Salzburg hosts European hydropower industry gathering

On the 3rd & 4th March, Messezentrum Salzburg will be the meeting place for experts from (small-scale) hydroelectric power stations across Europe. The hydropower trade fair & congress event highlights the latest relevant technical developments and projects, and discusses legal frameworks and future guidance on a political level. The expo programme is mainly aimed at project planners and executive decision makers in the construction, technical engineering and architectural fields with municipal and local authorities, and electric utilities.

The opportunity for the various actors involved to physically meet up makes the RENEXPO INTERHYDRO the perfect platform for networking, and a unique chance to discuss specialised issues with colleagues and counterparts from all over Europe. Regarding the relevance of the hydropower trade fair and congress, DI (FH) Alexander Kribus, CEO Messezentrum Salzburg, explained: “Over the past year wholesale electricity prices have risen very rapidly. There are several plausible explanations for this, but the fact is that there are now major opportunities for small and medium-scale hydroelectric plants. New-build projects, restarts and renovations have become financially viable, before even considering the ecological benefits. The RENEXPO INTERHYDRO is a very up-to-date information hub for all interest groups on the market”, and finished by remarking: “We’re proud to be staging the first physical trade fair this year in Austria. Ultimately, it’s the solid support of all of our exhibitors and partners that has enabled this new beginning come to fruition.”

High-energy stage show

The Hydro-Forum is a central event powerhouse designed to boost momentum and output on both days of the fair with practical, real-world presentations and panel discussions. At the opening ceremony visitors will be welcomed by the Austrian Federal Minister for Climate Protection, the Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology, Leonore Gewessler (BA); Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Josef Schwaiger, provincial councilor Salzburg, and by the German MP, Dr. Andreas Lenz. Planned political discussions are to be held in events such as the ‘Energy Talk’, as Martina Prechtl-Grundnig, CEO of the umbrella organisation ‘Renewable Energy Austria’, Wolfgang Anzengruber (Dipl.-Ing.), former chairman of the Verbund AG board, the Austrian Environment Minister and the above German MP, all consider the question: ‘Hydropower as the backbone of the energy transition: Is energy legislation doing this goal justice?’

Other points on the agenda are a presentation on the Großweil pilot plant, a shaft-design power plant considered to be the most environmentally friendly hydroelectric plant around, as well as keynote speeches by Herbert Saurugg, M.Sc., the well-known expert on blackouts and emergency power supply. On the 4th March, the government of the state of Salzburg, is also holding the ‘Hydropower Plant Operators’ Gathering’ within the framework of the RENEXPO INTERHYDRO 2022.

Congress for in-depth discussions

The two-day RENEXPO INTERHYDRO fair also welcomes guests to the accompanying hydropower congress. An international group of experts from the fields of technology and commerce speak about their practical experiences, as well as trends and developments in two thematic fields: ‘Hydropower & Sediments’ and ‘Hydropower & Storage’

The RENEXPO INTERHYDRO serves as a valuable source of knowledge, provides a stable foundation for the expansion of professional networks, and enhances synergies within Europe – all with the shared goal of exploiting the existing potential of (smaller-scale) hydropower infrastructure. The clear emphasis at the event is on enhancing the benefits of water as a renewable energy source for the sake of a climate-neutral and ecologically-sustainable future.

Covid-19 rules

Official medical proof: Vaccinated, recovered, negative PCR test & FFP2 mask mandate