World's largest offshore wind energy event ends on an upbeat note

An EWEA report said the increased electricity will also generate a surge of new jobs -- close to 300,000 in the EU offshore wind power sector by 2030.

The EWEA report, Wind in Our Sails, added areas for growth in offshore wind energy include wind turbines and turbine component manufacturing as well as substructures, vessels, electrical infrastructure including high voltage subsea cables, and ports.

In a video presentation, Günther Oettinger, the EU's Energy Commissioner, noted that the offshore wind industry has become a major industrial player.

"Offshore wind power represents a powerful domestic answer to Europe's energy supply and climate challenge," Oettinger said.

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Financing can still be arranged for expensive offshore wind farm projects despite the ongoing debt crisis, bankers, investors and developers taking part in a panel said.

Sean Klimczak, Managing Director in the Private Equity Group of Blackstone, said he is "relatively optimistic about the opportunities" to raise money for European offshore wind farms.

Agreeing, Jerome Guillet, of Green Giraffe Energy, said there is enough financing money available today for the offshore wind sector. "The market is growing and the money is there for it to continue to grow," Guillet added.

Jorg Schroder, head of project financing for PNE Wind, a German wind farm developer, said EWEA's event was well run.

"For us, it was good to meet so many people in one place," said Schroder. "It's a well organised conference and exhibition. I can't see how you could do it better."

The conference attracted approximately 8,200 participants, featured 23 sessions and more than 480 exhibitors. Media interest was also significant: there were at least 250 online references to the event, three wire agencies and approximately 20 newspapers published stories.