News 2009
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December 21 2009 | After COP15: ‘Road to Mexico' has only just began
After a dramatic negotiation marathon through the final night of the COP15 well into Saturday afternoon, the meeting resulted in a decision which ‘notes’ rather than ‘adopts’ the Copenhagen Accord. This is an agreement which had been thrashed out between the leaders of China, India, Brazil, South Africa and the United States on the evening of 18 December. It is now left to individual countries to sign up to the accord by the end of January.
Judging from the discussions during the closing Plenary session, it can be expected that most UN member states will do so except Tuvalu, Cuba, Nicaragua, Bolivia and Venezuela, and perhaps one or two more.
The discussions in the plenary session, as well as the analyses that followed, showed that most people were disappointed with the Copenhagen accord, and that governments have failed to live up to the promises they made to each other two years ago in Bali.The Accord constitutes a letter of intent rather than an international treaty, and all reference to a ‘legally binding’ nature (now or in the near future) has disappeared from the final text, and it ended up as a collection of voluntary actions by countries, with no legally binding commitments and no international architecture.GWEC had been calling for stringent legally binding emissions targets to spur continued investment in renewable energy and to establish a solid basis for carbon markets. The voluntary approach taken in this declaration fails to send clear confidence building signals to the market and to investors in clean energy technologies.“For myself, it seems that what appears in the document is the lowest common denominator of the elements to which the new ‘big five powers’ (China, India, US, Brazil and South Africa) could come to agreement on, and the rest of the world (including the EU) was told to ‘take it or leave it,” commented Steve Sawyer, Secretary General of GWEC. “This is a weak agreement, which missed a unique opportunity to make genuine progress towards saving the climate and spurring investment in renewable energy technologies.”The wind energy industry stands ready to deliver on its promise to save 10 bn tons of CO2 by 2020. The boom of wind energy and other renewable energy technologies will continue, driven by national concerns over climate change, and economic and security considerations. However, a clear signal of long-term political commitment into decarbonising our energy system was needed to drive even more private investment to clean technologies.“On a more positive note, we did get through the decision on the COPMOP guidance to the CDM Executive Board which will give us some hope of avoiding the situation we had with wind farms in China being rejected by the EB on the basis of the additionality text in the week before the COP. It also contains a directive to SBSTA (the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technical Advice) to come up with a COP decision on standardized multi-project baselines for consideration in Mexico. So we have something to work for on that front,” concluded Sawyer.In conclusion, the international climate regime survives in some form, weakened and wounded, but some hope remains for a comprehensive agreement and a global price on carbon. As one senior EU negotiator said, “We swallowed a lot of water, but we didn’t drown”.The international community indeed has a lot of work to do on the road to Mexico.See www.unfccc.int for more details.
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December 19 2009 | Five-nation Copenhagen Accord: No clear signal to markets and investors
Copenhagen, 18/19 December 2009: In response to the agreement reached here late in the evening of 18th December between the leaders of China, India, Brazil, South Africa and the United States, GWEC Secretary General Steve Sawyer had the following comment:“We have an agreement between five countries. It will be interesting to see what the other 188 have to say. I think most people are disappointed with this agreement, and if it is adopted by the rest of the countries here, I think governments will have failed to live up to the promises they made to each other two years ago in Bali.The text’s reference to the objective of keeping global mean temperature rise below 2C above pre-industrial levels as stated in the Bali Action plan is welcome albeit still too vague.The structure of the proposed agreement is a collection of voluntary actions by countries in a form which had already once been proposed in the early pre-Kyoto climate negotiations. This was then known as ‘pledge and review’, with no legally binding commitments, no international architecture.GWEC had been calling for stringent legally binding emissions targets to spur continued investment in renewable energy and to establish a solid basis for carbon markets. The voluntary approach taken in this declaration would fail to send clear confidence building signals to the market and to investors. If this document goes forward as the basis for negotiation, then it will be important to keep an eye on how the agreement will catalyse investment in clean energy technologies.The wind energy industry stands ready to deliver on its promise to save 10 bn tons of CO2 by 2020. The boom of wind energy and other renewable energy technologies will continue, driven by national concerns over climate change, and economic and security considerations. However, a clear signal of long-term political commitment into decarbonising our energy system would drive even more private investment to clean technologies. I hope that global leaders will not miss this unique opportunity to speed up the energy revolution.The structure of carbon markets in the post-2012 regime and the relationship between the ‘Convention track’ and carbon markets are not resolved in the document.On the financing issue, the signals in terms of both short term and medium term finance are positive, and although the document makes it clear that very little of this will be ‘new’ money, the total sums in question would represent a significant improvement on the current situation. Ultimately, however, additional financing will be required to adequately address the twin challenges of climate change mitigation and adaptation.”
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December 17 2009 | French interest in Danish offshore solutions
As the circle of people negotiating at the COP15 narrows, some of the delegates find time to look at the Danish solutions to integrating large amounts of offshore wind into the power system.
Despite strong winds and waves up to 2 metres, 30 members of the French COP delegation, including the Valérie Létard, French Secretary of State responsible for green technologies and climate change, joined the Wind Power Works boat tour to Middelgrunden offshore wind park. The European Wind Energy Association’s Remi Gruet was present to give information on wind energy at the European level. Representatives form the Danish Wind Industry Association told the delegation about the Danish experience integrating considerable amounts of renewables into the energy system, and representatives from DONG Energy provided details of the turbines.
The sea was rough but the members of the Assemble Nationale and a Senator were not put off, and went on the freezing deck outdoors as the boat sailed almost directly underneath a towering turbine. The trip sparked plenty of questions, and the delegation finally disembarked buffeted but offering hearty thanks for an interesting and informative visit.
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December 17 2009 | Film: Wind at COP15
For the last two to three years, the wind industry has built a presence within the climate negotiation. The short film ‘Wind at COP15’ pictures the culmination and success of this effort.
“The wind industry is probably the largest industry presence at this conference, and it is about time,” says Steve Sawyer, Secretary General GWEC. -
December 17 2009 | Climate change deniers could redouble efforts
Climate change deniers will increase their efforts to make people doubt the scientific consensus regarding global temperature increase resulting from greenhouse gas emissions if a new, strengthened post-Kyoto agreement is reached in Copenhagen.
“The better the deal in Copenhagen, the denial industry will get even worse,” Richard Littlemore said today during a video interview at the UN climate change conference. “I promise you there will be a redoubled effort after Copenhagen” to make people doubt science.
Littlemore is the editor of desmogblog.com which has earned a reputation for exposing global warming misinformation campaigns.
He said doubts about climate change science were first planted and nurtured by the coal and petroleum industries about 20 years ago.
The co-author of Climate Cover-Up: the Crusade to Deny Global Warming, Littlemore later told the European Wind Energy Association that the fossil fuel industry is actively against a successful emissions-reduction treaty being reached in Copenhagen because it would begin losing massive amounts of money.
“The fossil fuel industry has nowhere to run. If we do the right thing on climate change, they’ve lost. As soon as we do the right thing, all the profits related to the fossil fuel industry are in danger.”
A former newspaper journalist, Littlemore also said wind power and other renewable energy sources should be extremely concerned about the climate denial industry. -
December 17 2009 | Wednesday: Long and unproductive; Thursday: Things are finally going to pick up
On Wednesday morning, Connie Hedegaard resigned as the COP President in favour of Danish Prime Minister Rasmussen, and in the obviously tense handover between the two, they made the huge blunder of announcing that there would be ‘new text’ from the Danish Presidency released ‘shortly’.Unsurprisingly, the G-77, China, India and a number of other countries objected to this procedure, not least because they had been up all night negotiating the LCA text, but to introduce new text ‘from the sky’ prior to the report from the LCA did not go down well and resulted in half an hour of back and forth between the Parties and the new President. Today, it transpired that there would no actually be such a new paper, and negotiations on both tracks today resumed on the basis of yesterday morning’s texts.Last night also saw the opening of the ‘high level segment’, which started the endless series of national speeches from Ministers, Prime Ministers, Presidents and other luminaries. This began in the main plenary, and the COP plenary was set to convene at 1pm.However, the informal consultations resulted from the procedural snafu in the COP/MOP plenary led to ‘informal consultations’ which lasted for the rest of the day, and as a result, the COP plenary didn’t actually begin until about 10 pm, with what seemed to me to be discussing calls for discussions about how to have the discussions about how to proceed. Both plenaries were adjourned late, with the announcement that they would resume at 10am on Thursday morning.While it is easy to despair about the complete waste of yet another precious day, we must also remember that the situation in Kyoto in 1997 was just as bad if not worse on the Wednesday evening of the second week. One prominent member of the US delegation reassured us that ‘there was still a deal to be had’.While I agree with this judgment, the likelihood of reaching a reasonable deal in Copenhagen fades with each passing hour, unless the meeting between about a dozen countries/groups (US, China, India, Sudan for G-77, the Swedish EU Presidency, representatives of GRULAC, Africa, AOSIS and the LDCs) to actually come to enough agreement to give their negotiators some new instructions actually occurs, and soon. The issues can be sorted, but someone needs to demonstrate the political will to do it. So far as I can tell, that is still lacking.As I mentioned, negotiations on both tracks resumed today, and I hope to be able to report more progress tomorrow.Thursday: I’m in the Bella Center here today with ‘only’ 300 other NGOs. The process of scaling back from 22,000 registered NGO observers (which includes business and many other groups) to just 300 was inevitably a bit messy.Business resumed today finally this afternoon, after President Rasmussen confirmed in the COP and then the COPMOP that the current documents reported by the AWG KP and LCA yesterday morning would be the basis of negotiations. Now, under Connie Hedegaard’s leadership, contact groups have been established to discuss both texts, and these have immediately resulted in an ever-growing set of ‘open ended drafting groups’.. They are under extreme pressure to produce decision texts for the ministers as soon as possible. This is where we should have been a week ago.The other big news from today was Hillary Clinton’s announcement that the US would ‘support’ a target of 100 billion USD per year in financing. This is seen as a big step forward, although it is entirely unclear how much of that the US share would be, or how much of it would be new money, or how much of it would be public finance and how much would be private investment. It’s the first US commitment to long-term finance, so this is a big deal..Rumours are flying madly at this point, including one that Presidents Hu and Obama are on the phone at the moment, that the EU Council is meeting tonight to raise the target from 20% to 25% or 30%, that there is a new deal coming from the Danish presidency…but I wouldn’t put much stock in the rumours at this stage until we have some more evidence.It’s going to be a marathon from now until sometime Saturday noon, I would guess, with very few people getting any sleep, tensions rising and tempers wearing thin. The good news is that we still have the possibility of getting out of here with something useful. More tomorrow.Steve Sawyer -
December 16 2009 | Chinese interest in Danish integration model
The Wind Power Works boat tours to Middelgrunden have been a great success during the last two weeks. Today Wind Power Works had the pleasure of inviting part of the Chinese delegation including Mr. Li Ganjie, the vice Minister of Chinese Environment Protection to have a closer look at the off shore wind turbines at Middelgrunden.
