"Renewable energy for more social justice"

WWEC2011 opened: Speakers highlight importance of renewable energy for economic growth and green jobs

International Labour Organisation presents first results of a study on job potential requirements in renewable energy

By Stefan Gsänger

Cairo (WWEA) – 500 delegates from all over the world have attended the opening ceremony of the 10th World Wind Energy Conference & Renewable Energy Exhibition in Cairo.

Several speakers highlighted the huge potentials of wind and other renewable energies for economic growth, sustainable energy supply and the creation of green jobs. At the accompanying exhibition, companies from all wind sectors are presenting their products and services to a very large number of visitors.

Dr. Hassan Younes, Egyptian Minister of Electricity and Energy, thanked the World Wind Energy Association (WWEA) for choosing Egypt as the venue for the WWEC2011.

The Minister called the WWEC2011 an excellent opportunity to upgrade the commitment of his government for renewables energy. He underlined the importance of renewable energy for stabilization of energy prices and for a more sustainable energy supply.

Egypt aims at doubling its share of renewable energy in the electricity supply from now 10% to 20% in 2020, including by encouraging local manufacturing of equipment such as wind turbines.

Dr. Mahmoud Isa, Egyptian Minister of Industry and Foreign Trade, underlined the potential contribution of renewable energy to more social justice.

He said that his government has especially recognized the importance of private investment and has committed itself to liberalize the electricity market for independent power producers.

WWEA President Dr. He Dexin pointed out the great importance that wind energy has already in countries around the world and highlighted the opportunities that wind energy offers in Egypt and the whole MENA region. He thanked the organizations that have supported the WWEC2011, including the governments of Egypt and Germany, the League of Arab States, the European Union, UNESCO and GIZ.

Mr Hans-Josef Fell, Member of the German Parliament, took credit for suggesting that the world should aim at a 100% renewable energy supply for all purposes by 2030.

During the WWEC2011, Mr Con Gregg from the International Labour Organisation ILO presented the first results of a study on job requirements and potentials in the renewable energy industry worldwide. The report on Occupational Skill and Needs in Renewable Energy was done in cooperation with WWEA and the International Renewable Energy Alliance and will be published soon on the ILO website.

More information available from

Stefan Gsänger, Secretary General
World Wind Energy Association
Tel. +49 175 940 1518

WWEA Head Office
Charles-de-Gaulle-Str. 5
53113 Bonn
Germany

Tel. +49-228-369 40-80
Fax +49-228-369 40-84
Skype: StefanGsaenger

sg@wwindea.org
www.WWindEA.org

See also 'China's He Dexin elected chairman of the World Wind Energy Association'

Comments

100 % renewable energy is possible worldwide with today's technologies

Stable frameworks are basic precondition for large scale investment in wind power in developing and industrialized countries

During the second day of the conference the delegates discussed strategies for a transformation towards a 100% renewable energy supply worldwide. During a session of the International Renewable Energy Alliance it was underlined that with technologies now available a 100% renewable energy supply is possible worldwide.

Speakers proposed to analyze and evaluate for that purpose approaches for local self-sufficiewncy and approaches of increased international cooperation. It was mentioned that more decentralized approaches may lead to more social benefits for local communities.

The Sustainable Business Institute (SBI), also launched a study at the WWEC2011 that identified and evaluated investor preferences for framework conditions for wind energy in emerging and developing countries. The study provides insights that can help policy makers to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of their respective national and international support mechanisms. Wind companies expressed very clearly that they prefer long-term stable policies such as primarily feed-in tariff legislation. The study is available for a free download.

WWEA Secretary General Stefan Gsänger: "Wind energy needs stable frameworks, especially in times of global uncertainty, and in developing countries. Experts and practitioners from all over the world have told us again which kind of frameworks they prefer: feed-in tariffs, as successfully implemented mainly in many European countries. The remaining challenge will be to enable governments in the developing world so that they can set up such frameworks as well. WWEA and its partners from the REN Alliance presented recently a proposal for a global feed-in tariff programme, financed from the Green Climate Fund which is currently under discussion to be established at the COP17 in Durban."