BWEA28

The biggest ever renewable energy conference and exhibition in the UK, organised by the British Wind Energy Association, was held at the SECC in Glasgow from 10 to 12 October. BWEA28 attracted over 2,000 people including conference delegates, exhibition staff and visitors, and all the leading players in the wind, wave and tidal sectors.

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BWEA is the UK’s leading renewable energy trade association, with over 300 corporate members. It is at the forefront of the development of the UK wind, wave and tidal stream industries, promoting and protecting its members’ interests to government, business and the media.

Wind energy has now started a major expansion in the UK and will be the single greatest contributor to the Government’s targets for renewables, now set at 20% of total electricity supplies by 2020, representing an investment of up to £16 billion in UK plc.

Around 150 speakers took to the platform, from energy and environment ministers to champions of industry, to highlight the urgent need to invest in wind, wave and tidal power and the opportunities this will bring to the UK. They also addressed the remaining barriers facing the continued growth of the industry.

BWEA and its members showed a stout determination to drive forward change, especially on issues of planning and grid, and, with government backing and the support of three-quarters of the general public, the future is looking promising and much more sustainable.

Exhibition
A total of 120 companies active in the wind, wave and tidal energy industry exhibited at BWEA28, making this BWEA’s largest exhibition to date. Exhibitors included wind turbine manufacturers, marine device manufacturers, developers, contractors, consultants, suppliers/services companies, electricity generators, utilities, financiers, insurers, component/materials manufacturers, and research/academic institutions. The accompanying conference addressed all the up-to-the-minute issues affecting onshore wind, offshore wind, wave and tidal energy and small wind systems. The exhibition was the largest of its kind in the UK and is organised by the industry, for the industry.

Proceedings and BWEA29
Conference delegates will be contacted shortly with their individual passwords to access the online conference proceedings, and passwords for non-delegates can be purchased for £49 + VAT. BWEA29 will be organised in October 2007. The exact dates and location will be announced later.{/access}