European Energy Commissioner opens European Wind Energy Conference.

European Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs took part in a major international conference on wind energy which opened today in Brussels, Belgium. The Commissioner chaired the opening session where together with high-level speakers from the Member States and the European Parliament he discussed the role wind energy will have in achieving the EU's target of reaching its 20% renewable energy (RES) target by 2020.

"In the fight against climate change renewable energy sources are going to play a key role. Reaching the 20% RES target for EU by 2020 will require a substantial contribution from wind energy. It is an area where Europe is in the front worldwide and it should stay that way – wind energy is good for the environment, good for improving energy security and good for the EU economy" declared Commissioner Piebalgs. In his speech he also outlined initial thoughts about an EU Offshore Wind Action Plan planned for adoption by the Commission later in 2008.

The European Wind Energy Conference (EWEC^[1]) is organised by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA^[2]) and is among the most important of its kind, bringing together policy-makers, industry representatives, researchers, project developers and other stakeholders from around the world to discuss topics related to wind energy.

The European Commission has recently made a far-reaching package of proposals that will deliver the European Council's commitments of March 2007 (IP/08/80) to fight climate change and promote renewable energy. The EU aims to demonstrate to its global partners that strong action to fight climate change and increasing the use of renewable energy is compatible with continued economic growth and prosperity.

^[1] http://www.ewec2008.info/index.php?id=442

^[2] http://www.ewea.org

tag: European Energy Commission, wind energy, European Wind Energy Conference, EWEC, European Wind Energy Association, EWEA,