France, Ireland, Italy, South Africa, the USA.... the German wind turbine manufacturer Enercon has major contracts to announce almost weekly in every corner of the world.

Siemens and Shanghai Electric have formed a strategic alliance for the world's largest wind energy market: China is planning to install wind turbines with total capacity of 150 GW by 2020 – that is the equivalent of the entire renewable and conventional power output in Germany today.

Even in Uruguay and Brazil, wind energy is experiencing a huge lift as it is now the least expensive form of energy generation in these countries as well. For Germany, new figures from the German Federation of Energy and Water Management show that wind energy increased its share in the energy mix from 6 to 7.6 percent in 2011, and is by far the largest renewable energy source in use.

The most important trade fairs for the soaring global wind energy sector are early in the year in Hannover and Husum. Deutsche Messe hosts the flagship Wind tradeshow at HANNOVER MESSE in uneven years. Turbines, services and components for wind energy are presented in an industrial setting. The next Wind tradeshow is scheduled in 2013. Many leading turbine manufacturers will be here in April 2012, however, exhibiting at HANNOVER MESSE.

"Wind energy has a home at HANNOVER MESSE," affirmed Oliver Frese, Senior Vice President of HANNOVER MESSE. In the past six years alone, the renewable energies area at HANNOVER MESSE has grown tenfold in terms of both surface area and number of exhibitors. Wind energy is a major factor in this growth.

Wind energy is the topic of discussions in numerous places. The Renewable Energies forum (Hall 27) takes a look at current developments in the sector, technology trends, foreign markets and financing issues. At the Life Needs Power energy forum (Hall 12), experts from the energy and power industries, scientists and political representatives respond to current questions in the field.

Wind energy also plays an important role in the presentations of this year's Partner Country, China (focus in Hall 6).