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European Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs took part in
a major international conference on wind energy which is taking
place in Brussels, Belgium from 31 March to 3 April.
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 (Click
Here).
The European Wind Energy Conference (EWEC)
is organised by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA)
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.
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