A partnership aimed at the increased opportunity for and construction of both onshore and offshore wind developments has been launched. The Scottish led group of eight EU nations, including Spain, Italy, Greece, Malta, Ireland, Norway, and Belgium, also benefits from the contribution of an additional 17 partners, including academics, local authorities, power companies and consultants.

The partnership hopes to assist the European Union reach its 2020 carbon emission reduction targets on time. Scotland appear to be well placed to advise on such issues, having already reached the halfway point in their own campaign to cut carbon emissions by 42% (a shade higher than other European and US targets) by the beginning of the next decade.

Leading Small Wind Turbine manufacturer Gaia-Wind has welcomed the launch of the Good Practice Wind Project. Managing Director Johnnie Andringa said:

“We particularly welcome the drive to enable communities to play their part in building a renewable energy future. However, with Scottish elections ahead, we must watch out for ‘tinkering politician syndrome’.

“At Gaia-Wind the big technological advances we are developing today will not show up in our products for at least 3 years. A politician changing the rules of the game while we are doing our work would be disastrous.”

The reservations evident in Andringa’s statement regarding the perhaps meddlesome activities of politicians should be allayed somewhat by the apparent determination of Scottish Energy Minister Jim Mather, who launched the partnership, to build upon the renewable energy potential of Europe.

Via EPR Network
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