Europeans must understand that continuing to depend on expensive oil for energy is a losing proposition, Denmark’s Minister for Climate and Energy told people attending the opening session of EWEA2011 today in Brussels.

“Let there be no doubt, the new energy reality is here,” Lykke Friis said. “We simply must end our oil addiction.”

Friis added political leaders must act without delay to capitalise on wind power and other renewables.

As people begin arriving in Brussels on Sunday for the EWEA 2011 Annual Event, it’s a safe bet that many of them will be talking about what is expected to become the world’s largest offshore wind farm.

The three developers of the London Array announced on Tuesday that the first of 177 foundations has now been installed at the London Array Offshore Wind Farm in the Thames Estuary.

The press release — put out by DONG Energy, E.ON and Masdar — noted each foundation will consist of a tubular steel monopile, driven up to 50 metres into the seabed, and a large yellow transition piece, which is fixed over the top of the monopile to provide the base for the wind turbine.

A private non-profit organisation in the US that provides improvements, resources and research to help diversify the economy of the nation’s capital city announced on Monday that its headquarters building is switching to wind power.

The DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID), located on a prominent street in Washington near the White House, said it decided to switch to wind power to reduce costs and dependency on carbon-based fuels that harm the environment.

In a press release, DowntownDC BID said switching to wind power would save the organisation money and prompt interest among other BID-based businesses wanting to purchase electricity generated by wind power and other green resources.

Europe must invest heavily in new electricity grid connections to maintain its technological lead, EU Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger warns in the upcoming Wind Directions.

He believes Europe is currently not the best place to invest in renewables.

“Not Europe, but China and United States are currently the best investment locations for renewable energy”, the Commissioner writes.

Can you imagine standing in the nacelle of a turbine, 50 metres above a sparkling sea, being buffeted by the wind?

Even for some of those who work in the sector, climbing a wind turbine is a rare and exciting privilege. On Saturday I was lucky enough to do just that for the first time in Denmark, alongside the winners of EWEA’s ‘Breath of Fresh Air – Adopt a Turbine’ competition.

17 year old Lien Van Hout from Belgium got the most votes for the turbine she adopted, and she took her brother along to Copenhagen to enjoy her prize – visits to an onshore and an offshore farm. EWEA’s Campaigns Officer Elke Zander, who organised the competition, accompanied them and I went along for the onshore visit.