Newsletter No.6

Release Date: 2009-09-01 00:00:00

Steady European market for wind turbines in 2009, despite crisis

BRUSSELS -- Specialist green technology website www.greentechfocus.com reports that the European market for wind turbines is sailing well the 2009 financial storm but might face stronger blizzards in 2010.

On the basis of new research, the European Wind and Energy Association (EWEA) estimates that, in spite of the current drop in electricity consumption and tight financial conditions, 8,600 MW of new wind energy capacity will be installed in the EU-27 in 2009: an annual growth rate of 1% compared to 2008 installations. In 2008 wind energy, with 8,484 MW installed[i], was the largest source of new electricity generating capacity in the EU. This would take the EU’s cumulative installed capacity to 73,535 MW, up from 2008s cumulative capacity of 64,935 MW.

“The EWEA forecast is very reassuring, because it means that the wind power industry has so far managed to secure financing for the planned 2008 projects, something other players in the power generation sector have struggled with this year. Conventional power companies have taken a blow as electricity demand continued to decline during the year, reflecting the sharp contraction of economic activity across the world, but wind power is whirling away,” reports www.greentechfocus.com energy expert Jeroen Posma from Germany.

The industry may, however, feel the pinch in 2010. Healthy order books before the financial crisis have so far reduced the impact of the crisis on the European wind turbine manufacturers, but the EWEA expects the financial crisis to have a deeper impact in 2010, unless measures are taken rapidly to increase liquidity in the financial market. ”Although the outlook for 2009 is encouraging, the real test of the wind energy sector's ability to withstand the financial crisis will be 2010," said Christian Kjaer, EWEA Chief Executive, in a statement. It is essential that the billions of Euros provided by governments to European banks through stimulus packages reach the real economy, adds the industry group.

Inside the European Union, the emerging markets of the so-called EU-12 member states, which joined the economic block this decade, seem to be fairing better than the more established markets of the old EU-15. The EU-12 are set to install 150 MW more than in 2008, an increase of approximately 35%, while their EU-15 neighbours are expected to simply match 2008 figures.

SOURCE: FOCUS COMMUNICATION

GreenTechFocus.com is a proprietary B2B green technology website powered by Focus Communication, the B2B communications group specialized in government and strategic industries. With offices in Beijing and Paris, Focus Communication is a pioneer in launching integrated marketing communications programs to promote Western strategic sectors in the Chinese market.

Danish Wind Energy Group gets ready for China Wind Power exhibition next October

SILKEBORG -- Specialist green technology website www.greentechfocus.com reports that the Danish Wind Energy Group China (DWEGC) is preparing to take the Chinese wind energy business scene by a storm, for the fourth time this year.

The Group, a subsidiary of the Danish Wind Energy Group which unites over 100 Danish companies, will present yet another national pavilion with key subsuppliers for the wind industry. The exhibition will this year take place in Beijing on October 21-23, 2009. The DWEGC was founded in China earlier this year to offer its knowledge and services to the fast developing wind industry in China. With 21 Danish Wind Energy sub-suppliers, DWEGC is proving a strong and active organisation, promoting high standard technology, equipment, as well as, service from Denmark. The Group aims to bridge and strengthen cooperation within the Wind Energy Sector between Denmark and China.

DWEGC’s dynamism is reflected in its devoted participation in pivotal wind energy events in China. Since its foundation just a few months ago, the DWEGC has organised three Danish Pavilions; at the Shanghai International Wind Energy Exhibition and Conference in April, the Offshore Wind Power China in June, and the Wind Power Asia last July.

Denmark is widely considered the world’s Wind Power Hub and the leading global centre for the development of wind power technology. Wind power is the fastest growing energy form in Denmark, expected to supply 30 percent of the country’s electricity consumption before 2012.

SOURCE: FOCUS COMMUNICATION

RUSSIA IS FOLLOWING CHINA AND EUROPE’S STEPS IN GREEN ENERGY

MOSCOW -- Scheduled for Sept 23-24 in Moscow, the Energy Fresh Forum demonstrates Russia’s ambition to become a renewable energy reference, reports Focus Communication Moscow, the event’s media partner.

In the nation’s first-ever event dedicated to renewable energy, Russia is following the road paved by green technology front-runners, China and Europe. Potential investors and stakeholders will have the chance to examine how Russia´s huge renewable potential can be transformed from opportunity to reality.

With China and Europe´s energy security heavily relying on Russia´s ability and willingness to export its oil and gas, and the planet heating up at speed, the need to rebalance Russia´s energy basket is imperative, reports Focus Communication’s green technology website www.greentechfocus.com.

With China aiming for a 20 percent share of renewable energy by 2020 - the target set by the EU, Japan and other front runners - Russia is clearly trailing behind. Recent developments in Russia’s energy policy have demonstrated increased interest in renewable energy sources. On 8 January 2009, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin signed a document which confirmed the main trends of governmental policy in the development of renewable energy sources till year 2020: the increase of production and consumption of electrical power using renewable energy sources: in 2010 – by 1,5%, in 2015 – by 2,5%, in 2020 — by 4,5%. Not in the scale of China, but promising nevertheless.

In Putin’s words, ¨Russia can and must become a world alternative energy centre¨. Energy Fresh 2009 to be held in Moscow on 23-24 September will aim to demonstrate Russia´s innovative potential and perspectives of development of renewable energy sources, to facilitate enlarging international cooperation and help build new business contacts.

