Succesful opening of do-expo 'Going Like The Wind' on sustainable energy at Fort Napoleon
Discovery and experience at the heart of the exhibition
"Going like the wind" offers an innovative look at the power and potential of wind energy. Until 29 September, visitors - and families in particular - can take an educational journey through the wind farms of the North Sea and discover how offshore wind turbines generate electricity on land. They will also discover the importance of innovations such as the Princess Elisabeth Island. This is an artificial island off the coast of Ostend, designed to transport energy from offshore wind farms to the mainland. This interactive exhibition highlights the transition to renewable energy sources and the crucial role of wind power in this. Children can also follow the energy's journey to land in the exhibition's play area.
The exhibition, which is based on the book of the same name "Going like the wind" by publisher Stratier (Dieter Coppens & Tom Suykens), is designed to inform and inspire visitors in an interactive way. Author Sarah Devos tells the story of the wind with a lighted lamp. The illustrations by Davien Dierckx help to bring the story to life.
"It's essential that we involve the younger generation in the transition to renewable energy. This exhibition does that in an educational and entertaining way. What's more, we also want to make the blue economy in Ostend an asset for tourisme", said Peter Craeymeersch, Managing Director of Tourism Ostend vzw.
The Fort Napoleon site reinforces Ostend's link with sustainable development and its role as a hub for the blue economy. At the inauguration, Mayor Bart Tommelein stressed the importance of such initiatives: "Ostend plays a crucial role in the field of offshore wind energy, and with this exhibition we want to strengthen our leading position.”
"With 'Going like the wind', we want to highlight Belgium's pioneering role in offshore wind energy. Our country is once again making history with the world's first energy island. We are very proud of our Princess Elisabeth Island and we can see that the general public is also very interested in innovation. The North Sea will be the power station of the future, and the future belongs to our young people. So we thought it would be a good idea to put our shoulder to the wheel in this hands-on exhibition for children. We hope it will draw crowds to the Belgian coast this summer," said Frédéric Dunon, CEO of Elia Transmission Belgium.
"This exhibition highlights our joint efforts and achievements in the field of wind energy. As a company, we're proud to be able to tell this story to families in an accessible way."
Julie De Nul, CEO Jan De Nul Group
Julie De Nul, CEO of Jan De Nul Group: “This exhibition highlights our joint efforts and achievements in the field of wind energy. Belgium is at the forefront of offshore wind energy, and we are highlighting this once again with the construction of the very first energy island. As a company, we're proud to be able to tell this story to families in an accessible way.”
Luc Vandenbulcke, CEO of the DEME Group: "The construction of the world's first artificial energy island confirms our country's expertise in building complex projects at sea. In the exhibition "Going like the wind", we show how we achieved this technical tour de force together. We are delighted to present this story to the general public in such a magnificent setting as Ostend.
Ostend: Hub of the blue economy
With 'Going like the wind', Ostend is also establishing itself as a hub for the blue economy. The choice of Fort Napoleon as the exhibition venue underlines the city's link with the sea and its future in the transition to green energy.
Information for visitors
Date: from 22 May to 29 September 2024
Location: Fort Napoleon, Ostend
Organisation: Tourism Ostend vzw
For more information and tickets, visit: www.fort-napoleon.be