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Wind : Energy Source of the future

Julian Scola, European Wind Energy Association’s Communication Director

1.Could you briefly present us the European Wind Energy Association?

EWEA is the voice of the wind industry, actively promoting the utilization of wind power in Europe and worldwide. It now has over 650 members from almost 60 countries including manufacturers with a 90% share of the world wind power market, plus component suppliers, research institutes, national wind and renewables associations, developers, electricity providers, finance and insurance companies and consultants.
EWEA analyses and provides information to decision makers and stakeholders about energy, environmental, financial and research issues related to the development of wind energy In Europe, and by closely cooperating with the 27 Member States wind energy associations. Furthermore, EWEA organises the premier European Wind Energy Conference and Exhibition (EWEC) every year, and the European Offshore Wind Energy Conference and Exhibition every second year

2. What are the main challenges and priorities for your association concerning the 20-20-20 European Objective?


The 2009 EU Directive setting binding renewable energy targets is the most important piece of legislation for the promotion of renewables worldwide, and a strong signal to the industry of the course EU decision makers have set in motion for the future of EU energy supplies. The main priority is of course delivering the target and our industry is ready to do that.
The European Commission says that in order to reach the 2020 targets, 34% of electricity will have to be provided by renewable energies in 2020. EWEA predicts that wind power will deliver between 14-18% of EU electricity demand, depending on the demand at that time. This is equal to the power consumption of 131 million average EU households. Furthermore, this amount of wind energy in the electricity system will save 333 million tons of CO2 emissions per year, equivalent to 29% of the EU’s 2020 greenhouse gas reduction target.

However, in order to meet these targets, and in view of the further penetration of renewable energies in the European electricity system, there are significant challenges ahead. The first one is the construction of a pan-European network of grids and interconnections, both onshore and offshore. European grids are outdated, they need both upgrading and new infrastructure in order to accommodate vast amounts of renewable electricity. Only with smart management of the grids and European interconnections will the EU be able to fully exploit the potential of its renewable energy.


The second challenge, following the physical interconnection of electricity grids, is to work towards the building of a truly integrated European power market. Real competition in a European power market will bring down prices and benefit consumers as a whole.

The European Commission, in its Communication “European Strategy for Jobs and Growth”, recognises the need to make progress both on the physical infrastructure and a competitive energy market. We urge Member States to take on these recommendations and take swift action in order to start working towards those objectives.


3/What is the aim of the European Wind Energy Conference 2010 in Warsaw?


EWEC is the most important wind energy event in Europe. It has taken place for many years and it has become a European platform for discussion of financial, policy, technical and scientific issues regarding wind energy, as well as being an important meeting for decision makers and stakeholders. This year EWEC will take place in Warsaw, from 20-24 April. It’s the first time EWEC will be held in one of the Central and Eastern European countries, a signal of the great potential those emerging markets offer for the development of wind energy.

The conference will feature 45 sessions in five themes, with over 500 presentations. The opening session will be attended by speakers at Ministerial level. 2,200 people have already registered for the event.

On the exhibition side, EWEC is the ideal place for business leaders to meet. The 5,000 m2 of exhibition space is already sold out, with over 250 companies participating.


4.What is, in your opinion, the future of the wind energy? Will it become the source of energy of the future?


We intend to continue working closely with decision and policy makers, scientists and researchers, NGOs and all stakeholders involved with energy and environment in order to create a truly renewable energy economy in Europe. Wind will be one of the main contributors to this new era.

Annual installations of wind power in the EU have increased steadily over the last 15 years from 472 MW in 1994 to 10,163 MW in 2009, an annual average market growth of 23%. A total of 74,767 MW is now installed in the European Union, which is equal to some 5% of the EU’s electricity demand and saves CO2 emissions equivalent to taking 25% of EU cars off the roads. The sector is already a mainstream energy source for Europe: it invests €13 billion a year and employs 192,000 people. We want to continue on this path and make wind energy the biggest contributor in terms of zero carbon electricity production in Europe. We will continue building an industry that will invest in the EU, creating wealth and employment for its citizens.

By 2050 we believe we could deliver enough capacity to provide 50% of Europe’s electricity. We have the potential. Several studies demonstrate that Europe could have a 100% renewable energy power sector in a relatively short time. Offshore wind alone, for example, has the potential to power Europe seven times over. The industry is ready to take on this challenge and to maintain Europe’s position as the world driver and leader in wind energy installations. We just have to continue working with the support of European decision makers in order to make this a reality.