Invitation to press launch - Tuesday 20 January 2009

The wind energy sector is booming. More new wind energy capacity was installed in the EU than any other power-generating technology except natural gas between 2000 and 2007. Yet wind turbines cannot be built, installed or maintained without people: 33 new jobs have been created in wind energy every day, seven days a week over the past five years.

The industry employs a wide range of profiles from manufacturing and mechanics to project development.

How many overall jobs have been created in wind energy so far? How do these break down into different types? What about jobs that are indirectly linked to the sector? How does the future look for employment in the sector, especially given the EU’s newly approved Renewable Energy Directive with its 20% renewables target by 2020, with wind set to provide 12-14% of EU electricity by then?

A new report from the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) investigates, analyses and answers many questions like these in a new report entitled ‘Wind at Work: wind energy and employment in the EU’, which contains an in-depth analysis of the topic, alongside forecasts of the future situation.

You are warmly invited to the press launch of the report, which will take place on Tuesday 20 January at 11.30 a.m. at Pauwels International in Belgium.

Presenting the report and answering your questions will be:

Christian Kjaer, EWEA Chief Executive and co-author of ‘Wind at Work’
Francis Robberechts, Vice President of Crompton Greaves Power EMEA

In order to participate, book a place on the bus and to find out everything about the ‘Wind at Work’ report, please contact Paolo Berrino at [email protected] or telephone: +32 2 400 10 55.

About EWEA

The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) is the voice of the wind industry, actively promoting the utilisation of wind power in Europe and worldwide. It is ideally situated in the Renewable Energy House in Brussels ensuring close proximity to European decision-makers.

It now has over 500 members from over 50 countries including manufacturers with a 90% share of the global wind power market, plus component suppliers, research institutes, national wind and renewables associations, developers, contractors, electricity providers, finance and insurance companies and consultants. This combined strength makes EWEA the world’s largest and most powerful wind energy network.

About Pauwels International

Pauwels is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Crompton Greaves Limited, an important industrial conglomerate based in India. Pauwels is one of the world leaders in the design and manufacturing of innovative three-phase distribution and power transformers, and integrated T&D solutions. Pauwels operates manufacturing plants (transformers) and subsidiary companies (T&D systems & services) on 3 continents.Since 1947, Pauwels has stood for innovative, high-quality, reliable transformers, environmental awareness and service to customers around the world. By creating a dynamic and flexible company focused on these key points, Pauwels continues to operate as a total solutions company offering innovative designs, high performance, proven reliability and maximum return on investment for its customers. Pauwels is a global leader in the design and manufacturing of innovative and reliable step-up transformers for multi-megawatt wind turbines. Pauwels offers economic, high performance, state-of-the-art transformer solutions for onshore and offshore installations in the nacelle, the base of the tower, or outside, next to the tower.