Esbjerg On The World Map of Energy

The participation of Esbjerg Municipality in the annual meeting of the World Energy Cities Partnership in Dongying, China has resulted in Esbjerg’s membership of the super league of energy. Esbjerg has become the sector’s Danish representative among 20 World Energy Cities worldwide. This is an important step for the offshore industry in Esbjerg and the rest of Denmark. The cooperation with WECP opens new doors; in Dongying, Esbjerg Mayor Johnny Søtrup was able to represent Esbjerg and Denmark at a meeting with Sinopec - the world's second largest producer of oil and gas.

From now on, the EnergyMetropolis Esbjerg will be the Danish representative among the largest offshore and energy cities worldwide. The association of the world's leading energy cities, World Energy Cities Partnership (WECP) included Esbjerg as a member at WECPs annual meeting in Dongying in China Wednesday afternoon. Esbjerg’s membership was decided unanimously at WECPs general meeting.

"As Mayor, I am very proud that Esbjerg now represents Denmark on the global energy scene. It is an important recognition of our own ambition to be the Danish EnergyMetropolis, and our membership will be actively used to promote national as well as local interests", says Mayor Johnny Søtrup, pictured above left.

Increased cooperation around the North Sea and worldwide
It was the future President of WECP and Mayor of Stavanger Christine Sagen Helgø who nominated Esbjerg to become a member of the network, and she looks forward to welcoming Esbjerg into the exclusive club.

?Christine Sagen Helgø (picture above right) says, "I am very pleased that our twin city Esbjerg will now represent Denmark in WECP. Esbjerg's membership will strengthen the important cooperation around the North Sea, which already exists between Stavanger, Aberdeen and Esbjerg. It is an advantage for all parties, and we are very happy to welcome Denmark's offshore city Esbjerg."

The Lord Provost of Aberdeen, George Adam, welcomes Esbjerg's membership of WECP, commenting, "As a founding member of the World Energy Cities Partnership, Aberdeen is delighted to welcome Esbjerg to the network of global energy hubs. I am particularly pleased to see a fellow North Sea port city join the partnership. We share a mutual twin city in Stavanger, and Esbjerg's membership provides some exciting opportunities for trilateral cooperation.  I am confident that our collective North Sea expertise in energy will continue to be highly sought after around the world."

Meeting with the world's second largest producer of oil and gas
Esbjerg's active participation in the WECP network will open new doors to oil and gas producers worldwide. Contacts are likely to benefit the offshore industry in Esbjerg and the rest of Denmark. During the meeting in China the mayors of WECP met with the management of Sinopec – the China-based company is the world's second largest producer of oil and gas.

Citing the world- famous Danish storyteller Hans Christian Andersen, Johnny Søtrup says Esbjerg has transformed itself from being an ’ugly duckling’ to a ’beautiful swan’; a leader in offshore wind globally. The

Mayor also stressed Esbjerg's role as EnergyMetropolis, contributing more than 9,000 jobs to a total of 13,000 Danish offshore jobs.

Representatives from Esbjerg and Stavanger look forward to forging even closer ties, as the cities have several common interests. In 2014 Esbjerg will once again participate in the major energy exhibition ONS in Stavanger.

What is the significance of WECP to Esbjerg and Denmark?
WECP meetings always coincide with major oil and gas exhibitions around the world. On these occasions members of WECP network and create contacts, which are likely to benefit local companies. There are several benefits of membership beyond the energy industry and mutual opportunities in energy-related technology; these include education, food processing and marketing, environmental technology, medicine and bio-science, and tourism development. In addition the work of WECP emphasizes research and education. As a result, there are exchange programs between several universities, with member cities jointly establishing research positions.