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Melbourne has been chosen to host the first APAC Offshore Wind and Green Hydrogen Summit 2023, the first of its kind in the Asia Pacific area. The event will bring together governments with offshore wind ambitions, global offshore wind industry leaders, and the whole wind value chain to collaboratively address the objective of accelerating the uptake of offshore wind and green hydrogen in the area.
The three-day public summit and exhibition at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in August 2023 will provide extensive programming and participation.
More than 1,000 attendees are expected, including representatives from important global renewable energy organisations, Asia Pacific governments, and worldwide stakeholders such as the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the World Bank Group (WBG), and the Global Offshore Wind Alliance (GOWA).
Key decision-makers from countries throughout the world, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Columbia, Brazil, and others, will be present at the World Bank Group. During the event, GOWA will also organise a high-level roundtable with APAC members, with a focus on boosting Offshore Wind and Green Hydrogen collaboration in the area.
The successful bid, led by the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) and involving the Victorian Government’s Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Action (DEECA) and Global Victoria, will provide an opportunity to showcase Victoria’s reputation as a leader in the energy and resources sector, as well as the Victorian Government’s commitment to transitioning to a clean energy future.
According to Steve Dimopoulos, Minister for Tourism, Sport, and Major Events, “The summit will bring international visitors to Melbourne and provide an opportunity to learn and share ideas about important energy issues for our region.”
“We continue to invest in business events because they boost visitation, support local jobs and put Melbourne on the global stage as a city for knowledge and innovation.”
The sector is bursting with promise from the Offshore Wind Feasibility Licence that is presently open for the Gippsland region, and the Victorian Government has really led the way in generating interest from developers, component manufacturers, and the larger renewables value chain. Stewart Mullin, GWEC COO.
According to MCB Chief Executive Officer Julia Swanson, securing this event underscores the importance of corporate events in supporting Victoria’s commitment to sustainability. The MCB Sustainability Strategy aggressively pursues the acquisition of business events that are linked with Victorian Government aims.
“We are thrilled to have secured this high-profile business event for Melbourne, which will provide a unique platform to advance the uptake of offshore wind and green hydrogen in the Asia Pacific region, while creating a forum for the supply chain to build a business network and showcase Victoria’s reputation as a leader in the energy and resources sector.”
Victoria was one of the first jurisdictions in the world to enact a net-zero emissions target by 2050, and the state is decarbonizing at the fastest rate of any major jurisdiction in Australia. The Victorian Government has set aggressive, but feasible, aims to cut the state’s greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels by 28-33% by 2025 and 45-50% by 2030 under the Climate Change Strategy.
The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) organises the APAC Offshore Wind and Green Hydrogen Summit 2023, an international association and event organiser that represents more than 90% of global installed wind power capacity, including leading turbine manufacturers, developers, suppliers, and service providers.
Stewart Mullin, GWEC COO, said: “There is so much momentum in the offshore wind and green hydrogen space in APAC and Australia has shown a great commitment to drive the industry in the region. When we were looking for the best place to hold our inaugural conference Victoria won hands down.
“The industry is buzzing with potential from the Offshore Wind Feasibility Licence that is currently open for the Gippsland region and the Victorian Government has really led the way in attracting interest from developers, component manufacturers and the greater renewables value chain. Add the fact that Melbourne is accessible, friendly and a great place to do business ensured that Melbourne was overwhelmingly our preferred venue”.
