Wind: 50% of EU electricity in 2050

Press Release

Wind: 50% of EU electricity in 2050

Wind energy will meet 50% of the EU's electricity demand in 2050, top wind
energy personalities told Europe's largest wind energy conference and
exhibition.

Topping the agenda at the opening day of the European Wind Energy Conference
and Exhibition (EWEC 2010) in Warsaw was Europe's long-term energy supply.*

"2050 might seem like a long way off, but the decisions we take today will
have a big impact on our energy supplies in 40 years' time," said Arthouros
Zervos, President of the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA).



With the G8 and EU already committed to an 80% greenhouse gas reduction by
2050, Zervos added: "We can't allow the politicians to make grand statements
and leave the serious decisions to the next generation. Given the long life
of power plants our vision for 2050 has to be reflected in the construction
of new power plants from at least 2020 onwards."



"A fully renewable power sector is the only solution to reaching
80-95% CO2reductions by 2050," he continued. "The remaining carbon
emissions will be
needed for other sectors, such as agriculture."



However, we should be talking about a "renewable energy economy" not a low
carbon one, Professor Zervos said. "Renewable energies can provide 100% of
Europe's power supplies by 2050 without any further contribution from any
so-called low-carbon technologies."



Wind energy is already a mainstream power source in Europe, annual market
growth has been impressive over the past 10 years - 23% on average.
"Realistically, wind can provide 50% of power supplies by 2050 if the
necessary changes to infrastructure and markets are made," said Christian
Kjaer, EWEA's Chief Executive. "The potential is there and the industry is
ready. All we have to do is maintain current growth rates on and offshore. I
am also confident that other renewables can easily meet the other half of
Europe's electricity needs".



"A pan-European grid is the first priority, but a clear vision of, and a
strong political commitment to, the long-term energy mix is also essential."
Kjaer explained that Europe needs to interconnect its electricity networks
as a necessary step towards a truly integrated European electricity market.



An integrated power market is essential for the smart management of
renewable energies, and to lower costs for consumers. "Energy is an
international challenge," concluded Kjaer. "It is astounding that 24 years
after establishing free movement of goods, services, capital and labour, the
EU has not yet established a fifth freedom: free movement of electricity."



Polish Under-Secretary of State, Marcin Korolec, said that in Poland, "wind
energy will develop on land and on sea. The data we have shows that Poland
has optimal wind conditions for the development of wind energy."



"Wind energy will be a very important element of electricity production. It
will provide many new jobs for the Polish economy," he said.

*For more information contact:*
Paolo Berrino, EWEA
paolo.berrino@ewea.org



EWEA is the voice of the wind industry, actively promoting the utilisation
of wind power in Europe and worldwide. It now has over 600 members from
almost 60 countries including manufacturers with a 90% share of the world
wind power market, plus component suppliers, research institutes, national
wind and renewables associations, developers, electricity providers, finance
and insurance companies and consultants.

©European Wind Energy Association - EWEA