Citizens push ahead the energy transition

Husum exhibition boss discusses the grass roots energy transition with energy experts

Husum, 06.02.2014. Messe Husum & Congress organised a press conference in Kiel today on the subject of “Grass roots energy transition – when citizens take the initiative”. The panel of experts included Schleswig-Holstein’s minister for energy transition, agriculture, the environment and rural areas, Dr Robert Habeck, Niebüll’s mayor Wilfried Bockholt, director of the North Frisia office of the Flensburg Chamber of Trade and Industry, Stefan Sievers, and the managing director of Messe Husum & Congress, Peter Becker.

Energy transition despite political uncertainty

Exhibition boss Peter Becker says the success of the energy transition depends on the initiative shown by private and local authority actors: “Regardless of what happens at government level – entrepreneurs, tradesmen and private individuals are taking matters into their own hands as far as the energy transition is concerned”, said Becker in Kiel. “Which is why we want New Energy Husum to be a platform for grass roots energy transition.” New Energy Husum is being held in Husum for the 10th time, from 20 to 23 March.

Schleswig-Holstein’s energy transition minister and patron of New Energy Husum, Dr Robert Habeck, said that the grass roots energy transition is the opposite of what is happening at federal government level: “where they are debating the changes in the general framework conditions for the energy transition in light of the pending reform of the Renewable Energy Act (EEG), whereas ordinary citizens and local authorities are already practising energy transition and pushing it forward with great vigour.”

Involving ordinary citizens and businesses is crucial

The North Frisian town of Niebüll is considered to be a model project for energy transition at municipal level. This energy community, which has received an award from the Renewable Energy Agency, provides its own energy with a mix of wind, sun and biomass. Mayor Wilfried Bockholt puts the success of the project down to direct citizens’ involvement: “There is no alternative to the energy transition – but only if ordinary citizens are involved.” Stefan Sievers of the Flensburg Chamber of Trade and Industry emphasised the importance of renewable energy as an economic factor: “The energy transition creates jobs in the region and increases local value creation. It is particularly small and medium-sized enterprises that profit from the energy transition and make it a success.”

Photographs of the speakers can be downloaded at
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Images of the press conference are available here from c. 14:00 on 6 February!

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In recent years, New Energy Husum has established itself as one of the most important trade fairs in the renewable energy sector. Since 2002 it has served as the showcase for decentralised energy generation based on the use of all renewable energies. The topics and techniques include small wind turbines (up to 100 kW), biogas, solid biomass (pellets, firewood and wood chips for heating systems), solar heating, photovoltaics, electric vehicles, subsurface geothermal energy, energy storage, energy efficient building and mini-CHPs. From 20 to 23 March 2014 experts and leading manufacturers will be meeting in the North Frisian town of Husum to set the course for the innovation needed in a rapidly growing market.

Twitter news about New Energy Husum for journalists: https://twitter.com/NewEnergyHusum

Messe Husum & Congress
Am Messeplatz 12-18
25813 Husum
Tel.: +49 (0)4841 902 - 0
Fax: +49 (0)4841 902 - 246
eMail: info@messehusum.de
www.messehusum.de

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This release was published on openPR.