Gallery: EWEA 2015 event in Paris

FRANCE: The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) held its annual conference and exhibition in Paris between 17 and 20 November.

by Staff 19 November 2015

  • EWEA 2015 annual conference took place in Paris, France

    EWEA 2015 annual conference took place in Paris, France

  • EC vice president for Energy Union Maros Sefcovic addressed delegates before presenting Energy Union update

    EC vice president for Energy Union Maros Sefcovic addressed delegates before presenting Energy Union update

  • Vestas showed its blade retrofit lightning strip and serrated trailing edge, which reduces noise

    Vestas showed its blade retrofit lightning strip and serrated trailing edge, which reduces noise

  • Despite the attacks in Paris only four days before the event, the majority of exhibitors turned up

    Despite the attacks in Paris only four days before the event, the majority of exhibitors turned up

  • Enercon was one of the companies that pulled out

    Enercon was one of the companies that pulled out

  • Exhibitor Chinese OEM Envision is pushing into Europe

    Exhibitor Chinese OEM Envision is pushing into Europe

  • Gamesa celebrated the arrival of its 3.3MW turbine

    Gamesa celebrated the arrival of its 3.3MW turbine

  • The 6MW Haliade was displayed prominently on GE's stand, after taking over Alstom's wind business

    The 6MW Haliade was displayed prominently on GE's stand, after taking over Alstom's wind business

  • Drivetrain manufacturer Switch livened up its stand with break dancers

    Drivetrain manufacturer Switch livened up its stand with break dancers

  • There were over 200 poster presentations detailing technical research and studies

    There were over 200 poster presentations detailing technical research and studies

  • Discussions were held, business was done

    Discussions were held, business was done

  • Debates were held during lunchtime

    Debates were held during lunchtime

  • Amsterdam here we come. Voters chose it as the location for EWEA2017, beating Brussels

    Amsterdam here we come. Voters chose it as the location for EWEA2017, beating Brussels

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More than 600 exhibitors and 1,000s of delegates travelled to Paris for the EWEA annual event. The conference went ahead despite the tragic events that rocked the French capital just days earlier. 

EWEA chairman Markus Tacke opened the event, introducing four high-profile speakers: European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic, French energy minister Segolene Royale, German energy minister Rainer Baake and Belgian energy minister Marie-Christine Marghem.

The COP21 climate talks, taking place in the city at the end of November, face an "unprecedented challenge", Sefcovic said.

"If you look at the possible source of renewable energy, it's clear the role of wind is strategic," he added.

Only a month after the launch of the G126-2.5MW low-wind turbine, Gamesa launched its 3.3MW machine for IEC class IIA sites at EWEA 2015. It is the Spanish manufacturer's first turbine in the 3MW range. GE also introduced two 3.4MW turbines for Europe, and Siemens publicly signed a contract with vessel supplier Deugro Danmark to build two roll-on roll-off vessels to transfer compenents between factory sites without using cranes.

The EWEA stand was giving visitors the chance to vote on where the 2017 annual event should be held, with a choice between Brussels, Belgium and Amsterdam, Netherlands. The winner was Amsterdam, EWEA announced.