WindEnergy Hamburg: A strong signal for global energy security

Massive expansion of wind energy as the key to climate protection and resilience: this is the central theme of WindEnergy Hamburg, which begins today. The world’s leading trade fair for the onshore and offshore wind industry brings together top players from business, politics and institutions to set the course for dynamic growth in the sector. After all, global energy security can only be guaranteed through close cooperation at all levels.

At a high-profile press conference and the subsequent official opening session, panellists addressed the industry’s key issues, which will also shape the agenda for the next four days of the fair. Hamburg’s Lord Mayor, Dr Peter Tschentscher, paid tribute to the importance of this leading international trade fair in a message of welcome. In their welcoming remarks, the two CEOs of Hamburg Messe und Congress (HMC), Heiko M. Stutzinger and Uwe Fischer, emphasised the sector’s pivotal role in the success of the energy transition.

Around 43,000 participants from 100 nations are expected at the Hamburg exhibition centres by Friday, with more than 1,600 exhibiting companies set to showcase their innovative products and services. Claus Ulrich Selbach, Vice President of Exhibitions Maritime & Energy at Hamburg Messe und Congress, says: “The energy crisis has noticeably intensified this year and taken on a new dynamic – making it all the more important to take decisive action now. Generating more energy from wind means greater independence from imported fossil fuels and reduces carbon emissions. WindEnergy Hamburg brings the key players together and provides the industry with crucial impetus.”

Independence, competitiveness, growth

This aspiration was confirmed by Dr Dennis Rendschmidt, Managing Director at VDMA Power Systems, Europe’s leading association of machinery and plant manufacturers: “WindEnergy Hamburg is the world’s most important platform for the wind industry and a key meeting place for companies, policymakers and institutions across the entire supply chain. At a time when the expansion of renewable energies must continue to gather pace, the trade fair provides important impetus for investment-friendly framework conditions, innovation and international cooperation.” For Bärbel Heidebroek, President of the German Wind Energy Association (BWE), the trade fair comes at exactly the right time: “WindEnergy Hamburg is one of the world’s most important meeting places for the wind industry and, at a crucial stage for the sector, brings together companies, political decision-makers and experts from all over the world. As the German Wind Energy Association, we are committed to helping shape reliable framework conditions for the further expansion of wind energy and to ensuring that wind energy remains a driving force for a secure, competitive and sustainable energy system. The trade fair offers an important opportunity to exchange ideas, build partnerships and translate shared goals into concrete progress.”

Tinne Van der Straeten, CEO of WindEurope, also called for political support: “We are coming to Hamburg with a clear message: wind energy delivers results for Europe. We are well on track to install 24 gigawatts this year – enough to supply 20 million households with electricity and avoid importing fossil fuels from 64 LNG tankers. This is precisely the momentum that Europe needs for both energy security and competitiveness. But this momentum will not continue of its own accord. Governments must remove grid bottlenecks, drive forward electrification and set us coordinated auction volumes as well as the 2040 target. We need this in order to continue investing,” said Belgium’s former Minister for Energy.

Asia and Europe as key regions

“The transition to a clean, secure and affordable energy system begins with wind energy,” explained Ben Backwell, CEO of the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), referring to the current global challenges facing the wind industry. “In times of great uncertainty, governments, businesses and households are increasingly turning to wind energy as the most reliable and cost-effective solution for ensuring economic growth and energy security.” Backwell added: “WindEnergy Hamburg is an impressive showcase for the dynamic growth and innovative strength of the global wind industry. GWEC is proud to once again host the Global Markets Theatre and bring together policymakers, CEOs and industry experts to exchange perspectives on the future of wind energy worldwide.”

Lee Chuan Teck, Chairman of Enterprise Singapore, shared his expertise on cooperation between the growth regions of Asia-Pacific and Europe. The government agencies Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) are key partners of WindEnergy Asia-Pacific powered by RECHARGE, which will take place in Singapore from 25 to 27 May 2027. “This successful collaboration reflects the dynamism and significance of Asia’s wind energy market. It was the right decision for us at Hamburg Messe und Congress to take this step,” says Claus Ulrich Selbach.

A global player with ambitious plans

At the opening conference, senior executives from leading global players in the wind industry – including Vestas, Siemens Gamesa, EDP, ENERTRAG, Iberdrola, Ørsted, Flender and Vattenfall – discussed the shared goal of implementing the energy transition on a large scale worldwide. The GWEC was prominently represented by its Chairman, Michael Hannibal (Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners), and its Vice-Chairman, Girish Tanti (Suzlon Group). Representing Wind Europe were the new Chairman, Rasmus Errboe (Ørsted), and his predecessor, Henrik Andersen (Vestas). Rajesh Kulhari, Joint Secretary at the Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, and Dr Zafer Demircan, Deputy Minister for Energy and Natural Resources of Turkey, reported on their countries’ ambitious targets. Beatriz Yordi, Director for Energy Security and International Relations at the European Commission, provided the European perspective. The event concluded with a statement by Stefan Rouenhoff, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. He emphasised Germany’s commitment to Europe’s wind sector – and then officially opened WindEnergy Hamburg 2026.

The high-profile conference programme at the opening provided a foretaste of the extensive supporting programme. In total, more than 300 leading speakers will be speaking, presenting and discussing on the six open stages. However, the focus will be on personal contacts at the exhibition stands and beyond. “Knowledge transfer and the exchange of information form a key part of WindEnergy Hamburg. That is why we have provided a particularly large number of networking opportunities,” says Andreas Arnheim, Director of WindEnergy Hamburg and WindEnergy Asia-Pacific powered by RECHARGE. All participants can look forward to four informative and eventful days at the exhibition.