Wind: 50% of EU Electricity in 2050

Warsaw, Poland, April 20, 2010 (ots/PRNewswire) - 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% CO2 reductions 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 lower the 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."

For more information contact:
Paolo Berrino, EWEA
paolo.berrino@ewea.org
+32-486-277169

ots Originaltext: European Wind Energy Association (EWEA)
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
CONTACT: For more information contact: Paolo Berrino,
EWEA,paolo.berrino@ewea.org, +32-486-277169