EWEA Activities, BB200603
European Energy Crisis – The No Fuel Solution
In February 2006, EWEA has launched a new campaign based on the message that wind energy produces power without fuel.
The No Fuel briefing document was released at EWEC 2006 and it is part of a broader campaign, including a video and full-page advertising in The Economist and the European Voice. It outlines how w ind can meet over one fifth of European energy needs, eliminate the economic risks of volatile and uncertain fuel prices, and provide an indigenous and practical solution to the current European energy crisis.
At a time of price volatility and concern over Europe’s supplies of gas, the “No Fuel” campaign emphasises that wind energy carries no geopolitical risk, involves no fuel imports, no need for exploration and extraction and no risk of escalating fuel prices. It also produces no emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide.
Unlike conventional fuels, wind energy is a massive indigenous source permanently available. Wind power stations can be constructed and deliver power far quicker than conventional sources. The technology has progressed immensely to the point where today, a single modern turbine annually produces 180 times more electricity that its equivalent 20 years ago. The briefing shows that less than doubling the number of turbines currently installed in Europe would provide 11 times more electricity - and deliver over one fifth of European power needs by 2030, even with a 50% increase in demand by then. Across Europe, around 47,000 wind turbines installed at the end of 2005 provide 2.8% of Europe’s power needs. By 2030, 90,000 turbines would be delivering 23%. To reach 23%, surprisingly few modern turbines are required. In 2004, the average size of turbine delivered to the European market was about 1.3 MW onshore and 2.1 MW. Under the assumption that by 2030, the average size of a wind turbine will be 2 MW onshore and 10 MW offshore, this will result in a total of 90.000 turbines (75.000 onshore and 10.000 offshore). You have below some quantitative aspects for 300 GW of wind installed in Europe by 2030..
The briefing addresses as well energy security, rising energy demand, the intermittency myth of wind energy. All the information and materials, the adverts and the video can be downloaded at www.no-fuel.org