Offshore Wind China 2011 reflected the general trend of a growing domestic and international interest for offshore wind power in China. Not only had the exhibition area doubled since 2010, but it also attracted more than 800 participants and 135 speakers. The Norwegian pavilion included six Norwegian companies: Det Norske Veritas (DNV), Jotun, WindSea, Sway, Vissim and Norsetek.
Match-making and potential partnerships
The exhibition offered the Norwegian companies an opportunity to present their services and technologies to the major players of the offshore wind industry. Jotun, DNV and Sway came for the second time to show their dedication for the Chinese wind power market. In addition several match-making meetings were held where a number of Norwegian companies met with the Chinese co-organizing companies Sinovel and Vestas. The two companies are the leading offshore wind turbine manufacturers in China.
Sharing competence and ambitions
Offshore Wind China 2011 also included a simultaneous conference where representatives of the Norwegian companies participated as speakers. Paul Arne Kastmann, Business Development Manager from the Norwegian Consulate General in Guangzhou spoke on the topic entitled “Norway – China’s gateway to global market shares in offshore wind”, thereby highlighting the ambitions of Norway to take part in the country’s development of offshore wind power.
A persistent engagement
Norway and Norwegian companies’ commitment to the current development of offshore wind in China has been a continued priority area during the last couple of years. In 2010 Norwegian Deputy Minister Robin Kåss headed the Norwegian delegation at Offshore Wind China, and the co-operation in the field of wind power has since been strengthened by delegation visits from Chinese companies to Norway. Moreover, seminars and workshops on offshore wind power have been carried out in China with the support and presence of Norwegian interests. The Consulate General in Guangzhou is currently working to prepare a Norwegian presence at China Wind Power in Beijing in October.