Russia is rich not only in oil, gas and coal, but also in wind, hydro, geothermal, biomass and solar energy. However, fossil fuels dominate Russia’s current energy mix. Just 3.5% of its total primary energy supply is currently based on renewable energy, of which two-thirds was hydro and one-third all other forms. Russian experts estimate that heat based on renewables amounts to about 4% of the country´s total.

With such bare exploitation of its clean energy sources, the challenges and opportunities of scaling-up Russia’s use of renewable energy are significant to say the least. ¨As the debate on climate change gathers momentum in the run up to December´s United Nations Conference COP15, Russia´s underuse of clean energy sources is paradoxically good news for investors as it means the sector is waiting to be unlocked,¨ says www.greentechfocus.com.

Representatives of the government of Russian Federation and foreign countries, leading Russian and international industrial companies, scientific and research and project designing organizations and institutes will participate in the Forum and paint a clear picture of the potential for profitable renewables projects, and the incentive to start undertake them, as they become a key element of the global energy sector. More than 200 companies, including big names such as Siemen and Alstom, have already signed up.

SOURCE: FOCUS COMMUNICATION

Focus Communication, the B2B communications group specialized in government and strategic industries, is the agency behind GreenTechFocus.com. With offices in Beijing and Paris, Focus Communication is a pioneer in launching integrated marketing communications programs to promote Western strategic sectors in the Chinese market.

Interview with Edelgard Bulmahn, Chairwoman of the Parliamentary Committee on Economics and Technology of Germany

In her recent, exclusive interview for www.greentechfocus.com, Edelgard Bulmahn, Chairwoman of the Parliamentary Committee on Economics and Technology of Germany, believes China has all it takes to succeed in creating a powerful green economy. She comments on China´s increasing clout in the renewable energy scene and Germany´s worldwide acclaimed green model.

The financial economic crisis is being used as an opportunity by many countries to redesign their economies, and stimulus packages give a good indication of the role that the green economy is destined to play in the future. Do you believe that China is on the road to create a green economy and a world leading renewable energy sector?

Yes, I think China will be successful because the country’s leadership know that they won’t be able to protect the environment or improve the quality of life without using green technologies in all areas. They are very well aware that this transformation will be a question of life or death for many Chinese companies. If a company does not undertake the required efforts to change its production processes then it won’t be able to succeed in the global market place in 10 or 15 years.

Germany made this strategic decision a long time ago; what are the main changes that will take place in Germany in the coming years?

In Germany we have been pursuing a twin track strategy for at least 10 years; the use of renewable energies on the one hand and increasing efficiency to reduce overall energy consumption on the other. On the one hand, the German government supports several long-term programs to increase the technological advancement and competitiveness of renewable energies. On the other hand, we support research in the field of energy efficiency to reduce energy consumption through new technology development in areas such as machine engineering. As a result, the energy consumption of new machinery has been drastically reduced over the last 10 to 15 years. The combination of these two elements is crucial, should you rely on only one track I’m convinced that you would not succeed. We have to assume this twin strategy.

While Germany has been the world’s leading exporter for seven years now; we are also the champion in export of green technologies. In 2006, Germany’s share of world trade of environmental goods was 60%. As a former Minister for Education and Research I think that it is especially important that we are performing so well in the export of solar cells and wind turbines, which are based on technologies that we have developed

very successfully since the middle of the 1990s. Also, I think that Germany is doing so well in this field because we do not only offer single technologies but also complete system solutions. We play an important role in exporting the machinery for the whole supply chain in these industries, because German companies have great expertise in designing and constructing efficient factories with very low energy consumption: each part of the production process is planned and implemented with the goal to reduce energy consumption.

When we look at the complementarities between green technology and Germany and the ambitions of China, are there shared strategic objectives in your opinion?

Yes, there are, although the hierarchy of objectives might be different. For example: In China rural regions have still a very low standard of living and quality of life contrast with regions that are highly developed and have a highly qualified workforce. This is one difference in comparison with Germany. We have a different political system, this is another one. Germany could be an example in setting up the right political framework and instruments. When I discuss these topics with Chinese politicians I get the impression they try very hard to set up a hierarchy of values which supports this transformation. Just to talk about it is not enough, you need to act.

Undoubtedly, other countries are studying how Germany developed its renewable energy sector and are eager to emulate your success and catch up. How can Germany stay ahead of the competition?

Germany has set the goal for 2020 to achieve a reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases by 40%, generate 30% of electricity from renewable sources, and double energy efficiency in comparison with 1990 levels. Also, we want to double the combined heat and power share to 25% of electricity generated by 2020. Germany has a very sophisticated and highly developed industrial sector and if we do not set up these goals then our green technology development may suffer.

In the past six months, the global discussion of climate change has increasingly become a bilateral discussion between the US and China. Is Germany being left behind in the debate on climate change?

I wouldn’t say Germany is left behind. We are not the world leading country in terms of political power; the US is the leading political power in our world and China is an increasingly important political power. Nevertheless, I don’t see the Sino-US talks as a threat. I believe that President Obama really wants to change the policy of his predecessor by pushing the transformation of the economy of his country. Of course, Chinese policy plays a very important role as well. When I went to China in the middle of the 1990s there was much less awareness of the importance of environmental policy or the transformation of industry, but there is a growing awareness and change has taken place over the past years.

What do you think should be on the top of Germany’s agenda in this context?

I think that Germany can and should be a leap market for green technologies and by doing this we do not only offer solutions but we set an example, and that is the role Germany should play.

SOURCE: FOCUS COMMUNICATION