Mayors and senior officials from 12 of the world’s leading energy cities will arrive in Aberdeen for the World Energy Cities Partnership (WECP) annual general meeting (AGM) and Offshore Europe.
Established in 1995, the WECP connects 19 of the world’s leading energy capitals. It serves to facilitate business-to-business interaction, partnerships in energy-related activities and the sharing of industry knowledge and experience, while providing a worldwide network of industry support services and resources.
A key theme of this year’s AGM conference will be “From Alternative to Mainstream – Towards a 21st Century Energy Mix”. Renewable energy is no longer seen as an alternative or future energy; it has become a mainstream energy source and this topic will be a focal point throughout the four days.
The conference will also highlight Aberdeen’s status as a global business centre and the key roles its oil, gas and energy chain is playing in energy transition towards a lower carbon energy system.
Conference sessions, seminars, and panel events will give participants access to industry experts and innovators, the opportunity to benefit from their expertise and to share knowledge on current and future developments while also facilitating business-to-business interaction, industry visits and networking opportunities.
The Lord Provost of Aberdeen Barney Crockett, Vice-President of WECP, said: “We are hosting the World Energy Cities Partnership’s AGM in what is a very exciting time in the life of Aberdeen.
“Aberdeen is transforming and the WECP AGM gives us the opportunity to further enhance the city’s reputation as a global energy hub and world class business location while attracting further investment.
“As the world looks to energy transition towards a lower carbon energy system Aberdeen City Region is home to the £180million Oil and Gas Technology Centre and the world’s first floating wind farm. The city is also a centre of excellence for hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, with the largest fleet of hydrogen buses in Europe.
“The WECP will showcase what Aberdeen has to offer not only in terms of it being a city of competitive industries in energy and renewables, but in food and drink, research and education and a diverse cultural offering.”
Attendees at the WECP AGM include the mayor and senior officials from: Atyrau, Kazakhstan; Barranquilla, Colombia; Cape Town, South Africa; Dammam, Saudi Arabia; Dongying, China; Esbjerg, Denmark; Halifax, Canada; Houston, USA; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Perth, Australia; St John’s, Canada; Stavanger, Norway.
The Lord Provost will seek to become President of the WECP when the current President Mayor Mike Savage of Halifax Regional Municipality (Canada) steps down at the AGM.
A delegation from City of Kobe (Japan) will also attend as it is set to become a member of the WECP. Observers from Ulsan, South Korea; Pemba, Mozambique; Asaba, Nigeria, Jersey, Channel Islands will also attend.
The WECP AGM will coincide with the city hosting Offshore Europe – the first conference to be held at TECA (The Event Complex Aberdeen) including P&J Live, which at a cost of £333million will be the envy of cities worldwide.
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