Regions and Industry Leaders Exchange Insights on the Future of Wind Energy

Representatives from Bremen (Germany), Gippsland (Australia), Łódzkie (Poland), and Jeollanam-do (Republic of Korea) gathered online on 5 August 2026 for the latest IURC Community of Practice 4 Business Mixer Session, bringing together 49 participants from regional governments, wind energy companies, research institutions, and international partners. The session brought together six wind energy companies — Ørsted, Star of the South, WindTAK, FIELAX, Deutsche Offshore Consult, and Deutsche Windtechnik — to showcase their expertise and explore opportunities for collaboration across the onshore and offshore wind power industry, with discussions spanning supply chains, turbine monitoring, offshore safety, infrastructure, and operations and maintenance.

The session began with an overview of the wind energy landscape in each region. Gippsland, presented by Bodye Darvill, Director of Partnerships and Supply Chain at Offshore Wind Energy Victoria, highlighted Victoria’s ambitious offshore wind targets, including 9 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2040, as well as its efforts to develop local supply chains, workforce capacity, and infrastructure. The region is also preparing for its first offshore wind auction, with strong emphasis on local economic participation and long-term industry development.

Lodzkie, presented by Bartosz Mądry from the Department of Regional Policy and International Cooperation, Marshal’s Office of the Lodzkie Region, shared the region’s ongoing transition from coal-based energy toward renewables, with wind energy playing a leading role in its renewable energy mix. With significant existing wind capacity and further potential for new wind farms, repowering, and improved grid integration, the region highlighted opportunities to expand wind energy as part of its broader energy transition.

Bremen, represented by David Meyer from the Federal State of Bremen, showcased its strong offshore wind ecosystem centred around Bremerhaven, a long-established hub for Germany’s wind energy industry. The region highlighted its extensive industry network and the growing importance of digital and data-driven solutions for improving the safety and efficiency of offshore wind operations. Lina Stolz from the German Society for Maritime Emergency Management (GMN) and Bernhard Stoevesandt and Jonas Kaczenski from Fraunhofer IWES also shared insights into offshore emergency response, wind energy research, and the role of technology in supporting the sector.

Following the regional presentations, the session turned to the practical solutions and expertise needed to support the continued growth of the wind energy sector. Six companies shared how their experience and technologies can contribute to developing more resilient supply chains, improving project performance and safety, and ensuring the long-term operation of wind energy assets.

Ørsted, represented by Marc Adams, Lead Supply Chain Development Manager, highlighted the importance of building the right ecosystem around offshore wind projects. Drawing on its experience across global markets, Ørsted emphasised how early engagement with governments, businesses, training institutions, communities, and other stakeholders can help strengthen local supply chains and develop the skilled workforce needed to support the industry over the long term.

In Gippsland, Star of the South, represented by Paul Johnson, Senior Manager, Regional Engagement, demonstrated how a major offshore wind project can create opportunities beyond electricity generation. Its proposed 2.2 GW project is mapping local capabilities and identifying opportunities to expand Australia’s supply chain, including secondary steel fabrication and long-term operations and maintenance. Such efforts can help ensure that offshore wind development also contributes to regional industry and employment.

As wind farms grow in scale, maintaining the performance and reliability of turbines becomes increasingly important. WindTAK, represented by Piotr Wiklak, Chief Technology Officer, and Maciej Kolczyński, presented sensor and data-driven solutions that can detect potential turbine and blade issues at an early stage. By supporting condition monitoring, predictive maintenance, and digitalisation, such technologies can help operators reduce unexpected failures and improve the efficiency and reliability of wind energy assets.

Safety is another essential element of offshore wind development. Deutsche Offshore Consult (DOC), represented by Sebastian Zehmke-Marahrens, Senior Project Manager & Consultant, explored how better situational awareness can help address collision risks within offshore wind farms. Through risk assessment, vessel monitoring, and AIS data analysis, DOC highlighted practical approaches to strengthening emergency preparedness and protecting offshore infrastructure as maritime activity around wind farms increases.

Reliable connections to the electricity grid are equally important. FIELAX, represented by Dr. Regina Usbeck, Managing Director, demonstrated how detailed knowledge of seabed conditions can contribute to the safe and efficient design of offshore power cables. By measuring seabed thermal properties and accounting for seasonal variations, its work can support better cable selection and help maximise the safe operating capacity of the infrastructure connecting offshore wind farms to the grid.

Finally, ensuring that wind turbines continue to perform efficiently throughout their operational life requires strong operations and maintenance (O&M) capacity. Deutsche Windtechnik, represented by Sebastian Guse, Head of Business Development, shared lessons from servicing more than 7,900 turbines worldwide and emphasised the importance of developing a skilled technical workforce. In particular, the company highlighted the need for hands-on training and specialised expertise to maintain offshore turbines in remote and challenging environments.

The presentations were followed by a joint discussion on offshore emergency response, wind modelling, and turbine monitoring technologies. Participants explored how technical expertise, data, and existing industry solutions could be shared across regions, including potential applications in emerging offshore wind markets such as Victoria.

The session concluded with an exchange on future networking and cooperation opportunities, demonstrating the value of connecting regions, companies, and technical experts across different markets. Through continued dialogue and knowledge exchange, participants identified opportunities to strengthen international cooperation and support the development of a resilient and sustainable wind energy sector.

Written by Soomin Yang, Programme Officer in CityNet, IURC Korean Helpdesk

(korea.helpdesk@iurc.eu)