ENGINEERINGNET.EU -- A survey of delegates at the Power-Gen Europe conference found that nearly half (48%) believe that the best opportunities for Europe’s power engineering sector will come from outside of Western Europe in the next five years.
34% felt the best opportunities would arise in power plant modernisation and refurbishment in Western Europe and only 18% have faith in the best opportunities coming from new power plant construction in Western Europe.
The survey was designed to quantify delegates’ views on some of the key issues affecting the industry in 2012.
One of the most divisive topics covered at this year’s conference was Germany’s ‘Energiewende’ which caused heated debate at the Joint Plenary Session.
Delegates were similarly split. Just over half (52%) of those polled believe that Germany has made the wrong decision to phase out all of its nuclear power generation by 2022, compared to 34% who felt it was the right decision. A further 14% felt it was too early to say.
“This survey is a fantastic opportunity to gauge the mood of the industry and identify burgeoning trends that will come to define Europe’s future,” said conference director Nigel Blackaby.
The delegates questioned for the survey consisted primarily of engineers and senior managers representing construction, electric utility and power generation companies, equipment and service suppliers, consultancies, universities and research centres.
BACKGROUND
Power-Gen Europe Europe is a three-day event, comprising an exhibition floor populated by major power industry players. Alongside the exhibition, a high-level multiple track conference offers presentations detailing the latest strategies and technology developments delivered by leading experts in the power industry.
