Melbourne has secured the hosting rights for the inaugural Asia Pacific (APAC) Offshore Wind and Green Hydrogen Summit 2023, the first of its kind to be held in the region.
More than 1,000 delegates are expected to attend, including key global renewable energies bodies, Asia Pacific Governments, and global stakeholders such as the International Renewable Energy Agency, the World Bank Group (WBG), and Global Offshore Wind Alliance (GOWA).
The WBG will bring key decision-makers from governments around the world, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Columbia, Brazil and others. GOWA will also host a high-level roundtable featuring APAC members during the event, with a focus on strengthening Offshore Wind and Green Hydrogen collaboration in the region.
The three-day summit and exhibition is open to the public, and will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in August 2023.
The successful bid was led by the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB), with active involvement from the Victorian Government Department of Energy Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and Global Victoria. It will provide an opportunity to showcase Victoria’s reputation as a leader in the energy and resources sector, and demonstrate the Victorian Government’s commitment to transitioning to a clean energy future.
Victoria was one of the first in the world to legislate a net-zero emissions target by 2050 and the state is decarbonising at the most rapid rate of any major jurisdiction in Australia. Through Victoria’s Climate Change Strategy, the Victorian Government has set ambitious, but achievable targets to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels by 28 to 33 per cent by 2025 and 45 to 50 per cent by 2030.
MCB’s CEO Julia Swanson said securing this event highlights the role business events play in supporting Victoria’s commitment to sustainability. MCB’s Sustainability Strategy actively seeks the acquisition of business events aligned with Victorian Government priorities.
The APAC Offshore Wind and Green Hydrogen Summit 2023 is organised by the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), an international association and event owner that represents more than 90 per cent 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.
