UK Trade & Investment wins bid to host the next European Future Energy Forum
Following the success of the first European Future Energy Forum in Bilbao in June 2009, the organisers are pleased to announce that a memorandum of understanding has now been signed with UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) to bring EFEF2010 to ExCeL London, 19-21 October 2010 despite fierce competition from other venues within Europe.
Continuing in the footsteps of its parent event the World Future Energy Summit held annually at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), this European spin-off has shown that there is a large demand for high-level debate surrounding future energy solutions and EFEF2010 will build on the support already shown by UK leaders in debating the many issues and opportunities that exist within this growing market.
With previous Future Energy event speakers including HRH The Prince of Wales, HRH the Duke of York, Former PM Tony Blair, Lord Foster, Lord Browne, Lady Judge and Jonathan Porritt CBE, we are confident of the level of support and debate that will be achieved by bringing the European Future Energy Forum to London next year’ says Richard Hease, Chairman of organiser’s Turret Middle East.
The UK government has set ambitious targets and is set to make major strides in decreasing its global carbon footprint. By bringing EFEF2010 to the UK we will create a vibrant environment where high-level debate can take place as well as knowledge exchanging workshops, small round table discussions and international networking and business meetings.’ He adds.
The European Future Energy Forum is an initiative developed with Masdar (Abu Dhabi’s multi-faceted, multi-billion dollar investment in the development and commercialisation of innovative technologies in renewable, alternative and sustainable energies), who have already invested heavily in the European renewables market including their commitment to the London Array Offshore Wind Project.
In the last two years, the World Future Energy Summit has driven collaboration and dialogue around renewable energy policy, investment and innovation”, said Dr Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar. “We now look forward to building on this platform in the UK in October 2010, where we will take the opportunity to share knowledge, advance solutions and explore partnerships within a European market.”
Minister for Trade, Investment and Small Business, Lord Davies said:
In exactly one year from now, UK Trade & Investment will stage the second European Energy Forum in London. This is a huge coup not only for London but for the UK, the world’s second largest investment location for renewable energy firms.
The Forum offers a fantastic opportunity to showcase the UK’s low carbon excellence and to promote the UK as the destination of choice for low carbon trade and investment.”
Commenting on the decision to stage the event at ExCeL London, Simon Horgan, Group CEO of ADNEC, the owners of ExCeL London said, “ADNEC is committed to providing a world-class network of venues to the global events industry. The relocation of the European Future Energy Forum to ExCeL London shows the benefits of this strategy; this is good news for London and good news for Abu Dhabi.”
David Pegler, MD, ExCeL London: “We are extremely proud to have won the contract to host the European Energy Forum. ExCeL London is committed to tackling the challenges of sustainable development and operating as a sustainable business, so as thought leaders in our industry and having hosted the first carbon neutral exhibition last month, we are delighted to be hosting such a prestigious event. Our partnership with our owners, ADNEC, means that working together we can provide international events a network of world class venues which showcase best practice for the conference & events industry. With the opening of the International Convention Centre in May 2010, ExCeL will be able to offer a seated auditorium for up to 5,000 delegates and further conference facilities.”
For more information see www.EuropeanFutureEnergyForum.com