Also on board with the Wind Power Works team was Mr. Mads Ole Astrupgaard, Managing Director of Fritz Schur Technical Group A/S. The delegation was very interested in the Danish model for integrating considerable amounts of wind energy into the power system, thus ensuring that wind energy is always used where most needed. The key to success is a well-stocked toolbox, and amongst others is it important that the turbines contain the necessary, modern technology.
Denmark has had success in integrating the otherwise tough-to-control wind energy into the power system, and this makes the Danish wind case interesting to the foreign delegation. The passengers had time for an informal discussion on the topics during the tour, and there was a mutual interest in future cooperation in the field. -
December 16 2009 | Progress slow, frustrations surface
Business and industry NGOs attending the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen expressed extreme frustration today at the slow and seemingly confusing pace of progress towards a new, strengthened post-Kyoto agreement on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.At a morning briefing, the non-governmental observers shared stories of negotiating texts being continually changed between meetings and with critical issues being added or dropped from various documents. They were repeatedly told that some of the texts were heavily bracketed, meaning that some of the key issues could also be included or dropped in the future.“It’s going to be a very, very slow process over the next few days,” said one business representative, adding many NGOs feel their messages and concerns are simply not being met.Another representative said he had heard a negotiator saying that “we go nowhere each time we meet.”
NGOs attending the briefing were told that as the negotiating process shifts to the ministerial level today politicians will still have far too many unresolved issues to address by Friday when the conference is scheduled to end.Rémi Gruet said later in an interview that many negotiators are asking for more time before documents go to ministers.“The game they have been playing over the last few days is a delaying game with each of them bringing back old issues which have been sorted out already to avoid dealing with tackling the remaining major issues,” said Gruet, the climate change advisor for the European Wind Energy Association.Gruet said it is now clear that political involvement is necessary in order to reach a new agreement that deals with rapidly reducing destructive greenhouse gas emissions caused by burning fossil fuels.“I don’t see how [the negotiators] would achieve in one more day what they have failed to achieve over the past two years.”
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December 16 2009 | Consensus must be reached this week: Al Gore
World leaders about to descend on the COP-15 climate change meeting in Copenhagen have to reach a political consensus later this week that sets the stage for a new legally binding agreement next year on reducing greenhouse gasses, former US vice president Al Gore said on Tuesday.Gore, chairman of the Alliance for Climate Protection and author of An Inconvenient Truth, told several hundred people at the UN organized climate change conference that failure is not an option.“The alternative to success here in Copenhagen is not acceptable,” said Gore, a co-winner of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.“Decisions made here will shape the future,” he said, adding “we have three days to avoid a failure here. . . More is at stake than many seem to realize. . . The future of our civilization is threatened as never before.”
Gore said recent science shows that greenhouse gasses keep going up and at a faster rate than previously.“This meeting is crucial; it must be a turning point. . .It must lay the foundations for a binding agreement next year.”Gore added the world needs a massive and speedy shift away from carbon-based fuels like oil and coal to cleaner, greener renewable energy sources.Earlier on Tuesday, London Mayor Boris Johnson told attendees at the climate change conference that every Londoner would be within 1.6 kilometres of an electric car charge point by 2015.Johnson told city leaders that London’s proposed network of electric charge points would support the use of zero carbon-emission electric vehicles.
According to a press release, the plan would help London become the electric capital of Europe with 22,500 charge points at workplaces, 500 on streets and 2,000 in public car parks by 2015.“A golden era of clean, green electric motoring is upon us and London is well ahead of cities around the globe in preparing the right conditions for this,” Johnson said in the press release.“There is an urgent need to tackle the risk of serious and irreversible climate change, yet this does not need to be about hair shirt abstinence. I want to pursue radical yet practical steps to cut energy waste. Electric vehicles are a clear example of how technology can provide the solution to the biggest challenge of our generation.”
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December 16 2009 | Wind to power the cars of the future
We already know about the potential of wind as a large-scale and emission-free producer of electricity. But how about wind power and electric cars?Jens Moberg, CEO of Better Place, is a committed and convincing advocate of a future in which we can cut our dependence on burning fossil fuels and continue to enjoy the comfort of our cars.
He took the chance to communicate his enthusiasm at a side event in the climate summit tuesday.The idea is relatively simple: electric cars charged at charging stations when the car is idle (which the average car is for about 22 hours every day) whether at home, at work and in places where cars are parked for a long time such as airports and railway stations. They can also be charged at night when demand for electricity is low, but when the wind is still blowing and capable of generating plenty of power.
A recharged battery will last 160km; 95% of car journeys are well under 160km.
The electric car is a better experience than today’s models says Moberg – they are silent but with the same performance and speed of conventional petrol-powered cars. -
December 15 2009 | Update: The calm before the storm…
Things are a bit less hectic in the Bella Center today. After 9 days of largely circular discussions, I believe the negotiations at official’s level have gone as far as they can go.We have a chair’s draft LCA text and chair’s draft KP text, both of which have the core elements and hooks upon which individual COP and COPMOP decisions can be hung, but not substantial movement on the actual content of any of the main issues. Like one delegate from a certain large, sparsely populated agricultural country east of the Tasman Sea where they filmed the Lord of the Rings said, ‘This discussion is above my pay grade, at least mine’.Ministers met on Saturday and Sunday to help produce these slightly refined texts, but they only assume center stage in this drama as of 5:30 PM this evening with the official opening of the High-level segment. Their moment to shine will be from then until the Heads of State and Government begin arriving late Wednesday and early Thursday when the High level segment will morph into a Leaders’ Summit.Needless to say, the fact that there are so many ‘Heads’ coming to a meeting where the result is not pre-determined, is absolutely unprecedented, and the Danish government needs to be commended for their courage in taking the risk of inviting so many leaders. It has upped the stakes here enormously and increased the pressure on negotiators as well as ministers and presumably at some point it will dawn upon the Heads themselves what they have gotten themselves into.The potential results, therefore, are extremely unpredictable and could range from a catastrophic crash to a political breakthrough, although the targets at this stage are so weak and so full of loopholes that they won’t begin to deliver what is required to keep us on a path to avoid 2 deg C global mean temperature rise, never mind the 1.5 deg C target.So at this point, the reality is that we still have everything to play for, and I will be surprised if we’re a great deal wiser on the final outcome before the wee hours of Friday night/Saturday morning.Attached please find an update from Angelika on the Wind Power Works activities here at COP 15, which on the whole have been a great deal more successful than the negotiations themselves.We’ll update you again at least once before the end.Sincerely,Steve -
December 15 2009 | Join us at the Wind Power Reception tonight
On the occasion of COP15 Wind Power Works would be delighted to see delegates, campaign partners and members of Danish Wind Industry Association at the cocktail reception tonight at the Odd Fellow Palae in the city centre of Copenhagen.Political leaders, negotiators and representatives from the global wind industry will be gathered and given the opportunity to discuss climate challenges and technological solutions to their reduction at this informal reception.We offer appetizers, “Windtini-drinks” and a comfortable after work atmosphere. The reception will take place this Tuesday the 15th from 7pm – 11pm at Odd Fellow Palae, Bredgade 28, 1260 Copenhagen K. -
December 15 2009 | Side-event: Large-scale use of renewable energy technologies
If we are to fulfill the target indicated by science of 25-40 per cent emissions reduction by 2020, wind power can contribute 21-34 per cent of those cuts, said Secretary General in GWEC, Steve Sawyer at a side event at COP15.
The side event took place at the Global Platform at the COP15 venue and attracted a crowd interested to discuss how wind power can contribute to climate change mitigation within the UN climate change policy framework.
The main focus of the side event was thelarge-scale use of renewable energy technologies, particularly wind power.
Christian Kjaer, CEO of the European Wind Energy Association outlined the historic expansion of wind power in Europe.
