A 45% renewable energy target for 2030 would create the future policy-stability the green energy sector the needs, was one of the main messages emerging from last night’s public debate on EU energy policy post-2020.

New energy policies must be drawn-up today, and not in 2020 when the current targets expire, Josche Muth, Secretary General of the European Renewable Energy Council (EREC) said at the debate organised by the European Wind Energy Association. The call was backed by Claude Turmes, MEP, who said that renewables are becoming a mainstream source of electricity faster than was forseen.

Vedadillo windfarm in Navarre, Spain

Global Wind Day took place yesterday with events from wind farm open days to exhibition launches in Belgium to Berlin. While more events are set to happen this weekend (find out more here), here are a few photos of some of the Global Wind Day events yesterday…

At a cinema in the heart of London’s West End, a short film on the potential of renewable energy was screened for the first time on Global Wind Day, 15 June. British TV personality Bill Oddie presented the film, which aims to tell the public about the environmental and economic benefits of wind and other renewables.

“The goal was to normalise renewable energy”, he said.

A colourful display of flowing, tasselled lanterns, undulating kites that look like clouds racing across the sky, and an airy gymnastic performance to match, is taking place in the heart of Brussels’ EU quarter today.

The context is Global Wind Day – 15 June – when all around the world events are taking place in honour of the power that resides in the wind – power that creates electricity and can bring us a greener future free from dependence on polluting and expensive fossil fuels.

Hot on the heels of Germany’s decision to abandon nuclear power by 2022 comes an announcement from Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi that Italy will have to give up its plans to revive nuclear power, concentrating on renewable energy instead.

“We shall have to say good-bye to nuclear,” he said on Monday.