Conference Watch: European Future Energy Forum

European Future Energy Forum in Bilbao, Spain sees ‘plethora of opportunities’

With 3,691 international business leaders, investors, policy decision makers and entrepreneurs from 45 countries worldwide gathering at the first European Future Energy Forum in Bilbao this month, the event has been seen as a great success. 

Bilbao, Spain, 22^nd June 2009: Following in the footsteps of its parent event World Future Energy Summit, this new European spin-off has shown that there is a large demand for high-level debate surrounding future energy solutions and the organisers are keen to find partners in establishing this event as a regular opportunity to review the European market.

Bianca Jagger, Chair of the World Future Council, spoke in the opening ceremony of the ‘plethora of opportunities’ within the renewable energy market; whilst discussions throughout the 3-day conference also addressed solutions for greater energy efficiency including green building and clean transport solutions.

Dr Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar (Abu Dhabi’s multifaceted initiative dedicated to future energy solutions) gave an inspiring speech outlining how Abu Dhabi is transforming from a country that imports knowledge to one that exports it, and from a hydrocarbon producer to fully capitalising on its energy expertise and proactively contributing to the global renewable energy agenda. 

“In the last two years, the World Future Energy Summit has driven collaboration and dialogue around renewable energy policy, investment and innovation”, said Dr. Al Jaber. “Based on our experience and success, we have brought this platform to Bilbao, where the renewable energy industry has experienced tremendous growth in recent years, as the first of many opportunities to share knowledge, advance solutions and explore partnerships.”

In addition to the 10 top-tier keynote sessions, there were also a large number of more interactive workshops and round table sessions aimed at encouraging new business relationships to be formed and more detailed discussion on the practicalities and implementation of striving towards ambitious EU targets. This format proved to be highly successful as feedback showed networking at the forum to be ‘immense’.

Over 1,000 visitors also attended the spectacular official welcome reception hosted by EVE on the first night.

The organisers are expecting to announce dates and venue for the next European Future Energy Forum shortly. For more information see www.EuropeanFutureEnergyForum.com

ABOUT THE EUROPEAN FUTURE ENERGY FORUM

The European Future Energy Forum (EFEF) was born out of the success of the World Future Energy Summit which held its inaugural event on 21-23 January 2008 in Abu Dhabi under the patronage of H.H. General Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Hosted by Masdar, the World Future Energy Summit takes places at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre each year in January, with forums such as the European Future Energy Forum offering a more in-depth focus on specific world markets, policy and technical developments.

The first EFEF took place at the Bilbao Exhibition Centre, 9-11 June and was Europe’s largest exchange of knowledge focusing on the issues, demands and future energy solutions.  Its content covered: