In less than a month the global wind energy sector will gather at the 2002 Global Windpower Conference and Exhibition in Paris, under the high patronage of Jacques Chirac, President of the French Republic. This first truly global wind power event, organized by the Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers' Association (IWTMA), the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) and the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA), takes place after another record year for the global wind power industry.

2001 was the best year ever for wind power according to the three associations. A total of 6,500 megawatts (MW) of wind energy generating capacity was added to the grid worldwide in 2001, bringing total wind power capacity in the world to 24,000 MW, enough to meet the energy needs of more than 10 million households. Wind power grew at an average 30% annually over the past five years, establishing wind as the world's fastest-growing energy source.

India passed 1,500 MW of total installed wind power capacity in 2001 and is the third largest wind power producer in the world after Europe and the United States. 240 MW of new wind generating capacity came on-line in India 2001, which became the best year since 1995.

"With the ever increasing threat of global warming, developing countries, countries in transition and the developed countries have to address the issue of Climate Change", says Rakesh Bakshi, Chairman RRB Consultants & Engineers Pvt. Ltd. and Conference Chairman. "We must accord greater recognization to environmentally friendly technologies especially those like Wind Power which are already mature;, established globally and have an excellent preformance track record of more than two decades. The Potential for Wind Energy in India is around 45,000 MW. It is expected that 10 per cent of the proposed capacity addition in India of 100,000 MW in the next 10 years i.e. 10,000 MW would come from the Wind Energy Sector. From zero to 1,500 MW has taken us about 20 years in India but from 1,500 MW to 10,000 MW shall take us ten years. Wind Power has come of age and the next 20 years will see greater and enhanced deployment of Wind Electric Generators as a clean and green source of Power Generation both onshore and offshore", says Mr. Bakshi.

The US, the world's second largest market after Germany, installed nearly 1,700 MW in 2001 - more than double the previous record set in 1999. Total installed capacity increased by more than 60% to 4,261 MW by the end of last year. Utility-scale wind turbines are now operating in more than half of the 50 states.

"The United States is just beginning to tap its vast wind power potential," said Jamie Chapman, President of OEM Development Corporation and Conference Chairman. "We expect that wind will provide 6% of U.S. electricity by 2020. That's a figure that could be easily exceeded with strong and consistent support on the part of our federal and state governments."

"We are proud of the international cooperation we see at work in the American market," added Mr. Chapman. "European and Japanese companies work alongside the American industry on many bids and contracts. An Indian wind turbine manufacturer recently opened a branch in the U.S. This vibrant collaboration is yet another indication that the windpower industry is truly global."

Europe also exceeded most expectations with an increase in installed capacity of more than 35%. With 4,500 MW installed during 2001, total wind power capacity in Europe now surpasses 17,000 MW.

"The timing for the first global wind power conference in Paris could not be better," says Arthouros Zervos, President of EWEA and Conference Chairman. "The Paris conference underlines the fact that the wind power industry and the benefits it brings are spreading around the world. Over the past two decades the cost of generating wind power has dropped more than 80%. It is now time to show the world that security of energy supply and economic growth do not have to come at the expense of the environment. The technology is available to provide clean power reliably, cheaply and globally," says Mr. Zervos.

The 2002 Global Windpower Conference, taking place in Paris from 2-5 April, is expected to attract over 1000 participants from across the world, reflecting the widespread interest in wind energy and providing a showcase for this technology. It will involve the major players in the wind energy industry, from policy-makers and financiers to researchers and manufacturers. Through its links with key international institutions such as the UN and the World Bank Group, the Global Windpower conference will help provide sustainable responses to the world's growing energy demand.

Wind energy has vast potential and the industry stands every chance of being able to realise it. This event will discuss issues of importance in wind markets around the world, including the expansion of the industry into emerging and developing country markets and the issue of EU enlargement. It will look in depth at the drivers for this expansion such as the need to combat climate change and to guarantee a secure energy supply.

Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers' Association: www.indianwindpower.com
American Wind Energy Association: www.AWEA.org
European Wind Energy Association: www.EWEA.org

Conference Chairpersons:
A. Zervos, President, EWEA, Belgium / NTUA, Greece
J. Chapman, AWEA / OEM Development Corporation, USA
R. Bakshi, Chairman, RRB Consultants & Engineers Pvt. Ltd., India

Numerous high profile figures from politics and energy are expected to speak at the event including:

plus over 80 oral, and 150 visual presentations from the worlds leading experts in the following specific sessions:

This event also incorporates the following two initiatives:

• Wind Energy Network: coordinated by EWEA, with the overall aim of ensuring that Wind Energy RD&D meets the needs of the wind industry. The following four parallel workshops have been organised on 4th April to introduce the network and facilitate discussion:
  
  1. Manufacturers - turbines & components
  2. Financiers & Insurers
  3. End users - Developers, owners, utilities
  4. Research, certification and testing centers
  
  
• Professional Course on Offshore Wind Development: coordinated by EUREC Agency and EWEA. Running 3-4 April, it will contain a high level of technical detail and encourage maximum interaction between researchers and participants. To ensure an effective environment, places are limited. Details at www.eurec.be

Exhibition:
Free entrance to over 5000 m2 of exhibition space, including 100 of the leading organisations in the world.

For an updated programme and online registration visit: www.ewea.org