RENEWABLE sector attention will be focussed on Glasgow on May 10 and 11, when All-Energy, the UK’s largest renewable energy exhibition and conference returns to the city's SECC.

This year, which will be the 17th All-Energy event to date, will bring together some 7000 participants from home and overseas, 400 exhibiting companies from 16 countries, and a packed conference and seminar programme with around 400 speakers, including Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, who will address the opening session on May 10.

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. Online registration is now open at www.all-energy.co.uk

“We are delighted to be welcoming Scotland’s First Minister to the show on opening morning,” said All-Energy’s event director, Jonathan Heastie. “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.

“This is an important time for Scotland’s energy plans. The consultation period for the Scottish Government’s draft Energy Strategy will still be open at the time of All-Energy, 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. It sets out Scotland’s vision of achieving almost complete decarbonisation of the energy system; and setting a new 2030 ‘all-energy’ target for the equivalent of 50% of Scotland’s heat, transport and electricity consumption to be supplied from renewable sources.

“All-Energy is proudly based in Glasgow,” added Mr Heastie. “But of course 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; and the Department for International Trade will be encouraging UK companies to join the export drive.

Alongside a whole host of company exhibits of relevance to rural businesses and landowners, there will be a dedicated conference session for the farming community, chaired by Thomas McMillan, the director of Savills rural energy department.

Speaking at that will be the Scottish Government's head of agriculture and rural business support for climate change, Gordon Struth, who will discuss official energy generation and energy efficiency plans, for now and in the future.

SAC Consulting's Environment Group team leader Jim Campbell will look at adding value to farm scale renewable energy production, while his colleague, senior biomass consultant John Farquhar, will cover the proposed change of rules for AD feedstocks under FIT and RHI.

It will be the SRUC's first All-Energy in its new role as provider of Scotland’s farm advisory service (FAS) and its stand will be branded as such, explained Mr Campbell: "We will be providing renewables advice and information aimed at increasing the profitability and sustainability of farms and crofts throughout Scotland. As well as speaking directly to the many farmers and rural businessmen that regularly attend the show, we will be directing them to the national advice line and FAS website where technical information is being made available.

"My presentation at the conference session will look at how maximum value can be obtained from renewable generation and cover issues such as energy storage and demand side management and what opportunities they may offer in the future."

Roddy McLean, director of agriculture at the Royal Bank of Scotland, will also take part in the farm renewables session, looking towards a more energy efficient future.

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. A further 40 organisations including government departments, professional bodies and trade associations act as supporters of the two-day annual event.