SCOTLAND’S First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is to speak at the UK’s largest renewable and low carbon energy exhibition and conference in Glasgow.

Her involvement in the event has highlighted the significance of the conference which will see 400 exhibiting companies from 16 countries and a packed programme with 400 speakers.

Around 7,000 people from the UK and overseas are expected to attend All-Energy which is to be held at the Glasgow Event Campus (SEC – formerly SECC) on May 10 and 11.

As always, all elements of All-Energy – the exhibition, the conference and the Giant Networking Evening – are free to attend for all with relevant professional/business interests.

"We are delighted to be welcoming Scotland’s First Minister to the show on opening morning," said All-Energy’s event director, Jonathan Heastie of organisers, Reed Exhibitions.

"It’s an event that buzzes with enthusiasm from exhibitors eager to do business and visitors just as eager to learn and to engage with exhibitors and conference speakers.

"We have a superb exhibitor list with a broad range of highly relevant exhibits, and a stellar conference line-up. The First Minister’s presence will add to both the topicality and significance of the programme."

Mr Heastie pointed out that the conference was taking place at an important time for the country’s future energy policy.

"The consultation period for the Scottish Government’s draft Energy Strategy will still be open as All-Energy takes place, meaning that there will be much buzz in conference sessions and on the exhibition show floor about responding to the acclaimed far-reaching and ranging document," he said.

The strategy sets out a vision of achieving almost complete decarbonisation of the energy system with a new 2030 "all-energy" target of the equivalent of 50 per cent of Scotland’s heat, transport and electricity consumption to be supplied from renewable sources.

Although All-Energy is based in Glasgow, Mr Heastie pointed out that it looks beyond Scotland to the wider United Kingdom and to overseas issues and opportunities.

"Two of our overseas exhibiting countries – the Czech Republic and Taiwan – will be holding special conference sessions," he said. "And as a world-class event, All-Energy looks at activities far and wide in over 50 conference sessions, as well as in our exhibition show floor Quick Fire seminar theatres.

"It is an exciting programme with innovations such as the All-Energy Marine Renewable Energy Investment Challenge, discussion by the UK’s key offshore wind stakeholders about the ever-present challenge of lowering costs, dedicated sessions for the farming community, the grid, energy storage and so much more."

Not only will the First Minister speak at the All-Energy opening morning, but Scottish Government officials will have a role to play in sessions such as Energy Efficiency and Onshore Wind and Local Energy and Heat, as well as in the bioenergy, carbon capture and storage, hydrogen and fuel cells, hydropower, marine renewables, and offshore wind sessions.

In addition to the main conference, the Quick Fire exhibition show floor theatres are devoted to Marine Renewables, Community/Local Energy, Offshore Wind and Energy Efficiency.

As there are so many companies highlighting their products and services in the All-Energy exhibition there will be 15 sector specific trails to help visitors find the stands showcasing their interests.

They can plot their way around the show online in advance via the All-Energy App or use the trail maps available on arrival at the SEC. Relevant icons appear on the stand and play a double role as they ensure exhibitors see the visitors of most relevance to them.

EXPERT ADVICE

Specialists from headline sponsor Shepherd and Wedderburn include Clare Foster, head of clean energy, who will be speaking at the first of the Sustainable Cities sessions, an interactive event with an impressive panel ready to answer questions on Sustainable Cities and the Great Debate: Aspiration versus Implementation …. Translating Policy into Projects with questions requested in advance (see All-Energy website for the closing date).

Patricia Hawthorn will chair the opening Offshore Wind session and John Grady will give the low-down on the latest legal developments in converting energy from waste water, when he presents Waste Water and Energy in the UK – The Next Big Bang?

Liz McRobb, well known for her work in the utilities sector, will speak on Aviation Mitigation – The ‘Airscape’ in a Post Renewables Obligation World.

"All-Energy is a superb event, one that we have sponsored for many years," said Ms Foster. "It offers a great opportunity to connect with other professionals in the industry and for delegates to learn about emerging technologies and new ways of working. "

All-Energy is held in association with the Renewable Energy Association (REA), Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise, Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG) and host city Glasgow.

The Society for Underwater Technology is the show’s learned society patron and a further 40 organisations, including government departments, professional bodies and trade associations act as supporters of the two-day annual event.

Further information on all aspects of All-Energy and registration are at all-energy.co.uk