European Wind Day 2008 Sunday 15 June

The second edition of the European Wind Day will take place on 15 June 2008 across Europe. In the wake of last year’s successful event, the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) is organising a pan-European campaign to highlight the benefits of wind energy – an infinite, renewable and indigenous energy source.

Hundreds of activities will take place simultaneously across European regions and cities. Wind power experts will explain the benefits of this unlimited energy source, show how wind turbines work and discuss why we need to develop wind energy on a huge scale if we want to turn the current climate and energy crisis into an opportunity.

“The European Wind Day is designed to raise awareness of the huge benefits that come from harnessing this unlimited energy source and highlight its popularity amongst the general public” said Christian Kjaer, EWEA’s Chief Executive.

18 countries have already confirmed their participation in this year´s Wind Day and are planning to organise events such as wind farm inaugurations and open days, concerts, conferences, information days with schools, debates, races, contests and much more. Last year, 22 organisers in 18 countries set up more than 150 events including almost 100 wind farm open days. Overall, about 40,000 Europeans participated in the celebrations.

Last years campaign was launched by Commissioner for Energy Andris Piebalgs, who inaugurated the installation of a real size wind turbine on the Schuman roundabout, between the European Commission and Council buildings in Brussels. Commissioner Piebalgs reinforced the message of the European Wind Day when he said that “It is important that each citizen understands why we are doing this [developing wind energy] and why it is necessary.”

This year all the signs indicate that the event will be even bigger and more successful both in terms of the number of activities organised and of the level of participation. The new strap line, ‘discover unlimited power’, matches with the shift of the campaign’s focus from a day of celebration to a day of information, enabling citizens to find out more about wind energy. A new website, with more explanatory elements, is now online: www.windday.eu

When:

15 June 2008

Where:

In all European states, regions, capitals and cities.

Who:

Organiser: European Wind Energy Association (EWEA)

EWEA is the voice of the wind industry, actively promoting the utilisation of wind power in Europe and worldwide.It now has 400 members from 45 countries including manufacturers with more than 90% share of the global wind power market, plus component suppliers, research institutes, national wind and renewables associations, developers, contractors, electricity providers, finance and insurance companies and consultants. This combined strength makes EWEA the world’s largest and most powerful wind energy network.