many opportunities to expand wind energy have been missed over the past ten years. We now want to make up for this by injecting new momentum into the sector. Husum Wind is one of Germany’s flagship trade fairs and an important platform. There must be a significant increase in the amount of wind power, both onshore and offshore. For reliability, independence and affordability, we need renewable energies. With the North Sea and the Baltic Sea as powerhouses for wind energy, Lower Saxony and the northern German coastal states offer the ideal conditions. The Husum Wind trade fair brings together the most important players in the industry to present the latest technologies and solutions and to forge partnerships for a sustainable future. As a partner country, we are therefore very pleased to be able to make our contribution to the successful implementation of the energy turnaround,” said Lies in Husum.
Wind industry on the rise, skills shortage growing
The German government is on course with legislation for the promotion of onshore and offshore wind energy. More land is to be made available for wind turbines and approval procedures are to be speeded up. “The industry is very optimistic. The political objectives are clear and we want to achieve them. We are currently in the process of building up employment along the entire value chain. The positive outlook is underlined by a significant increase in the number of approvals, even if there is still a considerable need to catch up in the south of the country,” says Bärbel Heidebroek, President of the German Wind Energy Association. Dr. Dennis Rendschmidt, Managing Director of VDMA Power Systems, emphasised the importance of the industrial added value created by the wind industry and called for: “Maintaining and expanding industrial value creation in Europe is a decisive factor for a stable supply of technologies and thus for the achievement of climate targets. For this to happen, projects need to be turned into orders and there needs to be a reliable way to expand. At the same time, measures must be taken to secure and strengthen investments in the supply chain and in the necessary infrastructure”. The growing shortage of skilled labour, which is affecting all sectors along the value chain, is another factor driving the market. More than ever, companies are looking for qualified young people from a wide range of disciplines due to the strong growth of the industry. The exhibition offers companies their own platform for recruitment and career issues with the Windcareer job fair.
Green Hydrogen Special Theme
HUSUM WIND 2023 will once again focus on “green hydrogen”. Within the framework of its motto “Transforming Energy”, HUSUM WIND will do justice to the outstanding importance of the alternative use of wind energy. For the long-term success of the energy transition, green hydrogen as a versatile energy carrier has a key role to play – and the technology is developing at a rapid pace. For the production of green hydrogen, wind power is the most important renewable source of electricity. For exhibitors from the wind energy industry, this is a source of additional potential along new value chains. In the Hydrogen Area in Hall 5, more than 40 exhibitors will be presenting innovative technologies and providing a stimulating forum for exchange. The accompanying forum programme is a platform in itself, offering companies R&D and networking opportunities.
Digitalisation
Tomorrow’s energy industry will be decentralised and digital. Without digitalisation and IT security, integrating renewable energies into the grid and thus transforming the energy industry will not succeed. With the Digital+ area, this year’s HUSUM WIND offers the ideal setting to get to know experts, established companies and start-ups all along the value creation chain. The performance, security and efficiency of renewable energies will be increased and made future-proof through artificial intelligence, IT security and blockchain technology.