“The capacity of wind power installed last year was larger than the capacity of nuclear installed overthe last decade,” said Christian Kjaer, stressing that wind power is the only technology that can be deployed rapidly at large scale and that it is abundant in practically every European country, not to mention the rest of the world.
Jens Moberg, CEO of Project Better Place stressed that exploiting the power of wind can enable us to maintain our current lifestyle, which includes comfortable and flexible transportation, while at the same time reducing emissions. The electric car is the technological revolution that has been missing since the very first Ford T left the factory in 1908.Now is the time to change this system since “driving an electric car is not a lesser experience but a better experience,” Jens Moberg said.
See the pictures from the side event here -
December 15 2009 | Film: The voice of wind at the climate summit
Wind Power Works’ objective is to promote bold emissions targets and a rapid deployment of wind energy around the world in a bid to achieve a decline in global greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.
The campaign has engaged with policy makers and governments to discuss the world’s energy needs and the vital role which wind power is playing in fulfilling those needs. Wind Power Works has also been present at the climate summit to show that wind is an effective solution which can deliver power with emission reductions now.The voice of wind is a short film sharing the industry CEOs’ perspective on the potential wind power has to contribute to climate change mitigation.
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December 15 2009 | Climate negotiations still cloaked in secrecy
With four days left until the scheduled ending of the COP-15 meeting on climate change in Copenhagen, the shift continued moving away from negotiating positions to the more secretive ministerial level today.As an inevitable result, business and industry observers are becoming less involved in the complex debate of how the world can reach a new, strengthened post-Kyoto agreement on limiting and then reducing greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming.Indeed, one industry official attending the UN conference today said “things are becoming more and more opaque as we progress” since observers are not able to access as many conference details as before.What is apparent today is that, in many respects, negotiations towards finding a new emissions-reduction agreement appear to be near a confusing standstill.“I have no idea what’s happening, quite frankly,” said Steve Sawyer, secretary-general of the Global Wind Energy Council, adding negotiations positions seem to be quite divided. “Someone has to blink or else we won’t have an agreement."Concurring, Remi Gruet, climate change advisor for the European Wind Energy Association, said today’s plenary sessions should be reporting there has been very little progress so far.“A lot of the [outstanding] issues have been kicked back to the ministerial level,” Gruet said. “We still expect to have a political agreement that will be non-legally binding but, obviously, this can not be considered a success. But, it’s also not necessarily a failure since the process will continue next year.Gruet also noted today marks the end of the Bali Action Plan process that began two years ago at the UN climate change conference in Indonesia.The “four pillars” of the action plan, he said, include a shared vision on how to reduce between 2012 and 2050 greenhouse gases in order to avoid dangerous climate change; mitigation; adaptation; and finance and technology issues.For the wind power industry, Gruet said, mitigation is the most important pillar because that is where future polices promoting wind energy, other renewables and energy efficiency will be applied.It was also learned that a total of 7,000 business and industry observer NGOs would be allowed entrance into the Bella Centre today and Wednesday but that figure would drop to only 1,000 by Thursday as already heavy security continues to increase due to the arrival later in the week of Heads of State. -
December 15 2009 | Danish businesses vote wind
As prime ministers and presidents prepare to come to Copenhagen this week, Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten has published a survey of Danish businesses.The paper asked the top 30 Danish companies what sources of energy should be used in the future giving a range of nine choices including coal, nuclear and wind.The winner, by a big margin, was wind. The Danish Wind Industry Association naturally expressed its satisfaction that wind energy is the preferred energy choice of Danish businesses.The Danish government has a target of providing 50% of the country's electricity from wind by 2025. -
December 14 2009 | Queuing for COP15
Thousands of cold and frustrated people who had not registered yet for the COP15 meeting in Copenhagen faced controlled chaos today as registration problems slowed and then stopped the process entirely.After six hours of waiting in freezing temperatures, the long winding line of disgruntled would-be attendees had not even cleared security, let alone gone through the registration process.While police with dogs restricted access to the Bella Centre site, those lucky few who were allowed to enter the grounds were subjected to further waiting until the line simply stopped, reportedly because the accreditation process had been haltded.No reasons were given for the problems, and no toilets or coffee kiosks were provided.At one point, the crowd half-heartedly began chanting to be let into the building but, just like the faulty registration, nothing came of the good-natured demands.A number of people could be overheard wondering what will happen later in the week when ministers and heads of state arrive in Copenhagen to try and hammer out a new, strengthened post-Kyoto deal on reducing greenhouse gas emissions caused by burning fossil fuels.For those not at the climate talks it is hard to imagine just how huge it is. Inside, the first thing you come across is a very large exhibition area with hundreds of stands run by organisations representing an unbelievably diverse range of interests.Of course wind energy is represented by EWEA and GWEC stands run with the help of the Danish Wind Industry Association. Windpower Works is the theme - and there's plenty of visitors passing and picking up wind power publications.But the most popular attraction for the wind stands, apart from a two metre high wind turbine, is the freepost 'greetings from the COP' postcards where people can send their best wishes to friends and family at home.
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December 14 2009 | Wind Energy can meet 65% of tabled 2020 emissions reductions by industrialised countries
Against the backdrop of the ongoing climate negotiations in Copenhagen, the Global Wind Energy Council today released calculations showing that wind energy alone could achieve up to 65% of the emissions reductions pledges by industrialised countries.The calculations were released on a press conference at the Bella Centre, where Nick Nuttall, Spokesman, UNEP, Steve Sawyer, Secretary General, GWEC, Han Junliang, CEO, Sinovel and Tulsi Tanti, Chairman, Suzlon participated in the panel.Emmissions reductions of at least 25-40% below 1990 levels are required to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. With wind energy and other clean energy technologies that are available now, this and more can be achieved. According to GWEC, global wind energy alone could contribute 34% of a 25% emissions reduction and 21% of a 40% emissions reduction.The GWEC document also outlines emissions reductions potentials from wind power in Europe, the US, India and China, concluding that wind power, if properly deployed, can take all of these regions a big step towards reaching their climate goals.“The wind energy sector stands ready to contribute a total of 10 bn tons of CO2 reductions by 2020,” said Steve Sawyer. “Industrialised countries can and must review their pledges for reduction targets and raise them very substantially, as well as assisting developing countries’ often ambitious programmes to decarbonise their electricity systems with both public finance and private investment through the carbon markets.” -
December 14 2009 | High Level Dinner Had a Natural Star
Yesterday evening the Wind Power Works campaign hosted a High Level Dinner for the top level of the global wind industry. However, it was indeed the new Danish Minister for Climate and Energy whom all’s eyes were on.
They were all there: Ditlev Engel, CEO Vestas Wind Systems; Tulsi Tanti, CEO Suzlon; Xabier Viteri, CEO Iberdrola Renewables; Mete Maltepe, Global Sales Leader GE Energy, and Henning Kruse, Manager International Relations Siemens Wind Power - and many more.
Though the High Level Dinner was primarily attended by the global wind industry, the invited guests also included high level Ministers. The new Danish Minister for Climate and Energy, Lykke Friis, was the center of attention and she is already highly respected in the wind industry.
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December 14 2009 | Video: Boat Tour at COP15
More than 50 journalists from media across the globe visited Middelgrunden Wind Farm on a boat tour this Sunday. -
December 13 2009 | WPW Partners: It’s a success!
During the weekend you could meet several of the Wind Power Works Partners at the Bright Green exhibition in Forum. They came without really knowing what outcome to expect, but now all agree that taking part has been a success.Morten Sejr Olsen, Senior Consultant, DONG Energy says, “We didn’t know what to expect as there are many events taking place in Copenhagen right now and not at least at the Bella Center. However, we have had many visitors and it has been a success in every way. It is interesting to see all the technologies already available and ready to combat climate change. These two days have also been a great opportunity for exploring synergies and cooperation between companies.”
At ABB Birgitte Torntoft, Communications- and PR-Coordinator, has also experienced the exhibition as positive and well visited. “We have had quite a few delegates coming by from e.g. USA, China, and Israel but also many curious Danish citizens have visited our booth. “
Jürgen Süss, Vice President R&D, Danfoss Automatic Controls, explains how Danfoss has had an alternative approach to the Bright Green exhibition. “We have thirty young employees here, who are assigned to walk around and find the ideas which haven’t been exploited or brought into their right place yet. When we get back to Danfoss they will then become energy ambassadors for the rest of us.”
Bruno Lund Pedersen, Senior Director Wind Power at Danfoss, points out that the Wind Power Works campaign has become visible and successful during the COP15. “I am hearing from all sides that the boat tours to Middelgrunden Offshore Wind Farm are a great success and that the Wind Power Works messages are getting through to the right people.”
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December 13 2009 | Global Wind Industry gathered in Copenhagen
Sunday evening Wind Power Works and the American Wind Energy Association gathered the global wind indutry at an event in the city centre of Copenhagen. CEOs from keyplaying companies discussed the future of the industry and their collective committment to climate change mitigation. The panel debate was followed by a reception in the beautiful surroundings at the Odd Fellow Palae.
