At POWER-GEN Europe 2010, we conducted a poll of 60 power equipment and service providers and their customers and found that the majority (75 per cent) see a strengthening in market demand next year, despite the uncertainty surrounding international climate change regulation. However, only a tiny minority of respondents – just 1.5 per cent – thought the market would weaken.

The survey also found that EU targets to reduce carbon emissions and increase power efficiency, each by 20 per cent by 2020, are expected to drive the market. However, it seemed that opinion remains divided regarding the impact of climate change regulation, and that of the EC’s aim to create a common European electricity market. A third of respondents said that the uncertainty surrounding international climate change regulation was having a negative impact on the European power industry, whilst just under a third believed that a common European electricity market would benefit their business.

The results show that there is a lot of optimism about how Europe’s energy sector will develop next year, tempered by a fair amount of uncertainty.  Despite the negative impact of the economic downturn, the existing power infrastructure has need for significant new investment and the optimism expressed by our survey participants ensured the atmosphere at last year’s POWER-GEN Europe event was electric.

The figures have been announced ahead of POWER-GEN Europe 2011, which is being held at Fiera Milano City in Milan, from 7-9 June. Visitors to the event will also have access to Europe’s leading renewable and nuclear energy exhibitions, Renewable Energy World Europe 2011, and Nuclear Power Europe 2011. In addition, all three events will be complemented by a comprehensive conference programme, providing participants with a deeper understanding of a wide range of industry issues. For more information on this year’s event, please take a look at the POWER-GEN 2011 website.