WWEC 2008 Opened Today in Kingston, Canada
Community Power and decentralized investment are key for necessary accelerated wind energy deployment.
June 24th, 2008
Kingston/Bonn (June 24 2008) – More than 600 high-level delegates from
40 countries have gathered for the 7th World Wind Energy Conference &
Exhibition Community Power (WWEC 2008) at the St. Lawrence College in
Kingston (Ontario), Canada. In more than 100 presentations, experts
from all sectors of the wind industry discuss recent developments,
successful policies and future prospects of wind energy utilisation in
Canada, North America and worldwide. The conference has a special
focus in enabling decentralised and community power investment.
Dr. Anil Kane, President of the World Wind Energy Association:"Considering today's global energy crisis and the steadily increasing
energy demand from giant countries such as China or India, there is no
alternative for the world community than to shift towards renewable
energy and especially wind energy. Communities and other smaller and
local investors are the key players in order to achieve the necessary
accelerated wind energy deployment on a global basis. We need more
policies that enable such investors to invest in wind power."
The newly appointed Energy Minister of the Province of Ontario and
Deputy Premier, the Hon. George Smitherman, confirmed the commitment
of his ministry and of the Government of Ontario to renewable energy.
The Minister underlined the importance of renewable energy in order to
help ensure the long-term prosperity of the province of Ontario. He
stated that he is open for the proposals to introduce a Green Energy
Act that would substitute the current Standard Offer Programme.
Dale Dolan, Chairman of the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association: "It is a delight to hear the openness of the government to discussions
of a Green Energy Act. This will allow Ontario to provide leadership
in sustainable and therefore renewable energy generation such that we
can provide the next generations with a world we can all be proud of.
It is time for politicians to make important decisions for our
provinces energy future.
Volker Thomsen, Conference Co-chair: "I am delighted and inspired by
the appointment of George Smitherman to this new portfolio of energy
and infrastructure and the fact that he gave his first public address
at this important World Wind Energy Conference. It emphasizes the
Ontario Government's commitment to renewable energy. George Smitherman
has in the last five years proven to be a doer and our expectation is
that he will initiate the next step of policy advancement that will
enable renewable energy to become energy mainstream."
Kai Schlegelmilch, representative of the Environment Ministry of the
Federal Republic of Germany, demonstrated that the success of the
German wind industry has mainly been based on the German Renewable
Energy Act, creating more than 80 000 jobs while business is making
turnover of about seven billion Euro. He underlined the willingness of
the German government to exchange information with other governments
around the world to mutually benefit from the rich experiences gained.
David Suzuki, renowned environmental journalist and founder of the
David Suzuki Foundation expressed the urgency for governments and
communities to act now and go for renewable energy without any further
delay. He said that only a feed-in tariff, like that successfully
demonstrated in Europe will be able to bring about the desired
results.
For more information, visit wwec2008.com
