Last call for journalists to the annual European Wind Energy Conference & Exhibition (EWEC 2010), Warsaw, 20-23 April.

Despite the disruption to air traffic in Europe caused by the volcanic eruption in Iceland, the EWEC 2010 event will take place. EWEC staff are already onsite, or travelling overland, to ensure that the event is being prepared. Please urgently check your travel arrangements and if necessary, make alternative arrangements where possible.

Due to this unfortunate situation, which is out of our control and unpredictable, there may be reduced activities/participation on site.

Organised by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA), EWEC 2010 - Europe's largest combined wind energy conference and exhibition - brings together business leaders, policy makers and stakeholders from all over Europe to debate key developments in the wind industry.

Among the highlights of the opening day are: the contribution of wind energy to a 100% renewable energy fuelled economy in 2050, and the launch of the new EWEA campaign: “Give Europe a breath of fresh air.”

The main press conference will take place on Tuesday 20 April, at 12:00, immediately after the opening session, in the press conference room. The press conference will be streamed live on the EWEC 2010 website.

Confirmed speakers:

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, Former Prime Minister of Denmark and Chairman, Lindoe Offshore Renewables Centre (LORC), Denmark
Stanislaw Gawlowski, Secretary of State, Ministry of the Environment, Poland (TBC)
OR
Joanna Strzelec-Lobodzinska, Under-secretary of State, Ministry of Economy, Poland (TBC)
Arthouros Zervos, President, European Wind Energy Association (EWEA)
Xabier Viteri, CEO, Iberdrola Renewables and EWEC 2010 Conference chair

A press briefing will take place on Thursday 22 April, at 11:00, in the press room, for the launch of the Wind Barriers report - an EU funded project researching the administrative barriers to wind energy in the EU, including a lead table showing consent times in all EU-27 Member States.

Confirmed speakers:

Christian Kjaer, CEO, European Wind Energy Association (EWEA)
Sune Strøm, Chief Economist, Danish Wind Industry Association (DWIA)

The European Renewable Energy Council (EREC) is organising a wind industry VIP photo call in support for 100% renewables by 2050, on Wednesday 21 April, at 15:30, at the EREC stand (contact person for this event: Douglas Padreca-Ceratti padreca-ceratti@erec.org).

Furthermore, other press briefings are being organised by several EWEA member companies. A full calendar will be provided in the press room.

All journalists will have free access to EWEC 2010. A fully equipped press room will be available.

Broadcast-standard videos highlighting the main activities at EWEC will be made available on request.