European Wind Day: Sunday 15 June 2008

The second edition of the European Wind Day took place on 15 June 2008 across Europe. In the wake of last year’s successful event, the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) organised the pan-European campaign to highlight the benefits of wind energy – an infinite, renewable and indigenous energy source.

Hundreds of activities took place simultaneously across European regions and cities. Wind power experts explained the benefits of this unlimited energy source, showed how wind turbines work and discussed why we need to develop wind energy on a huge scale if we want to turn the current climate and energy crisis into an opportunity.

“The European Wind Day is designed to raise awareness of the huge benefits that come from harnessing this unlimited energy source and highlight its popularity amongst the general public” said Christian Kjaer, EWEA’s Chief Executive.

18 countries participated in this year’s Wind Day and organised more than 150 events such as wind farm inaugurations and open days, concerts, conferences, information days with schools, debates, races, contests and much more.

Photos and information on all this year's Wind Day events will be online soon.

In 2007, this campaign was launched by Commissioner for Energy Andris Piebalgs, who inaugurated the installation of a real size wind turbine on the Schuman roundabout, between the European Commission and Council buildings in Brussels. Commissioner Piebalgs reinforced the message of the European Wind Day when he said that “It is important that each citizen understands why we are doing this [developing wind energy] and why it is necessary.”

This year's event was even bigger and more successful both in terms of the number of activities organised and of the level of participation. The new strap line, ‘discover unlimited power’, matches with the shift of the campaign’s focus from a day of celebration to a day of information, enabling citizens to find out more about wind energy.