The panel:
Jan Blittersdorf, CEO NRG Systems
Ditlev Engel, CEO Vestas Wind System
Dr. Ian Mays, CEO of RES Group
Tulsi Tanti, Chairman & Managing Director Suzlon
Steve Sawyer, Secretary General GWEC
Denise Bode, CEO American Wind Industry Association -
December 13 2009 | The word is out: Wind Power Works
More than 50 journalists from media across the globe visited Middelgrunden Wind Farm on a boat tour this Sunday. Under rare, winter blue skies the journalist experienced the power of offshore wind in action. Today offshore power plants generate 5 per cent of Danish electricity consumption, while total Danish wind energy production accounts for 20 per cent.The journalists had the opportunity to meet and interview high level representatives from the industry, such as Anders Søe-Jensen, President Vestas Offshore, Steve Sawyer, Secretary General of the Global Wind Energy Council, and Jan Hylleberg, CEO of The Danish Wind Industry Association.Also on board were Denise Bode, CEO of the American Wind Energy Association, Christian Kjaer, CEO of the European Wind Energy Association, Claus Madsen, Managing Director of ABB and Dorte Mundt Andersen, Director of Health, Safety and Environment, Vestas Wind Systems.
Middelgrunden is located in Øresund outside Copenhagen harbour and consists of 20 turbines with a capacity of 2MW each. The wind turbines are in a curve, in the shape of a super ellipse around the city. The wind park produces 100.000MWh a year, covering 3 per cent of the electricity consumed in the municipality of Copenhagen.See all the pictures from the media boat tour to Middelgrunden here -
December 11 2009 | The wind of change
Today, Steve Sawyer made a status on the first week of the COP15. In short much has changed for the role of wind power since Bali and now the potential of wind technology is acknowledged by the negotiators.
The message has gotten through to the negotiators! Wind technology is respected and there is awareness about the fact that wind technology has the potential to play a major role in handling the challenges of climate change. This is the conclusion of Steve Sawyer, Secretary General, GWEC.
This was underlined at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development Business Day where Steve Sawyer participated this Friday. “For the first time that I am aware of the wind industry was a major presence in the meeting. In the first CEO panel three of the five were from the wind industry: Vestas, Iberdrola and Acciona.” This is a great achievement partly reached by the Wind Power Works Partners joining forces.
But even though the message has gotten through the “real deal” is still the politics between governments. However, Steve Sawyer stress that the negotiators can only take the process to a certain point and then the rest must be resolved by ministers and state leaders.
We haven’t achieved much in concrete terms so far but the pressure on the parties is building and whatever the numbers of heads of state are up to next week, they will demand something for them to sign and stand up and applaud.
As the chair stressed in the latest text: ”Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed”. “We still have everything to play for – we haven’t lost anything yet,” concludes Steve Sawyer.
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December 11 2009 | Steel Team Hub Entering the Center of Copenhagen
On the occasion of the COP15 the Danish company Steel Team has sent a decorated exhibition hub to Copenhagen. The blades of modern wind turbines are fastened to hubs like this one, where after the hub is attached to the turbine. The hub weights 12 tons and measures 240 x 240 x 260cm.The Steel Team hub arrived at the city centre of Copenhagen this morning, and is displayed at the Odd Fellow Palæ where the site-event of the global Wind Power Works campaign will be launched.“Our hub is decorated by the artist Tonni Museth,” says Steen Kaasgaard, Managing Director at Steel Team. “We use it at exhibitions, but underneath the paint the hub is just like the ones installed on erected turbines.” -
December 11 2009 | What’s happening this weekend?
December 12th and 13th will be eventful. The Wind Power Works Partners arrive to Copenhagen and are invited to participate in a broad range of activities including the Bright Green exhibition, NGO party, cocktail reception, and for some special invited guests a high level dinner.
Saturday the 12th the Wind Power Works Partners is invited to join a guided tour in the Bella Center which will make it easier for them to find their way around during the following days. In the evening there is an opportunity to enjoy oneself at the NGO party – a party with a reputation!
Sunday the 13th there is a planned visit at the Bright Green exhibition in the center of Copenhagen (Forum). At the Bright Green exhibition many of the Wind Power Works Partners’ companies are represented showing their technological solutions to the climate change challenges. The exhibition is an experience park that presents climate friendly high-tech solutions from very different sectors.
The Wind Power Works campaign has also arranged a treasure hunt for all the guest at Bright Green – and it is also possible to participate as a Wind Power Works Partner.
In the late afternoon the Wind Power Works Partners are invited to a cocktail reception which is followed by a high level dinner by invitation only.
Read more:
Wind Power Works events
www.brightgreen.dk -
December 10 2009 | The logistical puzzle at COP15
The UN COP15 is the biggest conference Denmark has ever hosted so far, and one necessary prerequisite of carrying through an event this size and importance is a carefully conceived plan for the all the logistics.
Sven Olling has been in charge of the thorough preparation of both internal and external logistical matters concerning the conference, and after two years of extensive planning the Bella Center is now crowded with delegates from every part of the world.
Three full days of the COP has gone by, and so far Sven Olling is satisfied with the course of events. “We haven’t experienced anything unexpected,” Sven Olling says: “Metaphorically speaking we haven’t had any fires only embers to put out. Everything progresses without surprises. Right now our focus is the events occurring next week when the state leaders and chiefs of government arrive.”
By now the Bella Center is filled with people, though only very few state leaders have arrived in Copenhagen yet. “One of the things that doesn’t fall into place until the COP has started is the exact number and names of the state leaders arriving,” says Sven Olling and continues: “We have to prepare very carefully for receiving the state leaders and to elaborate a minute to minute plan for their visits”.
In doing this Sven Olling and his team must amongst others take into account whether the leaders bring their own security staff, the exact time of their arrival at the Bella Center and hence the time of departure from their hotels in the city centre. “This is the part of the puzzle that you cannot do until the last minute even though you prepare for it,” Sven Olling concludes.
Due to security reasons a little part of the Bella Centre will be closed next week. In this area the leaders will have their meetings.
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December 10 2009 | PRESS RELEASE: US Interior Secretary visits offshore wind farm during COP15 participation
Copenhagen, 9 December 2009.
The Global Wind Energy Council was pleased to host US Secretary of the Interior Mr. Ken Salazar on a tour of the Middelgrunden offshore wind energy farm just outside of Copenhagen this afternoon, along with representatives of the Danish Wind Industry Association, Vestas, DONG and Siemens.
Secretary Salazar has been a strong proponent of exploiting the vast potential for offshore wind generation off the US East Coast, in pursuit of President Obama’s “25% by 2025” initiative.
Secretary Salazar has a particular interest in offshore wind technology, and he has been a strong advocate of the use of the public lands and offshore waters under his jurisdiction to build the US’ renewable energy generation capacity. Experts estimate that over 1,000 GW of wind energy could be built off the US East coast alone, and while there are no offshore wind farms currently operating in the US, a number of projects are in the pipeline.
“We are very excited about Secretary Salazar’s support for the development of offshore wind and are happy to share the European experience,” said Steve Sawyer, Secretary General of the Global Wind Energy Council.
By the end of 2009, total installed offshore capacity in Europe will be approximately 2,000 MW, just over 1% of the expected total year end global installed capacity of 150,000 MW. However, the share of offshore wind generation is expected to grow substantially in the coming years, particularly in Europe, where up to 55,000 MW are anticipated to be installed by 2020.
“Denmark has pioneered the growth of offshore wind and we are happy to have the Secretary visit Middelgrunden and see for himself what has been achieved”, continued Sawyer. “We were pleased to have the opportunity for in-depth conversation with him about the benefits and the challenges of this new technology. We look forward to working with him and his staff to help the industry develop in the United States.”
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December 10 2009 | Wind Power Works Video of Twelve World Sites
Now you can visit the Wind Power Works website and watch a video of twelve wind power success stories from twelve countries.
Wind Power is an essential part of the energy supply in many countries. In more than 70 countries wind power is present and it is as fast to deploy as it is clean.
One of the messages in the video is that wind power is a way to energy independence. It is available right now and therefore it is possible to take action today.
Watch the video -
December 10 2009 | Journalists meet the Danish Wind Industry
This morning journalist from around the globe went to see the offshore wind farm Middelgrunden located in Øresund right outside Copenhagen. The boat tour was arranged exclusively for the press by The Danish Wind Industry Association in cooperation with the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
At the beginning of the tour presentations were given by Steve Sawyer, General Secretary of the Global Wind Energy Council, and Jan Hylleberg, CEO of The Danish Wind Industry Association. The journalists were also given the opportunity to meet high level representatives from the industry, as Mr. Anders Søe-Jensen, President Vestas Offshore and Michael Fenger, Commercial Director Europe at LM Glasfiber attended the tour and presented their companies.
Afterwards there was time for questions, answers, and interviews while getting a closer look at the turbines at Middelgrunden.
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December 09 2009 | Ken Salazar visits Middelgrunden offshore wind farm
Just hours after arriving Copenhagen, US secretary of the interior, Ken Salazar today visited the Middelgrunden Offshore Wind Farm. The small high-level delegation also counted US ambassador to Denmark, Laura Fulbright.
The visit to Middelgrunden Offshore Wind Farm was hosted by Global Wind Energy Council general secretary Steve Sawyer. During the visit, the US delegation met key people from the global wind industry, and representatives of the Danish Wind Industry.The secretary expressed a keen interest to learn from the example of Denmark, who today has 20% of its electricity powered by wind, and is currently pioneering offshore wind.Ambassador Fulbright expressed that US decision makers should learn from the Danish case, in particular regarding the integration of large-scale renewables. She has therefore accepted to address an up-coming grid symposium for US grid operators organized by the danish TSO and Danish Wind Industry Association.US Department of the interior is responsible for all licensing of wind power offshore and on publicly owned land in the US.Read more about using wind power to combat climate change here or watch filmRead more about the The Danish Green Grid Symposium, 22-26 February 2010 in Copenhagen, Denmark here (pdf)
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December 09 2009 | Wind Energy Generation at the COP15
The Vestas 850 kW wind turbine located next to the Bella Center in Copenhagen, Denmark, constitutes the landmark of the UN climate conference. Symbolizing the shift towards a greener future and a sustainable energy supply, the turbine greets the delegates from 192 countries participating in the negotiations taking place until 18th December.
