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All-Energy Opportunities Keep Pace with Renewables Development
It's official. This is "the year of renewables". Energy Minister
Brian Wilson MP declared it so at the start of the year and predicted that the
potential contribution of power generated from clean sources will finally be
recognized in the UK.
"The opportunity now exists for potentially viable projects to gain the
support and access that they need," he said, adding "I want to support
each of the renewable technologies to the point of establishing which of them
have viable futures in the UK context." He stressed that investment in
infrastructure is going to be necessary if the full potential of renewables
is to be realized, and that renewables can become the basis of a substantial
manufacturing sector. "It should never be forgotten that we had world leadership
in wind power 20 years ago but did next to nothing with it. The Danes took a
different view and now have a £4 billion per year manufacturing industry.
I am determined that the same thing should not happen with wave power, biomass
and other technologies in which we are well placed to lead the world."
His views mirror the aims of the All-Energy Opportunities Conference and Exhibition
with its down to earth conference sessions looking at turning political imperatives
into reality, up-to-date market overviews for windy (onshore and offshore) and
wet (wave and tidal stream) renewables; supply chain issues; Scotland's
response to renewables ? with particular focus on the North East; getting
results and making money from renewables; new technologies ? including
methods of deployment and installation, turbine technology, and wave and tidal
advances; making connections; and obtaining financial support to achieve corporate
goals. All in addition to Ministerial opening addresses on both days ?
Brian Wilson MP on the first day and Ross Finnie MSP on the second, and a raft
of compelling keynote addresses by key movers and shakers in the industry.
"We, our sponsors and supporters are thrilled by how All-Energy Opportunities
is shaping up," says David Stott, Chairman of Media Generation Events Ltd,
organizers of the event in partnership with Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference
Centre. "The exhibition hall is filling up with an interesting mix of exhibitors.
So far a highly encouraging number of exhibitors from Denmark, Germany, the
UK and USA have booked space, and interest in both the exhibition and conference
increases daily, judging by the number of web hits and registrations we are
receiving.
"The response reflects the optimistic feeling within the renewables industry.
There was a very real buzz at the first event in the series held in February
2001, but this will definitely be surpassed in May ? every day seems to
bring yet more positive news about renewables and their potential. This is certainly
a show happening at the right time in the right place.
"It is exciting to see the industry poised to really take off. Recent headlines
have told the rapidly emerging tale of an increasingly buoyant and exciting
renewables energy industry. On January 10, 2002, Energy Minister, Brian Wilson,
announced the award of a £1.1 million grant to The Engineering Business
Ltd for further development of their Stingray tidal stream power generation
system. This new grant, following on from a three-month feasibility study, supported
by the DTI, will support the design, manufacture, installation, operation and
evaluation of the system. Potential sites in the Shetland Islands have been
identified and consent applications for the site will be submitted shortly.
"We hope that many companies working in the oil and gas industry will use
All-Energy Opportunities 2002 to grasp the opportunity to consider diversification
into this field alongside their existing business, and either exhibit their
products and services that are of use to the renewables industry, or use the
conference as vital market research into possibilities for their organization
? that, after all, was what the All-Energy series of events was set up
to help to achieve."
All-Energy Opportunities 2002 is sponsored by The Society for Underwater Technology,
held in association with the British Wind Energy Association and with the support
of Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, EnergyWeb.net,
Industrial & Power Association, The International Marine Contractors Association,
Offshore Contractors' Association, Scottish Council for Development and
Industry, Scottish Energy Environment Foundation, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish
Renewables Forum and Seapower Europe.
Further information on all aspects of the May event is available from info@all-energy.co.uk
or from All-Energy Opportunities, 34 Ellerker Gardens, Richmond, Surrey TW10
6AA, UK. Tel: +44 (0)20 8241 1912 as well as from the show's website at www.all-energy.co.uk
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