The reference event dedicated to wind energy, Wind Europe 2022, continues its sessions with a more than large number of visitors who meet the expectations of the more than 250 exhibitors. If the first estimates predicted an influx of around 8,000 professional visitors, the best figures had already been reached on the second day of the exhibition-conference, which suggests a splendid influx and business opportunities. The massive use of work and networking spaces attests to this.
Also the presentations, both in the largest and most dedicated spaces (Luxua Tower) and in various points spread over the exhibition area and its surroundings, the so-called “Wind Talks”. For example, the stage hosted a summit of energy clusters from across Europe, an analysis of the North American wind market and a deep dive into electrification, covering electric vehicle charging infrastructure and pumps to heat and how to connect them to the wind; the use of drones and robots for wind turbine operation and maintenance; and technology to mitigate and ensure positive impacts on biodiversity.
Wind Europe Bilbao’s conference program continues, focusing on topics such as streamlining wind farm handling processes, European supply chain competitiveness, floating offshore wind, energy pricing, digitization and sustainability of energy management.
Thus, for the last day of the event, the celebration of no less than 13 conferences is planned. Among them, we can highlight the one dedicated to “Making offshore wind energy a reality in Spain”. As a backdrop, let us recall that our country approved on December 21 a clear roadmap for offshore wind power, mainly focused on floating solutions (FOW) with the objective of reaching 3GW in 2030. With more than 7,000 km of coasts, constant marine spaces and high wind resources, a consolidated and solid supply chain (OEM WTG, naval industry, port infrastructures, etc.) and a world leading position in the R&D of FOW prototypes, Spain has huge potential to become a Fow industrial hub. The next steps are also clear and will be discussed during this session: the approval of maritime spatial planning in the second quarter of 2022, the process of updating the regulations which will take place in 2022, the design of the new auctions and the announcement of the premiere in Q4 2022 – Q1 2023. Sara Aagesen is expected to speak
Secretary of State for Energy, Ministry of Ecological Transition; Benedict Gilbert of Vestas; Carlos Martin, of BlueFloat Energy; Javier Herrador, from Navantia; Manuel Fernandez, of Ocean Winds; Jose Antonio Valbuena Alonso; the Government of the Canary Islands; and Andima Ormaetxe, Director of Operations, Sales and Logistics of the Port of Bilbao.
Precisely, uniting the government of the Canary Islands and its ports with the port of Bilbao, the president of the Port Authority of Bilbao, Ricardo Barkala, held meetings with the presidents of the port of Tenerife, Carlos González, and of Las Palmas, Luis Ángel Ibarra, meetings in which he was accompanied by the president of UniportBilbao, Jimmy Jaber.
business time
If the brightest titles refer to the presence of institutions and personalities from public life, at Wind Europe Bilbao 2022 we can also highlight the presence of companies in our sector and neighboring ones that make up the “chain of value” of the wind industry.
Thus, from the joint stand of UniportBilbao and the Port of Bilbao -under the aegis of “Wind Energy Basque Country”, located in Hall 1 of the BEC, which includes the stands of 50 companies and entities around this common brand, in a space of more than 800 square meters – several partner companies were seen to make visible their possibilities of collaboration in this value chain.
In addition, company representatives toured the show, visiting customers and suppliers, present or future, presenting their particular offer, but also the most comprehensive offer from the Basque hinterland. For example, representatives from Toro and Betolaza held meetings with various suppliers, both at their stands and at the head office in Bilbao.
In addition, Uniport and the Port of Bilbao explained the possibilities of the infrastructures of Biscay as well as the capacities of the port community as a whole. Companies are trained, and have demonstrated it time and time again, to provide a “turnkey” and “door-to-door” service for wind products. One such example was the meeting between the director of UniportBilbao, Inmaculada Ugarteche, and the CEO of Haizea Wind Group, Borja Zarraga, who explained the difficult situation created by the increase in prices for energy suppliers, aggravated by the transport strike in the port of Bilbao, fortunately, is already over.
Another of the companies present, with its own stand, was Aretarp -Grupo Embaresa-, leader in personalized protective covers for the storage and transport of all types of loads, specializing in wind energy. To the interested public, Ainhoa Güenechea, Marian Ferro and Alfonso Barreiro, who presented their products such as PVC canvas, retractable polyethylene, anti-scratch and anti-rust, heat-insulating and heat-insulating textiles, manufactured in Euskadi and distributed in worldwide.
Germany, Denmark and France, large territories grouped together, have shown their strengths both in logistics and in the design, manufacture, storage, delivery and installation of onshore and especially offshore wind farms, with a focus on floating offshore wind. Delegations from various countries, including the United States, Norway, Belgium, Poland, Turkey, Wales, Ireland, Luxembourg, Greece and representatives from the European Union, also attend. .
In this international, port, logistics and commercial context, El Canal was present with the distribution of its first magazine of the year, which analyzes both the formation of the sector and the presence of our companies and institutions in Germany, during the International Fruit Logistics meeting.
