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BWEA Press Release

Friday 28th October 2005

BWEA27: industry on display in Cardiff

Review of the UK's largest dedicated wind and marine renewables event

BWEA is pleased to report that well over 1000 people attended the conference and exhibition over the course of three days, bringing together the leading players in our rapidly growing wind and marine renewables industries. The keynote speech from UK Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks was well received, not least because he announced consent for npower renewables' Little Cheyne Wind Farm in Romney Marshes, Kent, but also reaffirmed government's continuing commitment to renewables in the UK by saying "but I want to be clear - hear and now - that renewables are here to stay and will continue to be a crucial part of the mix".

Andrew Davies, Minister for Economic Development and Transport at the Welsh Assembly, told delegates of his delight at the event returning to Wales after 7 years, and talked of the Assembly's new strategy for a clean and secure energy future for Wales, which includes the target of 4 TWhr of electricity from renewables by 2010, and how this vision is becoming reality through the publication of TAN8, describing it as a policy made in Wales for Wales.

Conference delegates were then treated to a lively debate chaired by journalist and broadcaster Stephen Sackur, with panellists Michael Rea from the Carbon Trust, Tony Juniper from Friends of the earth, the Right Hon Brian Wilson, former UK Energy Minister and Lord Colin Moynihan, previous patron of BWEA and Executive Chairman of Clipper Windpower Europe, sharing their views on what needs to be done to create a low carbon Britain.

The conference then continued with the usual industry sector updates, with 75 speakers in the main plenary and technical sessions, reporting on excellent progress onshore, challenges offshore and issues regarding the wave and tidal energy sectors. Topics included delivering the wind energy target in Wales, finance & the RO, development considerations, grid, project delivery, health & safety, technical issues, the regions, supply chain, small wind systems, aviation & MOD and delivering the message, including an update on the Embrace the Revolution campaign.

Meanwhile an unprecedented number of visitors flocked to see the 85 companies on display at the accompanying exhibition, which also offered excellent networking opportunities for the industry to take advantage of. With a 2MW nacelle from manufacturers REpower on display outside the venue and the conference and exhibition literally being the talk of the town, around 200 members of the public came along to see what all the fuss was about.

Those joining us at the Gala Dinner heard a stirring speech of support from embrace the revolution champion Vincent Kane OBE, explaining just why his experiences as a broadcaster in Wales for 40 years led him to become a champion of wind energy. A key feature of this year's gala dinner was the auction of Magnum Photography images from the embrace the revolution campaign. BWEA is exceptionally pleased to say that a grand total of £2,500 was raised for the Ellen MacArthur Trust, which supports children suffering from cancer, leukaemia or other serious illnesses by introducing them to the joys of sailing on the sea. The awards ceremony kicked off with the prestigious peer recognition award, the Developer's Developer. This year's winner was Steve Cowie of Airtricity, presented by last year's winner, Ted Leeming (formerly of Natural Power). You will find no more commitment to wind energy in Scotland than that demonstrated by Steve Cowie, managing director of Airtricity. Not only has the Greenock-based company been one the most successful developers of wind farms north of the border in recent years, Steve has also done much to help the renewables industry emerge as a key player in power generation in Scotland.

Other awards included:

  • Winners of the Annual BWEA Sailing Regatta, organised and sponsored by npower renewables - SeaRoc
  • Winners of the Annual BWEA Darts Match - Sgurr Energy
  • Outstanding Contribution to Communications - Alison Cooney of ScottishPower, awarded by Alison Hill, Head of Communications at BWEA
  • Outstanding Contribution to Grid & Technical Issues - Joe Duddy of RES, awarded by Richard Ford, Head of Grid & Technical Affairs at BWEA
  • Outstanding Contribution to Onshore Wind Energy - Professor Styles of Keele University & Wing Commander Brian George of the MoD, awarded by Chris Tomlinson, Head of Onshore Wind at BWEA
  • Outstanding Contribution to Wave & Tidal Energy - Richard Yemm and Max Carcas of Ocean Power Delivery, awarded by Mike Hay, Marine Renewables Development Manager at BWEA

Congratulations to all the recipients once again. Congratulations and thanks also go to the following companies who supported BWEA27 by sponsoring elements of the event: ScottishPower Renewables (core sponsors), GE Energy, Fred.Olsen Renewables, npower renewables, WindPro, PB Power, Regen SW, AREG, RES, E.ON and the Welsh Development Agency.

Conference proceedings will be posted to all conference delegates by mid November and will be available for others to purchase via the BWEA website - see www.bwea.com/27 for more information on BWEA's 27th annual conference and exhibition including the full ocnference programme, list of delegates attending and companies exhibiting.