At this particular location the turbine produces approximately 1.056.000 kWh a year. This is enough to either supply 299 Danish households with emission free electricity, to recharge 44 million iPhones or to drive 7.542.857km in an electric Citröen C1 car. The average household in Denmark consumes 3532 kWh a year while the energy consumption of an iPhone is 0,024 kWh per recharge, and a Citröen electric vehicle consumes 14 kWh/ 100km.
The Vestas V-52 wind turbine measures 72m and has a rotor diameter of 52 m. The turbine was erected February this year and by now the emissions saved amounts to 768 tonnes CO2. The turbine is only temporarily located at the Bella Center and will be taken down by April 2010.
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December 09 2009 | Today’s Intelligent Technologies Can Take Us into the Future
During the COP15 the Global Platform exhibition in Bella Center presents multiple solutions to reducing CO2 emissions. Renewable energy such as wind power, smart grids, building and construction, agriculture, and food production are some of answers how to protect the climate and improve the quality of life.
The right technology and energy sources already exist. If we integrate these technological solutions we can optimize the efficiency of energy production and consumption while meeting the climate challenges.
The Climate Consortium Denmark’s exhibition Global Platform is an open lounge and all delegated and COP15 participants are invited to sit down and use the platform to either relax or enjoy the presentation of selected information and ideas.
The Global Platform is hosting a series of interesting side-events during the COP15, where a large number of global high-profile decision makers share their views on a number of climate change issues.
Large-scale use of renewable technology is the focus of the side-event Tuesday December 15th, 10.00 – 11.30 AM, presented by The Danish Wind Industry Association and Climate Consortium Denmark.
Denmark has already integrated more than 20 pct. wind energy and has an ambition of integrating 50 pct by 2020. This session focuses on key aspects of high penetration levels of wind energy in the electricity sector such as regulatory priorities, alignment with economic development and public money, and intelligent grid management enabling more than 50 pct. renewable energy penetration.
For more details see the full Global Platform programme here
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December 09 2009 | COP15 Delegates Send Home Wind Messages
Wind power works in more than 70 countries and some of the success stories now reach the whole world. Delegates are invited to send home wind power post cards displaying wind success stories from 12 countries. The Wind Power Works campaigners will then mail them.
A lot of people all over the world will receive a postcard from one of the participants at COP15 in the following days. Some might just want to send a few sweet words to their loved ones and others might send greetings to their colleagues back at the office. The possibilities are many.
The delegates have been offered the postcards at the Wind Power Works Exhibition booth and outside the Bella Center in the early morning together with a cup of coffee.
As a countdown to COP15 the Wind Power Works campaign has each month launched a newwind farm sitetogether with impressing pictures on the website and in the newsletter showing that wind power works in every part of the world. The goal has been to underline the fact that wind power is clean, reliable, and fast to deploy and finally that it makes economic sense. Now the beautiful pictures cover twelve postcards allowing the COP15 participant to keep in contact with friends, family, colleagues, and others.
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December 08 2009 | Boat tour a success
Today, the first boat tour during COP15 almost overreached its capacity as more people than anticipated joined the trip to Middelgrunden Offshore Wind Farm.
Over 70 people were gathered on the boat tour and the participants were primarily journalists from Africa and
On the trip to Middelgrunden Offshore Wind Farm DONG Energy and the Danish Wind Industry Association presented the Danish wind story and told the journalist how
The CEO and COO of the Danish Wind Industry Association, Jan Hylleberg and
The picture is from Jan Hylleberg’s multi television interviews. -
December 08 2009 | LM blade generates energy to 5000 households
Right next to the entrance at Bella Center, Copenhagen where the UNFCCC Climate Conference is currently taking place, a 61.5m wind turbine blade is displayed.
The blade is made from glasfiber and polyester and was moulded in LM Glasfibers factory Lunderskov, Denmark.
The technical details of the LM 61.5 P2 wind turbine blade are as follows:
The blade weights 18.8 tons and its max with is 4.6m (15.09feet) at max chord.
The blades are installed on 5MW wind turbines which have a total rotor diameter of 123.3m (414.4feet).
One 5MW turbine generates enough green energy to supply 5000 households with emission free electricity every year. This saves the world from 9000 tons CO2 a year.
The 5MW turbines are installed offshore in Belgium, Germany and Scotland.
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December 08 2009 | Wind industry gears up for high level participation in Copenhagen climate talks
As international climate negotiations kick off in the Danish capital today, the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) has called on governments to agree a legally binding framework for emissions reductions out to 2020. More than 350 wind industry participants have confirmed their participation, including the CEOs of some of the world’s leading wind turbine manufacturers, wind farm operators and developers.“Wind power will play a key role in combating climate change, but we need a clear framework and a price on carbon for the sector to reach its full potential,” said Steve Sawyer, GWEC Secretary General. “All analyses show that the largest contribution to solving the climate issue must come from the private sector, and we stand ready to contribute, but we need a clear, robust and legally binding international framework to do so.”Industry scenarios demonstrate that wind energy can save as much as 10 bn tons of CO2 by 2020. However, investor confidence is essential to reaching this goal, and stable long-term policies based on stringent and binding international targets are necessary to create a favourable investment climate for wind energy and other renewables.“Our activities at COP15 mark the culmination of the wind industry’s 2009 ‘Wind Power Works’ campaign, which aims at increasing the industry’s visibility during the climate negotiations and media coverage around climate change,” said Angelika Pullen, GWEC Communications Director. “With the strong presence at the Copenhagen summit, we are adding weight to the wind industry’s calls for a robust climate agreement, and improved carbon markets. We hope that the sector's voice will be heard strongly and clearly.”NOTES TO EDITORS:
A great variety of activities will emphasise the benefits of wind power technology at the COP15 and highlight the strong presence of the industry.These include boat tours to the Middelgrunden offshore wind farm off Copenhagen harbour, a wind turbine and a wind turbine blade which are exhibited at the conference centre, as well as series of press conferences, side events and social gatherings.
For more details on the wind industry’s activities at COP15 and daily updates from the negotiations, please visit http://www.windpowerworks.net/cop15/events_cop15.html.Angelika Pullen - Communications Director
Global Wind Energy Council
angelika.pullen(at)gwec.net
+32 473947966 -
December 07 2009 | Pachauri : The world has benefitted from wind power
“There is now adequate scientific and technological experience to show that there are a wide variety of national policies and instruments available to governments to create the incentives for mitigation action. There is no better real life laboratory in this field to learn from than our host country, Denmark.” These were the opening words by Dr. R. Pachauri, Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, today at the welcoming ceremony of the COP15 in Copenhagen.“Through a series of actions and enlightened policies Denmark has brought about a revolution in wind energy technology and its deployment,” Dr. Pachauri continued and noted that today modern Danish wind turbines produce 100 times as much electricity as the first wind turbines manufactured in 1980 did.“Based on experience of Denmark and other countries like Germany it would be correct to assume that a move to renewable sources of energy would prove that employment generation would take place with enhanced economic output,” Dr. Pachauri said and elaborated his point by telling how Danish exports of wind technology has grown from 200 MW a year to 3.600 MW a year over the last decade.“The world has benefited, therefore, from technology that is economically attractive and state of the art while Denmark has generated jobs and revenues in this sector,” he continued and urged for action to asses the mounting problems with global warming, since the existing technology already provides a basis for undertaking action while delay would only lead to cost in economic and human terms. -
December 07 2009 | Welcome to COP15
COP15 officially opened today and even though it is the first day with all its practicalities, the wind industry began its first activities in the early morning.
From 8-10 am people were welcomed by Coffee Ole who served the delegates arriving by Metro a “COP of coffee” with help from delegates from GWEC and the Danish Wind Industry Association.
During the next two weeks Wind Power Works will host a number of events and will be appropriately represented at COP15 in the Bella Center. Each morning you will be met with hot coffee outside the Metro station at Bella Center from 8-10 am and each day delegates will be able to visit the Wind Power Work exhibition inside the Bella Center.
The wind industry will also be present at The Climate Consortium's Global Platform exhibition on a daily basis. The Climate Consortium is a public-private partnership between the Danish state and five major business organizations, including the Danish Wind Industry Association (DWIA). On Global Platform in the Bella Center delegates can visit the interactive display of climate change technologies and learn about the role of wind energy!
Boat tours and Bright Green
On the 8th, 10th, 11th, 14th, and 15th there will be boat tours to Middelgrunden Offshore Wind Farm. This is a unique opportunity for journalists and delegates to experience an offshore wind farm in action! Middelgrunden is located just off Copenhagen and consists of twenty 2 MW wind turbines. Since 2000, the turbines have produced 100 GWh. Some of the boat tours have already reached full capacity, so don't you hesitate but register now for a tour at the Wind Power Works exhibition booth.Saturday and Sunday, the 12th and 13th of December, you can experience the Bright Green exhibition at Forum. Here is an experience park showing the technological solutions to the climate change challenges.
