European Wind Energy Association welcomes 500th member

The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) today welcomed its 500th member company, strengthening its position as the most powerful wind energy network in the world. Ingeteam, based in Sarriguren, Spain, became the latest company to join EWEA. The achievement is being celebrated at the Husum WindEnergy trade fair with a party at which as many types of beer as there are EWEA members will be available.

“We are delighted to welcome Ingeteam as our 500th member,” said Christian Kjaer, EWEA Chief Executive. “The strong recent growth in membership reflects the increasing recognition of wind energy as a key solution to the current energy and climate crises and EWEA’s strategic position in the industry.”

Ingeteam manufacture components such as converters and generators for use in wind turbines. Francisco Gambarte, Communication Manager, explained why it was important that his company became EWEA members.

“We wanted to become part of EWEA in order to have a closer and better relationship with EWEA’s 499 other members, all of whom are important players in the wind energy market.

EWEA membership also allows us access to a large number of informative reports and publications, so that we can stay up-to-date on the latest news and debates from the EU renewables sector, as well as the most recent technological developments.”

EWEA was launched 26 years ago, in September 1982, at a time when the global wind energy capacity was just above 100 MW. Today, it is well over 100,000 MW – 1,000 times greater. Over the same period, wind energy’s share of the European electricity supply has climbed from 0.001% to 4%, and it will make a major contribution to the 20% European renewable energy targets for 2020.

“The coming months, with the probable adoption of the Renewable Energy Directive and the revision of the Emissions Trading System, as well as the publication a communication on offshore wind, are crucial for the future role of wind energy in Europe,” said Kjaer. “So it is great to know we have such committed members that we can work with to make sure wind energy gets the political and legislative support it needs.”

About the EWEA:
EWEA is the voice of the wind industry, actively promoting the utilisation of wind power in Europe and worldwide. It now has 500 members from 45 countries including manufacturers with more than a 90% share of the world 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.