Mayors and senior officials from 12 of the world's leading energy cities are in Aberdeen for the World Energy Cities Partnership (WECP) conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM).

The WECP AGM coincides with Offshore Europe – the first conference to be held at the £333 million TECA (The Event Complex Aberdeen) including P&J Live.

Established in 1995, the WECP connects 19 of the world's leading energy capitals. It serves to facilitate business-to-business interaction, partnerships in energy-related activities and the sharing of industry knowledge and experience, while providing a worldwide network of industry support services and resources.

Conference sessions, seminars, and panel events will give participants access to industry experts and innovators, the opportunity to benefit from their expertise and to share knowledge on current and future developments while also facilitating business-to-business interaction, industry visits and networking opportunities.

The Lord Provost of Aberdeen Barney Crockett, Vice-President of WECP, said: "I am delighted on behalf of the citizens of Aberdeen to welcome my fellow mayors and delegations from the World Energy Cities Partnership, in what is a very exciting time in the life of the city.

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"Aberdeen is a city that is transforming and the WECP AGM gives us the opportunity to further enhance the city's reputation as a global energy hub and world class business location while attracting further investment.

"From Alternative to Mainstream – Towards a 21st Century Energy Mix is a key theme of this year's AGM. Renewable energy is no longer seen as an alternative or future energy; it has become a mainstream energy source and this topic will be a focal point throughout the four days.

"The Aberdeen City Region is a pioneering region – home to £180million Oil and Gas Technology Centre and the world's first floating wind farm – Equinor's Hywind Pilot Park. Aberdeen is also a centre of excellence for hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, with the largest fleet of hydrogen buses in Europe.

"And, it is this pioneering spirit and expertise that we aim to showcase and promote during the WECP conference and AGM, and indeed at Offshore Europe."

The Lord Provost will seek to become President of the WECP when the current President Mayor Mike Savage of Halifax Regional Municipality (Canada) steps down at the AGM, which will be held in the Town House on Saturday 07 September.

Attendees at the WECP AGM and conference include the mayor and senior officials from: Atyrau, Kazakhstan; Barranquilla, Colombia; Cape Town, South Africa; Dammam, Saudi Arabia; Dongying, China; Esbjerg, Denmark; Halifax, Canada; Houston, USA; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Perth, Australia; St John's, Canada; Stavanger, Norway.

A delegation from the City of Kobe (Japan) has also arrived in the Granite City as Kobe is set to become a member of the WECP at the AGM. Observers from Ulsan, South Korea; Pemba, Mozambique; Asaba, Nigeria, Jersey, Channel Islands are also in attendance.

Delegates to the World Energy Cities Partnership AGM delegates or visitors to Offshore Europe are welcome to visit the WECP stand (Block 1K41, Hall 1) and Invest Aberdeen stand (2J20, Hall 2, SDi Pavilion).

(MH/JG)