Wind Power Works cocktail reception
You have the opportunity to join us in one of Copenhagen's finest 18thcentury palaces for fun drinks, delicious food & funky music on December 15th from 7.00-10.00 pm! Don't miss our spectacular photo exhibition, showcasing wind energy projects in action in 12 countries around the world.Besides these events there will be a high level dinner, side events and much more activities to enjoy throughout the COP15.
Read more
Wind Power Works activities during COP15 -
November 02 2009 | Denmark: The world's largest offshore wind farm built of the coast of Denmark
The world’s largest offshore wind farm was opened in September 2009 off the coast of Denmark.Producing enough power for 200,000 Danish homes, the 91 Siemens wind turbines at Horns Rev 2 in the North Sea also show that a variable source of power can make a substantial contribution to electricity demand.Wind energy is Denmark’s most abundant natural energy source. Already now, the country gets approximately 20% of its electricity from wind power. This is expected to rise to 30% by 2012.Energinet.dk manages the electricity system by careful planning and intelligent control so that troughs and peaks in wind power supply are balanced out effectively. This includes making calculations of expected wind generation and ensuring that other power sources are available when the wind drops.“In the coming years Denmark is going to have even more offshore wind farms,” said Energinet.dk’s Torben Glar Nielsen at the opening of Horns Rev 2 this autumn. “This requires both a more robust and more flexible electricity network, and is a very exciting challenge for us."“Expansion of wind power is a cornerstone of Dong Energy’s strategy in the years ahead,” said Fritz Schur, chairman of the company’s Supervisory Board. “Establishing Horns Rev 2 is an important milestone in our gradual transition from conventional to green power generation.”Contacts:Global Wind Energy Council - Angelika Pullen: +32 473 947 966Dong Energy – Andreas Krog: +45 9955 9552Danish Wind Industry Association – Rune Birk Nielsen: +45 3373 0339 -
October 01 2009 | China: Twin challenges of rising energy demand and climate change forge wind power industry
China is facing two main challenges: a spiralling energy demand to fuel its fast growing economy, and equally spiralling greenhouse gas emissions, which make it the world’s biggest emitter ahead of the US. The Chinese government has recognised that renewable energy can provide a solution to both of these problems, and encouraged the creation of a strong wind power industry. In the past four years, wind power capacity in China increased tenfold to reach over 12 GW by the end of 2008, the forth largest capacity in the world. In 2009, an addition of a further 10 GW is expected, and China will soon be challenging the US as the biggest wind energy market. China is expected to reach a minimum of 100 GW (Gigawatts) of wind power by 2020.The 150 MW wind park at Rudong in Jiangsu Province is just one of many illustrating this unparalleled growth in wind power.Completed in 2008 on the coastline of the Yellow Sea, Rudong produces enough power for about 300,000 Chinese households. It was developed by the Longyuan Electric Power Group with wind turbines supplied by GE Energy.Wind farms like Rudong are registered under the Clean Development Mechanism, part of the Kyoto Protocol agreement on climate change, in order to generate carbon credits. These credits, which reflect the amount of carbon dioxide saved, have been purchased in turn by a ‘developed country’, contributing to the project’s economic viability.If China were to achieve the 200 GW of wind power capacity projected by the Global Wind Energy Council’s ‘advanced scenario’ for 2020, then an annual total of 360 million tonnes of CO2 would be saved.China has also created a domestic manufacturing industry for wind turbines. Around ten major companies now produce enough machines to satisfy most of the Chinese market, and are beginning to export to the rest of the world. Overall, over 70 companies are now involved in wind energy domestically.Announcing the launch of the Rudong project, GE Energy’s then wind business manager, Robert Gleitz, said: "The Chinese government's leadership in encouraging new renewable energy development will bring both cleaner power alternatives and new economic development".
NOTES TO EDITORS• The 150 MW Rudong II Concession wind park comprises 100 turbines of 1.5 MW capacity manufactured by US company GE Energy. It is located on the coast of Jiangsu Province.
• With an annual electricity output of 333 GWh, the wind farm avoids the emission of an estimated 234,000 tons of carbon dioxide. -
September 01 2009 | Spain: Regional Economic Development Spurs Wind Power Success
Maranchon wind farm Complex, in the central region of Castilla la Mancha, is helping to make Spain the third most successful country for wind power in the world. This success has been supported by a policy of strong regional economic development.
Maranchon was the largest wind development in Europe when it opened in 2006, bringing together seven linked wind farms with a combined capacity of 208 Megawatts (MW). The wind turbines are owned and operated by the world’s largest wind farm operator Iberdrola Renewables, which now owns a global installed capacity of more than 10,000 MW. The company calculates that this quantity can avoid the emission of 8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.
Like other Spanish regions, Castilla la Mancha encourages renewable energy because it helps to reduce the region’s output of polluting gases. It also creates jobs and new economic activity.Castilla la Mancha already has more installed wind power capacity than any other region.
The regional government’s aim is that every household will receive its electricity from a renewable source by 2012.
Nationally, wind power already produces 11.5% of Spain’s electricity from about 16,700 MW of turbines. In order to meet European Union targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, this will need to increase to 40,000 MW by 2020.
NOTES TO EDITORS- The 208 MW Maranchon wind farm Complexcomprises 104 turbines of 2 MW capacity manufactured by Gamesa Eolica.- With an annual electricity output of 500 GWh, the wind farm avoids the emission of 430,000 tons of carbon dioxide.
Contacts:Global Wind Energy Council - Angelika Pullen: +32 473 947 966
Iberdrola Renovables – Sonia Franco +34 91 3257595 / Vicente Trullench: +34 91 325 7612 -+34 686 45 64 71
Spanish Wind Energy Association, AEE – Alberto Cena: +34 91 745 1276
Read the full story -
August 03 2009 | United Kingdom: Offshore wind farms could power all British homes
The UK government projects that offshore wind power could be contributing up to 33 Gigawatts (GW) of installed generating capacity by 2020, enough to meet the electricity demand of every home in the country.The United Kingdom’s windswept coastline makes it the ideal location for exploiting the vast quantities of energy available offshore. Winds blow stronger and more consistently out at sea, producing up to 25% more energy than on land.Burbo Bank, off the north west coast, is one of several large offshore wind parks built since 2003 which have pushed the UK into the leading position among the countries of Northern Europe exploring this new frontier for pollution-free energy.Its 25 large turbines, with a total installed capacity of 90 Megawatts, can produce enough electricity in a year to meet the annual consumption of 80,000 households.The Department of Energy and Climate Change estimates that meeting the UK’s 33 GW target will require 5-7,000 more wind turbines, for which it has identified suitable locations.Burbo Bank is owned and operated by Dong Energy, a Danish company making major investments in offshore wind farms around Europe. Dong is also a partner in the consortium planning to build the 1,000 MW London Array wind park in the Thames Estuary. The first turbines are scheduled to be operating in time for the 2012 London Olympics.At the inauguration of Burbo Bank in 2007, Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks said that the UK had ”some of the best wind resources in Europe, if not the world. We have an opportunity to be a global leader in the offshore wind farm sector and the potential economic and environmental benefits are enormous. If we are to achieve our renewables aims we must get more offshore wind farms built.” -
June 15 2009 | Climate Change: There is a solution... Pass it on
The global wind energy industry has launched a new public awareness campaign called “Wind Power Works… Pass it on” which aims to catalyze wide spread support for wind energy and call on policy makers to commit to significant carbon emissions reductions to combat climate change.
As the countdown to Copenhagen continues and fears grow that the Climate Summit will not make the deep cuts in carbon emissions required, the new campaign sounds a more positive note. Launched on the Global Wind Day (15 June), the campaign urges people all round the world to generate the power of change and to send a message to world leaders that they can make the deep cuts needed and still power the world.
The ‘Wind Power Works… Pass it on’ campaign involves downloading a virtual wind turbine onto users’ desktops to show their support for wind energy and deep emissions cuts. These turbines will demonstrate how many homes can be powered and how much CO2 can be saved through wind energy. The more wind turbines downloaded, the stronger the call to world leaders to agree the reductions necessary to avert climate change and to make wind energy part of the solution.
Steve Sawyer, Secretary General of the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) said, “We have the technology to transform the global energy system, and we can do so rapidly. That’s an important message for our leaders to hear so that they commit to making the cuts so desperately required, and we want it delivered in the strongest terms possible.”
Wind power is the only clean technology which is ready now and which can be immediately and rapidly deployed virtually anywhere in the world. It is already the fastest growing new generation source both in Europe and the US, and has the capacity to provide up to 12% of the world’s energy needs by 2020, saving over 10 billion tons of CO2 in the process.
The campaign wind turbine game can be downloaded at www.windpowerworks.net/passiton, which also houses a short video and campaign material. The campaign is also supported on Facebook and Twitter and encourages people to start their own virtual wind farms or join existing ones and to pass the idea on. All campaign material will be available in English, French, Spanish and Chinese.
