Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG) is set to welcome more than 250 delegates from around the world to its international trade reception, which will feature global renewable energy opportunities, on the eve of All-Energy (Tuesday, May 17).

AREG members are also to be given an overview of the fast-growing business prospects in Italy, the USA and Iberia ahead of the international trade reception at the city’s Maritime Museum. The seminar will be chaired by AREG chairman Jeremy Cresswell and feature a distinguished panel of speakers from UK Trade & Investment.

Morag McCorkindale, chief operating officer of AREG, said: “Businesses across Aberdeen City and Shire have the knowledge, skills and expertise necessary to take advantage of the opportunities arising around the world. They also have the expertise in innovation which this new industry needs. The USA, Italy and Iberia are key emerging markets and it is our intention to bring these very real prospects to the attention of our membership.

“AREG’s international trade reception is also a popular and extremely useful platform for members to network informally with overseas delegates. It is a great opportunity to make international alliances and create new business opportunities on the eve of the UK’s biggest renewable energy trade conference and exhibition.”

Aberdeen Lord Provost Peter Stephen will officially welcome guests to the reception. Organised in partnership with Scottish Development International and Wood Group, business leaders from key international renewable energy regions are expected to attend.

AREG, which has supported the All-Energy trade exhibition and conference throughout its 11-year history, is set to have its largest ever presence at this year’s event with over 50 companies and organisations from across Aberdeen City and Shire showcasing their diverse range of energy skills and technology on AREG’s central pavilion.

AREG will also play a part in the vibrant conference programme and will host a special feature session on supply chain opportunities. The seminar entitled ‘Offshore Wind – Industrialising the sector: The continuing call to the UK offshore supply chain’ will be chaired by Vattenfall Wind Power’s senior communications advisor David Roger on the Wednesday afternoon. Morag McCorkindale and AREG’s renewables champion, Iain Todd will be joined by representatives of Vattenfall and Technip in giving delegates an overview of recent developments regarding the Group’s flagship European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre project.

In addition, Mr Todd will be participating in conference sessions about offshore wind technology and renewable energy transport. He will also be chairing the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce business breakfast prior to the opening of All-Energy on Wednesday (May 18). The panel of expert industry speakers is to include Adrian Gillespie, senior director of energy and low carbon technologies at Scottish Enterprise; Alan McLeay, renewables engineering director at Subsea 7, and Richard Beamish, chief executive of Asset Skills.

AREG is an innovative private-public partnership which is actively working to position Aberdeen City and Shire as a leader in sustainable energy. The breadth of its 170-strong membership, which spans many renewable energy sectors, is reflected in the companies exhibiting in its pavilion at All-Energy. They include global service companies, technology, device and project developers, and innovative solution providers from the oil and gas supply chain.

Technologies represented will include wind, wave, tidal, biomass and related disciplines. Aberdeen City and Shire’s excellent capability in renewable energy research will also be promoted by the University of Aberdeen and the Robert Gordon University which are exhibiting in the Aberdeen City and Shire pavilion.