The industry emphasizes the importance of Salzburg for the hydropower sector

Salzburg, November 26, 2015 The largest European hydropower trade fair of 2015, the RENEXPO HYDRO, celebrates its grand opening today. Public policy makers as well as representatives of leading companies and interest groups all emphasize the importance of hydropower for a successful energy transition and the positioning of Austria and Germany as leaders in the sector. Salzburg has traditionally been a key hub for the hydropower industry. From November 26 - 28, 2015, hydropower companies and industry representatives will convene at the RENEXPO HYDRO to present their innovations and services throughout the entire hydropower value chain.

"Hydropower is an extremely important renewable energy source for Austria. Therefore, the improvement of existing power plants and the ecological construction of new power plants is both a central environmental issue as well as a key aim of energy policy," notes the Austrian Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management in his welcome message.

The RENEXPO HYDRO will feature about 125 exhibitors from 14 countries representing ever facet of the hydropower industry. This year's list of exhibitors includes both well known figures in the sector as well as several new and innovative exhibitors.

"Hydropower plays a crucial role in achieving the climate and energy goals of the European Union (EU). Already about 380 billion kWh are produced with hydropower in the EU. This makes up about 13% of the total energy production. Hydropower makes a huge contribution to ensuring a secure and controllable energy supply. It helps by enabling energy storage which can store the energy produced by wind and solar during their peak production periods. In the coming years, a 7% expansion of hydropower production is possible in the EU alone. This helps create jobs with high regional value production. Currently, hydropower supports 80,000 highly qualified jobs in the EU. In order to further develop hydropower sustainably, stable framework conditions are required which create uniform market conditions for all power production technologies and guarantee non-discriminatory access to the energy market," says Dr. Albrecht Schleich, director for hydropower in the industry association Verband der Bayerischen Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft e.V. - VBEW and board member of Rhein-Main-Donau AG.

Johann-Georg Röhm, managing director of REECO Austria GmbH which organizes the RENEXPO HYDRO in collaboration with hydropower groups in Austria, Germany and Switzerland representing over 5,000 members, sees plenty of potential. "The RENEXPO HYDRO shows that the European hydropower industry has huge potential for creating value. With a share of 17 percent of the total global power production, hydropower is the world's most important renewable energy resource." Around the world, there is enormous potential for the technology, as currently only 25 percent of the total economic potential is being exploited. Estimates according to Germany's VDMA see potential for about 800,000 megawatts. Asia is currently one of the most importance export markets. Along with China, India - which will be represented at the RENEXPO HYDRO this year for the first time - offers a very promising market.

After opening remarks from representatives of the local and federal government, Johann-Georg Röhm led distinguished guests from the economic and political spheres along with the Bavarian State Secretary for Economics Franz Josef Pschierer, the Salzburg state representative Josef Schwaiger and VERBUND AG board member Günther Rabensteiner through the exhibition and gave an overview of the large range of topics concentrated at the RENEXPO® HYDRO.

Later in the evening there will be a reception in Hohensalzburg Castle. The coming days will feature visits from several national and international delegations. The comprehensive conference program will be visited by over 500 participants. In addition, the establishment of a European hydropower industry association is also on the agenda.

Further information is available at www.renexpo-hydro.eu.