HWEA – The answer to high electricity prices is more wind energy

Investments in new wind farms produce, along with photovoltaics, the cheapest electricity. The more wind farms we have, the lighter the burden of electricity costs for households and industry.

This is the main message of the positions of the representatives of the European Wind Energy Union WindEurope and the Hellenic Wind Energy Association HWEA/ELETAEN in the conference organized by the news site energypress.gr

The conference was opened by WindEurope CEO Giles Dickson.

Giles Dickson, WindEurope: Recent developments in energy costs show that we need to move very quickly towards renewable energy sources

In his opening remarks, Mr. Dixon stressed that the latest developments in energy costs show that we need to move very quickly towards renewable energy sources. The jump in electricity prices is due to the very high prices of fossil fuels and especially natural gas. In contrast, wind farms and photovoltaics generate the cheapest electricity and are not exposed to international fluctuations in fuel prices and geopolitical balances.

However, apart from the faster growth of RES. It is necessary to protect consumers from high prices in the short term, by reducing electricity taxes and mobilizing other public resources, as many countries are already doing. Today, many European governments have imposed much higher taxes on electricity per unit of final energy consumption than on gas. We need to normalize this if we want incentives for the electrification of heating and transport.

There is also a need for rapid transposition of the provisions of European Clean Energy Package legislation for liberalized energy markets and the integration of flexible demand management.

Above all, a strategic goal is needed to strengthen Europe ‘s energy independence. Greece has to contribute significantly to this with the full development of its wind potential and especially of its offshore wind potential. That’s why we need a clear framework, binding goals and an ambitious program of international connections.

With regard to licensing procedures, Mr Dixon referred to the obligations imposed by European legislation on their simplification. WindEurope, together with ELETAEN, look forward to working with the Greek Government to effectively implement the 2nd phase of simplification of the licensing process and to establish clearer and clearer rules for spatial planning and the relationship of wind energy with biodiversity, without extended horizontal exclusions.

Panagiotis Ladakakos: More wind farms are the answer to high energy prices

The President of HWEA Mr. Panagiotis Ladakakos pointed out the economic benefits that wind farms offer to the consumer.

The wind farms that operate today in Greece, save the CO2 emissions that emit 3.5 million cars every year. At current coal prices, this means saving more than € 400 million a year for the benefit of the national economy. Their production corresponds to the consumption of 2.3 million households. These benefits will be maximized with more RES. If we did not have wind farms, the energy crisis would be even more unbearable for households and businesses.

The new wind farms in Greece produce 3-4 times cheaper electricity in relation to the current cost of electricity production from natural gas and 2-3 cheaper in relation to lignite. The dominance of renewable energy sources ensures cheap electricity at predictable prices.

Mr. Ladakakos stressed that the energy transition IS the answer to high prices. What we need to do is strengthen social protection, and strengthen the message to investors that they need to accelerate RES.

Panagiotis Papastamatiou: Apart from producing cheap energy, wind farms are an environmentally friendly activity

The General Manager of HWEA Mr. Panagiotis Papastamatiou referred to the very high acceptance rate enjoyed by RES. as this emerged from a nationwide poll presented at the conference and which had been conducted before the launch of fossil fuel prices.

Specifically, 98% is the percentage of citizens in our country who recognize climate change as the biggest problem and even directly links it to the increase of natural disasters (92%). At the same time, they believe that in order to deal with the consequences of climate change, we must invest in solar (78.4%) and wind energy (60%). Perhaps in the midst of the current situation of high electricity prices, this support for RES, is set to become even bigger.

The RES and especially wind energy is an environmentally friendly activity. It does not pollute, it is not noisy and it does not cause echoes that affect the health or reproductive capacity of mammals. It does not affect beekeeping and animal husbandry. It is generally compatible with other developmental activities such as tourism. It creates much more local growth and employment than gas stations. Wind turbine materials are 90% recyclable, a number that is expected to increase. Wind energy has a very positive environmental and energy balance, is one of the best weapons against the climate crisis and thus contributes to the protection of biodiversity and forests.

On the other hand, the effects of wind energy are spatially and temporally limited and above all they are completely predictable and predetermined. With a wind farm, in addition to having a fixed energy cost, you know exactly what you will have to face in the coming decades.

The key to maximizing benefits and minimizing impact is proper location, compliance with laws and clear rules that must be respected by all.