Outlook Optimistic for Europe's Power Sector in 2011

LONDON, ENGLAND, January 07, 2011 (Press-News.org) A poll of 60 power equipment and service providers and their customers undertaken at POWER-GEN Europe 2010 found that the majority of respondents (75 per cent) see a strengthening in market demand next year, despite the uncertainty surrounding international climate change regulation. Indeed, only a tiny minority of respondents - just 1.5 per cent - thought the market would weaken, although many firms have yet to be convinced that the EC's drive towards a single electricity market will be beneficial to their business.

In a survey designed to gauge industry confidence, POWER-GEN Europe, the leading event for the international power industry, found that EU targets to reduce carbon emissions and increase power efficiency, each by 20 per cent by 2020, are expected to drive the market. However, opinion remains divided regarding the impact of climate change regulation, and that of the EC's aim to create a common European electricity market. A third of respondents said that the uncertainty surrounding international climate change regulation was having a negative impact on the European power industry, whilst just under a third believed that a common European electricity market would benefit their business.

"Our survey shows that there is a lot of optimism about how Europe's energy sector will develop next year, tempered by a fair amount of uncertainty," said Nigel Blackaby, conference director at POWER-GEN Europe 2011. "Despite the negative impact of the economic downturn, the existing power infrastructure has need for significant new investment and the optimism expressed by our survey participants ensured the atmosphere at last year's POWER-GEN Europe event was electric. Each time we've held the event, it has been a great success, and we're confident that the 2011 event will again surpass expectations."

The results of the survey were announced ahead of POWER-GEN Europe 2011, which is being held at Fiera Milano City in Milan, from 7-9 June. Visitors to the event will also have access to Europe's leading renewable and nuclear energy exhibitions, Renewable Energy World Europe 2011, and Nuclear Power Europe 2011. In addition, all three events will be complemented by a comprehensive conference programme, providing participants with a deeper understanding of a wide range of industry issues.

About POWER-GEN events
POWER-GEN Europe, Renewable Energy World Europe, and Nuclear Power Europe are owned and organised by PennWell Corporation. These events form part of a series staged annually in North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, and providing exhibitors with an international 'one-stop shop' for penetrating markets and presenting their products and services to a global audience. For delegates and visitors, the events provide a dedicated forum tailored to their specific regional needs, putting them in touch with suppliers of solutions to their particular problems. The conferences address topical issues critical to the development of power generation in the host region. http://www.powergeneurope.com

• POWER-GEN Europe
POWER-GEN Europe is the Continent's premier conference and exhibition, and the place where the power industry comes to meet, share information and do business. A three-day event, it comprises a busy exhibition floor populated by major power industry players. Alongside the exhibition, a high-level multiple track conference offers insightful and thought-provoking presentations detailing the latest strategies and technology developments and delivered by leading experts in the power industry.
• Renewable Energy World Europe
Renewable Energy World Europe encompasses the need for greater inclusion of renewable sources into the energy mix as governments strive to ensure the supply of power and electricity sufficiently meets the ever increasing demand.
• Nuclear Power Europe
With more than 200 reactors proposed globally, the nuclear renaissance is in full swing. Nuclear Power Europe is a new conference and exhibition focused on a European nuclear power industry reinvigorated by the climate change agenda.

About PennWell
Established in 1910, PennWell Corporation is a leading international multimedia provider of business intelligence, producing 45 print and online publications, and over 60 conference and exhibitions, research, databases, Internet-based services and other information products to strategic global markets. PennWell POWER-GEN conferences and exhibitions are the world's leading business-to-business power generation events, together connecting over 50,000 industry professionals each year. In addition to its headquarters in Tulsa, USA, PennWell has offices throughout the world, including England, Germany, Russia and Hong Kong, to provide its customers and partners with a truly global service. http://www.pennwell.com