On December 14, 2023, the global launch ceremony for the 2024 Netherlands International Energy Storage and Smart Energy Technology Exhibition and Conference (ESTEC) was held at the prestigious “World Forum” convention center in The Hague. The event was attended by representatives from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Chinese Ambassador to the Netherlands, the Netherlands-China Business Council, the Association of Chinese Enterprises, the EU-China Chamber of Commerce, the Netherlands-China Friendship Association, and the European Association of Energy Storage Trade (EAEST).
During the ceremony, Rob van der Gulik, Deputy Secretary General of EAEST, stated that the Netherlands is at a crucial juncture in accelerating its energy transition. Building on its strong foundation in traditional energy, the Dutch government has recently implemented a series of policies to vigorously support the rapid development of new energy industries, with notable results. To address the urgent needs of industry development, the global energy storage event – ESTEC 2024 – will be held from October 15 to 17, 2024, at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre. This event is positioned as the most professional, international, and large-scale industry gathering globally.
Peter van Dijk, Chief Marketing Officer of ESTEC, highlighted that Europe is the largest import region for Chinese energy storage products, with a total import value of $26.509 billion, accounting for 42.58% of all energy storage exports. In 2021, the Netherlands ranked second globally in newly installed offshore wind power capacity. As a strong player in European photovoltaics, the Netherlands has consistently ranked among the top three in Europe for new photovoltaic installations for several years.
While the Netherlands leads EU countries in the proportion of photovoltaic power generation, its aging power grid is approaching saturation, resulting in a significant waste of clean energy. To break through grid bottleneck restrictions, the Dutch government plans to allocate 416.6 million euros from last year’s climate package to subsidize battery storage systems with capacities between 160MW and 330MW, co-located with solar power facilities. This initiative has unleashed enormous potential in the Dutch energy storage market, providing a rare development opportunity for Chinese enterprises.
The upcoming ESTEC, scheduled for October 15-17, 2024, at RAI Amsterdam, will undoubtedly serve as a valuable platform for exchange and cooperation. With over 30,000 square meters of exhibition space, it is the largest professional exhibition in the industry, offering exhibitors the opportunity to engage in business cooperation with more than 50,000 industry professionals and key clients at the same time and place.
During the exhibition, multiple high-level forums and conferences will be held. These events will bring together policy makers, experts and scholars, leading enterprises, financial institutions, consulting firms, and authoritative media from the industry to discuss industrial policy orientations, cutting-edge technologies, market trends, business models, and financing channels. These discussions aim to contribute to the advancement of global low-carbon energy development.
