Late May features very prominently in the renewables calendar and is a particularly exciting time for anyone with an interest in the future of our energy industry.
Indeed, the All-Energy show is among Europe’s top energy events and is being staged this year from May 18-19 at the Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre. The largest renewables exhibition in the UK saw a record attendance of more than 7,000 visitors in 2010, and is expected to set a new record this year too.
It is a key forum for industry collaboration as well as deal-making, knowledge transfer and promoting innovation.
The fact that the show is celebrating its 11th year is a tribute to local foresight and those who rose to the opportunity and developed the event.
In fact, All-Energy pioneered the interface between offshore oil & gas and Europe’s upcoming maritime renewables sector.
When AREG was established more than 10 years ago, its vision was to make Aberdeen city and shire as world famous for renewables as it already is for oil and gas.
This ambition is fast becoming a reality, with the region increasingly being recognised as a vital driver for developing not just Scotland’s renewable energy sector, but that of the UK and Europe too.
In fact, Aberdeen city and shire is rapidly emerging as a centre of world-class excellence for maritime energy: wind, wave and tidal and not forgetting oil & gas too.
Internationally renowned as Europe’s energy capital, Aberdeen and shire is home to an offshore oil and gas supply chain unrivalled in the eastern hemisphere.
Indeed, it possesses the greatest concentration of offshore energy expertise, experience, skills and technology anywhere in the world with the exception of Houston.
This breadth and depth of expertise is crucial to the progression of maritime renewables, particularly offshore wind, wave and tidal.
Aberdeen city and shire is capitalising on this upstream supply chain and is working to encourage the sector to apply oil & gas-inspired technologies, skills and project management solutions across the renewables spectrum.
Bit by bit, oil service companies are successfully establishing themselves in a new market, which is set to be worth billions of pounds over the next decade.
North-east Scotland’s position on the global sustainable energy map is further enhanced by the fact that AREG and its members are already active across the globe, taking advantage of the region’s already high standing within global energy networks.
To achieve this position it was essential that our oil & gas supply chain should be made aware of the developing opportunities and be well placed to exploit them.
This has been a large part of AREG’s mission over the last 10 years.
Indeed, AREG has significantly increased participation in the renewable supply chain, with its membership soaring by 30% over the last year to 170.
We continue determinedly with our mission to persuade the renewables industry to build bridges with its oil & gas counterpart and vice-versa; as well as influence industry and government bodies through a number of initiatives.
AREG works closely with the Scottish European Green Energy Centre (SEGEC), North Scotland Industries Group (NSIG) and East Coast Renewables, as well as with the local economic development bodies Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Future (ACESF) and Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce.
Among other AREG initiatives are its active and inclusive member events, international trade programmes, flagship projects and its involvement in helping to promote and fuel the further development of All-Energy.
This year, AREG, with partners Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire councils, will have its biggest presence at All-Energy, with more than 50 companies and organisations showcasing their capabilities on our central pavilion.
On the eve of All-Energy, AREG will welcome overseas delegates to its international trade reception, held at Aberdeen’s Maritime Museum in partnership with Scottish Development International and Wood Group.
We are also participating in the extensive conference programme and will host a special feature session on supply chain opportunities.
On behalf of the AREG membership, I welcome all of you visiting this year’s All-Energy exhibition and conference – from first-timers to seasoned participants.
The North Sea oil & gas supply chain will be prominent at the event, showcasing a range of thoroughly relevant new technologies, enabling services and assets.
I feel confident in assuring delegates that they will find All-Energy 2011 exciting and rewarding, and I hope to see as many of you as possible in Aberdeen again in May 2012.
Morag McCorkindale is chief operating officer at Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG)
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