The theme of the event was ‘delivering a clean economy for all Europeans.’ This meant the focus was placed heavily on the energy transition away from fossil fuels to wind energy. Wind energy companies and leading industry figures from all over the world were present to discuss technologies, innovations, and business models for making wind energy more reliable and cost effective.
We’ll be looking at how to maintain people’s continued support for the expansion of wind and showing how wind benefits local communities.
What key trends were in the spotlight?
For wind energy to become the leading source of electricity in Europe, it must be seen as a viable and lucrative option. And that’s exactly what the event was about. Companies explained the benefits of trends shaping the modern wind industry, including sector coupling, expanding the installed capacity of turbines in Europe, and delivering more efficient operation and maintenance models, such as performance-based contracts.
The Thought Leaders Forum was a new feature introduced this year. Industry leaders, startups, and policy makers were given the opportunity to come together for discussions, lectures, and panels. Other side events included Women in Wind and a skills workshop that focused on filling the skills gap in the sector.
This year’s theme fitted perfectly with what SKF is aiming to help companies achieve. SKF’s Raimond Breuker presented on how adopting a circular economic model using remanufacturing enables companies to control costs, boost turbine reliability, and reduce environmental impact. He also took part in a discussion based on his presentation.
How did the event compare to previous years?
The Bilbao 2019 edition was a resounding success – highlighting the continuous growth of the wind energy sector. The exhibition was fully booked, which contrasts with the general decline in trade fair participation. And WindEurope events show no sign of slowing down, with many events planned for the coming years. Which ones will you be attending?