Pass it on here -
June 02 2009 | Australia: Conserving Wildlife Habitats in the Land of the Roaring Forties
Woolnorth wind farm on the north-west tip of the island of Tasmania is the largest operating wind farm in the southern hemisphere. Set amid a stunning location of panoramic sea views and exotic wildlife, the area is swept by the famous Roaring Forties winds, which were already known to sailors in the 17th century. Records at the nearby Cape Grim show that the air is among the purest to be found on anywhere on earth.Many unusual species inhabit the region. Among them are the Orange-bellied Parrot, a dazzling green and blue bird with its distinctive orange belly patch, and Wedge-tailed Eagles. There are also sites of both European and Aboriginal cultural significance.The developers of the Woolnorth wind farm have ensured the conservation of this treasured habitat while clean electricity continues to be generated for Australian homes and businesses. Extensive field surveys were conducted before the turbines were constructed to make sure that the site’s wildlife significance was fully reflected in the plans. The wind farm’s owners have since undertaken a comprehensive management regime aimed at minimising the risk of eagles colliding with the blades. They have also established a trust fund to help conserve the habitats of the endangered Orange-bellied Parrot.Every year the 62 wind turbines located at Woolnorth generate about 450 Gigawatt hours of electricity and avoid the emission of 560,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.Woolnorth is just one of more than 40 wind farms which are contributing to a reduction in Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. The Australian government is now committed to a target for 20% of the country’s electricity to come from renewable sources, including wind power, by 2020.NOTES TO EDITORS-
The 140 MW Woolnorth wind farm comprises 62 turbines, both 1.75 MW and 3 MW capacity machines manufactured by Danish company Vestas.
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With an annual electricity output of 450 GWh, the wind farm avoids the emission of 560,000 tons of carbon dioxide each year.
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April 30 2009 | Wind energy boom revives economy in oil state Texas
Texas has historically been known as an oil rich state. Now it has become the leading centre for the wind energy boom that has been sweeping the United States.By the end of last year over 7,100 MW of wind power capacity was operating in Texas, more than any other US state.The Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center, spread across a vast area of West Texas, is the largest in the world. Through three stages of development it has reached a total installed capacity of 735 Megawatts (MW), with 421 individual wind turbines. On average, it can supply enough electricity for 180,000 Texan homes.The wind farm has helped boost employment in West Texas, which was in economic decline until the wind industry arrived. In Nolan County, where many of the Horse Hollow turbines are located, the oil wells began to dry up in the 1990s, and by 2004, 20% of the population was living in poverty, according to the US Census Bureau.
Wind power has offered a new lease of life to the area. A study by the community-based West Texas Wind Energy Consortium found that over 1,100 of Nolan County's roughly 15,000 residents now have jobs directly related to wind energy. Wind energy has also benefited the county in other ways: With more wind farms coming into operation, Nolan County’s property tax base has already expanded from $500 million in 1999 to $2.4 billion in 2008. The increased tax revenues are being spent on new roads and school renovations. Wind power is growing rapidly in Texas, and at least one new project there may surpass Horse Hollow in size in 2009.
Overall in the US, around 85,000 people are employed in the wind industry today, which represents a 70% increase from 50,000 a year ago. They hold jobs in areas as varied as turbine component manufacturing, construction and installation of wind turbines, wind turbine operations and maintenance, legal and marketing services, and more. Last year alone, 55 new wind industry facilities opened, expanded or were announced in the US.
Last year the US installed a world record capacity of wind power – 8,300 MW. “The US wind energy industry’s performance in 2008 confirms that wind is an economic and job creation dynamo,” says Denise Bode, Chief Executive of the American Wind Energy Association, “ready to deliver on the President’s call to double renewable energy production in three years.”Wind energy is flourishing in the United States as a result of both national and state incentives--. In Texas, a Renewables Portfolio Standard (also referred to as Renewable Electricity Standard) stipulates that that 5,800 MW of the state’s electricity generation capacity must use renewable sources (mainly wind) by 2015. At the national level, the recent relative stability of the federal production tax credit helped spur dramatic growth across the U.S. What is needed now is a national Renewable Electricity Standard to create a long-term, stable market for capital investment in wind power and other renewable energy sources.A study by the US Department of Energy concludes that 20% of the country’s electricity could come from wind energy by 2030. -
April 09 2009 | Governments’ lack of resolve risks Copenhagen climate agreement
Bonn, 9 April 2009. As the first negotiations of 2009 on the road to Copenhagen drew to a close in Bonn, the Global Wind Energy Council called on industrialised countries to show leadership in the fight against climate change.“With each passing day, there is new evidence that climate change is happening faster than expected, and new science underlining the importance of urgent action to reduce emissions”, said GWEC Secretary General Steve Sawyer. “Rich countries must act first, and the rest of the world will follow. The current game of ‘chicken’ between the north and the south is just not acceptable.”
Wind energy can and must play a key role in reaching the ambitious emissions reduction targets that are required. “The technologies are available to achieve serious cuts now, and the wind industry is ready and willing to play its part. But we need clear signals from governments and a global framework in order to realise the full potential of existing clean technologies to fight climate change now,” said Sawyer.
Industrialised countries failed for the second meeting in a row to identify their emissions reductions objectives. Although the European Union and a few others have put numbers on the table, most of the rest of the industrialised countries have not.
The highlight of the session was the introduction of the ‘new look United States delegation’, which began what will be a long process of re-integration into the international fight against climate change. GWEC welcomed the new approach by the US, but urged them to move as quickly as possible to develop their policies in order to be able to join a new agreement in Copenhagen in December.
Also, an emerging coalition of small island states and least developed countries, all of whom face the worst threats in the near term from the impacts of climate change, introduced new language which takes into account the latest science. Keeping global mean temperature rise to less than 1.5C would be necessary to save these countries from either sinking beneath the waves or turning into deserts in the coming decades. This would require a robust agreement with very deep emissions reduction targets for industrialised countries, strong action by major emerging economies and a global carbon market to facilitate the finance for the rapid uptake of clean energy technologies and to incentivise energy efficiency.
“Governments have the power to fundamentally transform our energy system by opting for renewables. This would not only help the climate, but in the process also build new industries and create millions of new jobs for the 21 century,” concluded Sawyer. “But they are now paying the price for having wasted years in delay and indecisiveness, and there is enormous pressure now to come up with something in time for Copenhagen. Let’s hope that new leadership can be found in capitals to craft a response commensurate with the threat.” -
April 09 2009 | Germany: Community investment drives wind power success
Community investment has helped Germany to become the most successful nation for wind power in Europe.At Marienkoog, in North Friesland, dozens of local people have taken a share in their local wind farm and watched the turbines being constructed for the benefit of the neighbourhood.When the older wind turbines at Marienkoog were replaced by fewer more powerful models, people living nearby were offered a third of the shares in the ‘repowering’ project. Altogether, in the Galmsbüll Bürgerwindpark (citizens’ wind farm), of which Marienkoog is part, a total of 240 residents invested €5 million. This represented 40% of the district’s adult population.One result has been general acceptance of the new taller wind turbines in the landscape of this mainly farming region close to the North Sea coast. The local council also receives income from the business tax paid by the wind farm.Last year, the seven Siemens 3.6 MW (Megawatt) turbines at Marienkoog produced more electricity than expected, generating a good return for the investors.“We have a very strong relationship with the communities in North Friesland,” says Jess Jessen, a farmer and one of the originators of the Marienkoog scheme. “If you have so many local people involved you get greater acceptance.”Projects like this have enabled Germany to maintain its position as one of the leading countries for the development of wind power. At the end of 2008 there was a total capacity of almost 24,000 MW in operation. The German Wind Energy Association says that more than twice as much – 55,000 MW – could be turning by 2020, supplying a quarter of the country’s electricity demand every year.NOTES TO EDITORS
- The 25 MW Marienkoog wind farm comprises 7 turbines with a capacity of 3.6 MW manufactured by Siemens.
- The wind farm is owned by a combination of farmers and local residents who have invested in the project.
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With an annual electricity output of 78 GWh, the wind farm avoids the emission of 62,400 tons of carbon dioxide each year.
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February 27 2009 | France: Wind power is fastest growing power technology
The St Aubin wind farm in the Meuse department of northern France is a symbol of what renewable energy can contribute to one of Europe’s largest economies.
Its ten 2.3 Megawatt (MW) Nordex wind turbines, operating since 2008, represent just one of many similar projects constructed in this rural district over the past few years. So successful has wind power been in Meuse that it already contributes more electricity than is consumed by every household in the department.
Similar experiences are being repeated all over France, from the champagne district near the border with Germany to the hilly ‘massif central’ in the centre of the country.
Wind power is now France’s fastest growing energy source. From a relatively slow start at the beginning of the new millennium, a record level of new wind power installations was added in 2008, adding 950 MW to the French wind energy fleet. This represented about 60% of all new power generation capacity added last year, and also contributed to making wind energy the first choice for new power production in the whole European Union.
France’s total installed wind capacity now stands at just over 3,400 MW, the fourth largest in Europe. In 2008 these 2,500 wind turbines produced 5,600 GWh of electricity. The French wind sector also provides employment for 7,000 people.
France has been energised into taking wind power more seriously by its commitment under the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive. This recently laid down that renewable energy should make up 23% of the national energy mix by 2020, up from just over 10% in 2005.
Wind power developers have been encouraged by the introduction of a ‘feed-in tariff’ which ensures that wind farm operators are paid a premium for their electricity generation, in recognition of the technology’s environmental benefits.
The French government has now established a specific target for wind energy – to reach a level of 25,000 MW by 2020. Of this, 6,000 MW would be constructed offshore.
“The government’s target shows that wind energy has become both competitive and a mature source of energy,” says Marion Lettry of France Energie Eolienne, the French Wind Energy Association. “We are confident that if all interested parties, both local and national, work together with the industry, we can make sure that this target is reached.”
Saint Aubin wind farm is the fourth in a series featured on the “Wind Power Works” website – http://www.windpowerworks.net/ - to illustrate the benefits that wind power brings to countries and communities around the world.
