News Release NR-2004

UK Energy Minister to Address World Renewable Energy Congress

Conference, Expo to Bring International 'Clean Energy' experts to Denver

Wednesday, April 07, 2004

Golden, Colo. — Stephen Timms, energy minister for the United Kingdom will speak to delegates from as many as 100 nations at the opening ceremony of the eighth World Renewable Energy Congress (WREC VIII) in Denver on Aug. 30.

Expected to be the world's largest gathering of renewable energy experts, WREC VIII will provide a forum for energy suppliers and consumers, as well as governments, industry, academia and financial institutions to discuss the development of energy sources that are secure, sustainable, accessible and economically viable.

The Congress runs Aug. 29 - Sept. 3, 2004 in downtown Denver.

The Honorable Herman Scheer, member of the German parliament, the Bundestag, and president of Eurosolar, also will speak at the opening ceremony. Scheer was named one of Time Magazine's "Heroes of the Green Century" for his commitment to renewable energy and is the author of the acclaimed book, "The Solar Economy."

Other notable conference speakers include Dominique Lallement, manager of the World Bank's Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme; Wiktor Raldow, head of unit, New and Renewable Energy Sources, European Commission; Hazem Nasar, minister of water and irrigation, Jordan; William Agyemang Bonsu, national coordinator for climate change, Ghana; and Dr. Abdulazia Othman Ahwaijri, director general of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Running concurrently with the Congress, the Energy Technology Expo in the Colorado Convention Center will bring together all branches of the international renewable marketplace under one roof. Booth space, sponsorships and speaking opportunities are limited. For more information contact Jim Yarish at 203-925-0004, ext.108.

WREC VIII allows policy makers, researchers, manufacturers, financiers, government officials and others to present their views in plenary and technical sessions and to participate in discussions, both formal and informal, enabling a transfer of knowledge among nations.

WREC VIII will be hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Other major sponsors include the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the World Renewable Energy Network, Xcel Energy, BP, and the American Council on Renewable Energy.

More information on WREC VIII and the companion Energy Technology Expo including logistics and registration details is available.

For further information contact NREL Public Affairs at (303) 275-4090.