Middle East Energy Investors Catch Wind of German Offshore Opportunities

Berlin / Abu Dhabi (ots) - Investors from the Middle East are
expressing a growing interest in large-scale, sustainable industries,
including Germany's renewable energies industry. Developments in the
offshore wind energy industry make it one to watch for investors.
Germany's first wind park was recently completed and German wind
companies are strongly represented in a number of European offshore
projects. The investment potential in German offshore projects will
be one theme at this year's World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi
from January 18-21, 2010. Germany Trade & Invest will present these
opportunities at a roundtable discussion.

The completion of the alpha ventus offshore wind farm in November,
a pilot project led by EWE, E.ON Climate & Renewables, and Vattenfall
Europe New Energy, marks the most significant recent development in
Germany's offshore industry. By removing several obstacles to
offshore wind energy generation, it paves the way for new offshore
parks that are in late planning stages. The venture consists of 12
five-megawatt wind turbines located 45 kilometers off the island of
Borkum in the German Bight at a water depth of about 30 meters.

Investors from the Middle East are currently drawn to sustainable,
long-term industries. Masdar, for example, a state-owned enterprise
of the United Arab Emirates, already operates a thin-film solar
module plant in Germany that serves as a technology reference point
for its operations abroad.

Johannes Dimas, Senior Manager for the wind energy industry at
Germany Trade & Invest will moderate a roundtable discussion for
interested investors on Germany's opportunities. According to Dimas,
"Players in Germany's wind energy industry face ideal conditions,
making our industry increasingly attractive to investors from the
Middle East. Germany's supply industry is a world leader with an
exceptional export ratio. Incentives have been tailored to virtually
eliminate risk. High feed-in tariff rates are guaranteed for 20
years, which boosts short-term profitability."

Government Support Stimulates Industry

With a EUR 30 billion industry and an export quota above 80
percent in 2008, Germany is ideal for investors seeking to enter the
wind energy sector. The industry is supported by a raft of measures
from the country's economic stimulus package and the Renewable Energy
Sources Act (EEG in German). This law requires power companies to buy
energy from owners of renewable energy installations at a rate that
is above the standard retail price. Revisions in 2009 have given a
significant boost to wind energy in particular. For offshore sites,
transmission system operators are required to provide grid
connections at sea, which marks a clear reduction in risk for
investors.

Germany Trade & Invest is the foreign trade and inward investment
promotion agency of the Federal Republic of Germany. The organization
advises foreign companies looking to expand their business activities
in the German market. It provides information on foreign trade to
German companies that seek to enter foreign markets.

Originaltext: Germany Trade and Invest
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Contact:
Eva Henkel
Phone: +49 (0)30 200 099-173
Fax : +49 (0)30 200 099-111
Email: Eva.Henkel@gtai.com