15th June: European Wind Energy Day

In Italy the initiative, rich in events and shows, is promoted by Aper

On the 15th of June, “a day dedicated to the wind”, European countries celebrate this important source of energy with events that want to highlight its benefits. The initiative, in its second edition, is also involving our country.

“Wind Energy Day 2008” is part of an information and educational campaign designed by EWEA (European Wind Energy Association) for all European citizens, experts in the sector as well as ordinary people. In order to promote a better knowledge of this new technology, local wind industry operators are called to open their plants to the public and show them how they work. The target is not only to inform people about the advantages of wind energy but also to let them know about the process used to generate it on a large scale. Hundreds of activities have been organized across European countries and different Italian regions and towns will be involved in competitions, walks, public debates and races, all of them coordinated by the Italian Association of Renewable Energy Producers (Aper). To see the interactive Wind Day map and find out what is happening, here is the site address http://www.windday.eu/index.php?id=680.

“The Wind Energy Day – says Fabrizio Tortora, member of the Aper executive board – is certainly an opportunity to make the newly elected government aware of the great potentials of the sector. Through our initiatives we can show the public and our politicians that there are Italian businesses capable of investing on environmental sustainability and renewable energies. I feel confident – he concludes - that the initiatives supported by our members will stimulate the public to get to know more about a sector which is in expansion.” According to Aper, 6 billion kw are annually generated by renewables, which
means that 5 million tons of CO2 are not emitted into the atmosphere.