China Wind Power forum: Growing global influence

As one of the top global events in the industry, the China Wind Power Conference & Exhibition held this year from Nov 15 to 17 in Beijing will facilitate in-depth discussions on hot topics and showcase the latest development in wind power products and technologies, said organizers.

Hosted by several respected industry associations, the event is an opportunity for government officials, experts, manufacturers and investors to exchange ideas and build partnerships for the healthy development of the wind power industry.

Reflecting China's increasing international influence in the industry, the first session in 2008 was held concurrently with the Global Wind Power Conference.

The event attracted more than 12,000 professionals from around the world and nearly 249 companies exhibiting advanced products and technologies in a 16,000-square-meter area.

Also in the exhibit hall were more than 200 component suppliers covering the whole supply chain from turbines and blades to bearings, yawing and monitoring systems.

Highlights of the event included CEO and intercontinental forums. World-leading experts and corporate executives from Gold Wind, Sinovel, China Composite Group and Nordex were invited to share their thoughts on the future development of the world wind power industry.

The following year, the event hosted about 25,000 visitors for exhibit covering 28,000 square meters, including 416 companies from more than 30 countries and regions.

In addition to products, technical consultation and financing services were also provided.

Major topics for discussion at the conference included new international cooperation methods, wind turbine manufacturing, development of the component supply chain and offshore wind power.

In 2010, the event now described by industry insiders as an event that "cannot afford to be missed" again attracted an increasing number of exhibitors and conference attendees.

More than 500 companies displayed their newest products and technologies in some 50,000 square meters of exhibition area. Nearly half were from overseas, including firms from Denmark, India, France and Italy among the 18 countries represented.

Last year's event continued to expand in size and scale, according to organizers.

It drew about 370 Chinese enterprises and 248 overseas companies from Belgium, South Korea, Ireland, Austria and 16 other countries in an exhibition hall of 52,000 square meters.

Statistics from the organizers show that over 93 percent of exhibitors were satisfied with the services and 90 percent expressed their intent to attend the following year.

The number also indicated that most respondents attended the event to learn about new products and technologies as well as collect the industry information. Wind turbines and electronic control systems were of greatest interest.

With the theme of "new opportunities and challenges: from quantity to quality", China Wind Power is approaching its fifth anniversary this year.

Its host organizations, the most ever, include the Chinese Wind Energy Association, the Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association, the China National Renewable Energy Center, the Global Wind Energy Council, and the China Center of Information Industry Development.

In addition to exhibits, the event offers 10 expert talks and 18 forums attended by more influential academics and executives from the world's top companies than ever before.