Given the strong growth of the French market, it makes it a good choice hosting for this year’s European Wind Energy Conference (EWEC), Europe’s leading wind energy event, which will take place in Marseille from 16-19 March 2009. -
February 05 2009 | The Wind Day goes global - promoting wind energy around the world
New website and photo contest launched today
Brussels, 4 February 2009. On 15 June 2009, five continents will be united by events, conferences, parties and contests celebrating and promoting wind energy as a clean, infinite, no-fuel energy source. To initiate the six month run-up to the event, a wind energy themed photo contest and an all-new website are being launched today.
The idea of the Global Wind Day is based on the success of the European Wind Day, organised by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) over the past couple of years. In June 2008, over 90,000 citizens joined in with activities taking place across 20 EU countries, from painting competitions for children to energy workshops, organized during the 2008 European Wind Day. 185 wind farms opened their doors for family and information days.
This year, EWEA is joining forces with the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) to coordinate the Global Wind Day, which will support GWEC’s Wind Power Works campaign (www.windpowerworks.net).
“Wind energy has taken off in many countries around the world, so the time has come to roll out the Wind Day to become a global event. We have to stand united in promoting wind energy to combat climate change and to meet growing energy demand,” said Steve Sawyer, Secretary General of GWEC. “While the challenges differ from market to market, the wind industry everywhere needs the support of local authorities, communities and citizens to fully exploit worldwide wind resources, and the Wind Day is a great way to raise awareness.”
“Wind energy already delivers electricity to millions of people around the world”, added Christian Kjaer, EWEA Chief Executive, “but to fully exploit this available technology more people must be made aware of the huge benefits it offers: energy independence, CO2 savings, avoided fuel costs, green jobs and many others”
The new website, www.globalwindday.org, provides information about the campaign and the network of wind energy associations, industry actors and stakeholders that will be organising public events on 15 June.
In partnership with Fotki and Samsung, and supported by National Geographic, the Global Wind Day will feature a wind energy photo contest. The competition is open to anyone who can show us the technology as it has never been seen before.
A selection of images will be exhibited during the Wind Day, with the photographers receiving Wind Day gifts. Visit www.globalwindday.org or www.fotki.com to find out more, and remember the deadline of 30 April 2009! -
February 05 2009 | US and China in race to the top of global wind industry
The United States passed Germany to become world #1 in wind power installations, and China’s total capacity doubled for the fourth year in a row. Total worldwide installations in 2008 were more than 27,000 MW, dominated by the three main markets in Europe, North America and Asia.
Global wind energy capacity grew by 28.8% last year, even higher than the average over the past decade, to reach total global installations of more than 120.8 GW at the end of 2008. Over 27 GW of new wind power generation capacity came online in 2008, 36% more than in 2007.
“These figures speak for themselves: there is huge and growing global demand for emissions-free wind power, which can be installed quickly, virtually everywhere in the world. Wind energy is the only power generation technology that can deliver the necessary cuts in CO2 in the critical period up to 2020, when greenhouse cases must peak and begin to decline to avoid dangerous climate change,”said Steve Sawyer, Secretary General of GWEC. “The 120 GW of global wind capacity in place at the end of 2008 will produce 260 TWh and save 158 million tons of CO2 every year.”
Wind energy is now an important player in the world’s energy markets. The global wind market for turbine installations in 2008 was worth about 36.5bn EUR or 47.5bn US$.
“Wind power is often the most attractive option for new power generation in both economic terms and in terms of increasing energy security, not to mention the environmental and economic development benefits. Volatile fossil fuel prices and unreliable supply policies from fossil fuel rich countries increase the risk of relying on conventional sources for power production,” said GWEC’s Chairman, Prof. Arthouros Zervos. “The wind industry also creates many new jobs: over 400,000 people are now employed in this industry, and that number will be in the millions in the near future.”
The leading markets in terms of new installed capacity in 2008 were the US and China. New US wind energy installations totalled 8,358 MW for a total installed capacity of 25,170 MW the US has now officially overtaken Germany (23,902 MW) as number one in wind power. Europe and North America are running neck-to-neck, with about 8.9 GW each of new installed capacity in 2008, with Asia closely following with 8.6 GW.
The massive growth in the US wind market in 2008 increased the nation’s total wind power generating capacity by 50%. The new wind projects completed in 2008 account for about 42% of the entire new power-producing capacity added in the US last year, and created 35,000 new jobs, for a total of 85,000 employed in the sector in the US.
At year’s end, however, financing for new projects and new orders for turbines and components slowed to a trickle as the financial crisis began to hit the wind sector.
“The U.S. wind energy industry turned in a record-shattering performance in 2008, establishing wind as one of the leading sources of new electricity generation in the country and a job creation dynamo,” said AWEA CEO Denise Bode. “At the same time, it is clear that the economic and financial downturn have begun to take a serious toll on new wind development. We look forward to working with President Obama and the new Congress on policies to restore the industry’s vital momentum and achieve President Obama’s goal of doubling renewable energy production in three years.”
The growth in Asia’s markets has also been breathtaking; close to a third of all new capacity in 2008 was installed on the Asian continent. In particular, the wind energy boom is continuing in China, which once again doubled its installed capacity by adding about 6.3 GW, reaching a total of 12.2 GW.
“The Chinese wind energy market is going from strength to strength, and has once again doubled in size compared to 2007, reaching over 12 GW of total installed capacity,” said Shi Pengfei, Vice President of the Chinese Wind Energy Association (CWEA). “The outlook for the coming years is also very healthy.”
In its response to the financial crisis, the Chinese government has identified the development of wind energy as one of the key economic growth areas.
“In 2009, new installed capacity is expected to nearly double again, which will be one third or more of the world’s total new installed capacity for the year,” said Li Junfeng, Secretary General of the Chinese Renewable Energy Industry Association (CREIA).
At this rate, China would be well on its way to overtake Germany and Spain to reach second place in terms of total wind power capacity in 2010. China would then have met its 2020 target of 30 GW ten years ahead of time.
The growing wind power market in China has also encouraged domestic production of wind turbines and components, and the Chinese manufacturing industry is becoming increasingly mature, stretching over the whole supply chain.
“Now, the supply is starting to not only satisfy domestic demand, but also meet international needs, especially for components,” said Li Junfeng. “In 2009, Chinese companies will start to enter the UK and Japanese markets, and orders for 200 blades have already been placed. There are also ambitions for exploring the US market in the coming years.”
In Europe, almost 8.9.GW worth of new wind turbines brought total wind power generation capacity up to nearly 66 GW. This makes wind power the leading power source for new generation capacity, according to the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA). While in the past, European growth was primarily spurred by the established markets in Germany, Spain and Denmark, 2008 saw a much more balanced expansion, led by France, the UK and Italy.
“The European figures show that wind energy is the undisputed number one choice in Europe’s efforts to move towards clean, indigenous renewable power”, said Christian Kjaer, CEO of EWEA. “Wind energy is an example of an intelligent investment that puts EU citizens’ money to work in their own economies rather than transferring it to a handful of fuel-exporting nations”, commented Kjaer. “Investing in wind energy means supporting technology leadership, climate protection, energy independence, commercial opportunities and jobs.”
“We’re on track to meeting our target of saving 1.5 billion tons of CO2 per year by 2020”, concluded Steve Sawyer, “but we need a strong, global signal from governments that they are serious about moving away from fossil fuels and protecting the climate. As positive outcome to the climate negotiations throughout this year, resulting in a new global agreement in Copenhagen in December, is of fundamental importance and will send the kind of signal that the industry, investors and the finance sector need for wind power to reach its full potential.” -
February 02 2009 | Brazil: Wind energy as perfect complement to hydro power
Wind power is providing a vital service for
Over 85% of the Brazilian demand for electricity is met by large hydroelectric power stations. In the dry season, however, storage capacity can drop dangerously low. Wind power can compensate for this because the wind is strongest at exactly the same time of year.
This is one of the main reasons behind the Brazilian government’s PROINFA incentive programme for renewable energy. PROINFA (Programme of Incentives for Alternative Energy Sources) supports the construction of wind farms by offering long term contracts for their electricity output at a premium price.
The first large scale wind farm to be built under PROINFA was at Rio do Fogo in the north-east of
The Rio do Fogo wind farm not only helps
The national Eletrobras power utility, which administers the PROINFA programme, expects up to 1,200 MW of wind power capacity to be commissioned under the scheme, but in reality, progress has been slow. Although the potential is substantial and the benefits obvious, only 342 MW of wind capacity were operating in
“There’s a tremendous potential for wind power in
NOTES TO EDITOR
- The 49 MW Rio do Fogo wind farm comprises 62 turbines with a capacity of 800 kW.
- The wind farm was constructed and is operated by Enerbrasil, part of the Spanish power company Iberdrola Renovables. Iberdrola Renovables is the world’s biggest wind farm owner, with a total fleet of almost 8,500 MM
- With an annual electricity output of around 130 GWh, Riodo Fogo wind farm avoids the emission of 37,000 tons of carbon dioxide each year (according to emissions factor adopted by the Brazilian National Plan on Climate Change) .
Brazilian Wind Energy Association (ABEEolica) – Pedro Perrelli: +55 11 3616 6403
Global Wind Energy Council, Rue d'Arlon 63-65, 1040 Brussels, Belgium, Tel: +32 2 400 1029, Fax: +32 2 546 1944, Email: info@gwec.net