INSIGHTS INTO EUROPEAN WINDPOWER

By Roger Rohrs and Jim Bennett

September, 2008

A recent trip to northern Europe highlighted the rapidly growing importance of Renewable Energy and Strong Economies throughout the continent.  The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) outlined its plan for large scale wind energy using new technology and careful planning.  Self sufficiency was a hallmark in the past and wind sustainability will continue supplying energy where it is needed for generations.
 

EWEA believes in developing new clean, renewable electricity capacity to meet future electricity requirements and build a strong European Union (EU) economy by using reliable large scale wind turbines.  Currently EWEA members meet 3.7% of EU electricity demand.  Net generating capacity is forecasted to be 34% by 2020 and 46% by 2030.

The wind industry’s target of 189 GW by 2020 is equivalent to supplying the electricity needs of 107 million average EU households.  It would also create hundreds of thousands of jobs and supply significant economic benefits.
 

 All across Europe, a wide range of events have taken place in over 100 wind farms are open to the public.  In Sweden, photo contests were held.  Older windmills still coexist with modern wind turbines on farm lands.  Modern turbines can help provide clean electricity to vehicles and they can be as stable as rock walls that have existed for many decades.  Portugal provided hot air balloon rides to view the stately turbines from above.  Italy had regattas and boat races while Belgians developed differing exhibitions in train stations around the countryside.

In England, people are being informed how wind farms work and how they benefit communities.  The CEO of BWEA says “If every wind farm in the planning system was approved a further 5 million UK homes could be powered by green electricity.   The majority of the UK people think more wind farms should be built.”

In France, wind energy has proven that it can make a significant contribution to a new energy mix that is green, sustainable and economically advantageous that is demonstrated by these wind farm events.

A SWEDISH PERSPECTIVE ---SOME BRIEF WIND POWER FACTS

1. Wind energy is an excellent complement to hydropower.
2. Offshore wind farms can serve as artificial reefs and prevent over fishing.
3. Wind energy is helping preserve Swedish agriculture.
4. 1 MWh of wind generated electricity can reduce CO2 emissions by 850 kg per year.
5. 8,000 MWh is equal to annual electricity consumption for 400 electrically heated homes.
6. An expansion to 10 TWh of wind power would create approximately 7,000 jobs per year.
7. An increase to 10 TWh of wind energy would require investments of over SEK 50 billion.
8. The level of noise from a wind turbine may not exceed 40dba (comparable to a refrigerator) at the property line.
9. Modern research shows wind turbine risks to birds and fish are exaggerated.