MEDIA RELEASE PR40212
Renewable Energy International Exhibition: German Market Continues to Grow in 2010
BERLIN and YOKOHAMA, Japan, June 29 / PRNewswire-AsiaNet / --
Renewable energy generation in Germany continues to grow in
2010. Accounting for a total of 16.1 percent of all energy production, the
share of renewable energies is increasing, driven by the world's largest
photovoltaic (PV) market as well as advances in offshore wind. At the same
time, this increase is contributing to advancements in energy storage
technology. Germany Trade & Invest will have representatives on hand at this
year's Renewable Energy International Exhibition from June 30 - July 2 in
Yokohama, Japan, to discuss business opportunities in Germany's thriving
renewable energies and resources industry.
Germany's photovoltaic market is a long-standing driver of the
global renewable energy market. Germany accounted for more than half of all
new installations worldwide in 2009, amounting to 3.8 GWp. Germany is the
world's largest PV market and an attractive investment location for
businesses. To meet this demand, several companies have recently announced or
completed new investments in Germany's photovoltaic industry. These include
major investments by industry heavyweights First Solar, SolarWorld, Avancis
and Juwi.
Offshore Wind and Energy Storage
The wind industry also continues to thrive. The offshore
segment offers an especially high level of potential. Germany's first
deep-water offshore wind farm, alpha ventus, began feeding electricity into
the grid this year, marking the first completed offshore park in a growing
number of those set to leave the drawing board. Currently, two large-scale
projects in the North and Baltic Seas are under construction. The EEG boosts
this segment with guaranteed feed-in tariff rates for at least 20 years and
the requirement for transmission system operators to provide offshore grid
connections. In April, Germany - the world's top location for the wind
industry - received an added boost by General Electric (GE). The company
announced its comprehensive European offshore strategy including a new
engineering center in Hamburg as part of its EUR 105 million investment in
Germany.
Germany's share of renewable energies is expected to grow, as
the country has committed itself to supplying 30 percent of its electricity
with renewable sources by 2020 and 50 percent by 2030. The large and growing
share of renewable energies creates demand for energy storage options, such
as advanced battery, hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in conjunction with
smart meters and grids. Germany has developed the most extensive framework
for the energy storage and fuel cell industry in the world, which includes
coordinated support for R&D and pilot programs, an export-oriented market and
established industry expertise.
Advantages in Germany
Manufacturers in Germany not only have access to a large and
growing market, they also benefit from a significant competitive advantage
through a local brand presence and reputation for high quality products.
Germany's renewable energy industry also benefits from the highest density of
R&D institutes in the industry. Research on energy technology is currently
supported with EUR 2.2 billion in federal funding for the period 2008 to
2011. At the same time, the country boasts a well established industrial
infrastructure, large equipment supplier base, and qualified and experienced
workforce.
The Renewable Energy 2010 International Exhibition will be
held from June 30 - July 2, 2010, in Yokohama, Japan. Representatives from
Germany Trade & Invest will be at the German Pavilion in booth R-B601 to
discuss how businesses can profit from Germany's renewable energies and
resources industry.
Germany Trade & Invest is the foreign trade and inward
investment promotion agency of the Federal Republic of Germany. The
organization advises foreign companies looking to expand their business
activities in the German market. It provides information on foreign trade to
German companies that seek to enter foreign markets.
Germany Trade & Invest
Eva Henkel
Email: eva.henkel@gtai.com
T: +49(0)30-200099-173
F: +49(0)30-200099-111
SOURCE: Germany Trade and Invest
NEWS 
