Wind: 50% of EU Electricity in 2050

WARSAW, Poland, April 20, 2010 - Wind energy will meet 50% of the EU's electricity demand in 2050, top
wind energy personalities told Europe's largest wind energy conference and
exhibition.

Topping the agenda at the opening day of the European Wind Energy
Conference and Exhibition (EWEC 2010) in Warsaw was Europe's long-term energy
supply.

"2050 might seem like a long way off, but the decisions we
take today will have a big impact on our energy supplies in 40 years' time,"
said Arthouros Zervos, President of the European Wind Energy Association
(EWEA).

With the G8 and EU already committed to an 80% greenhouse gas
reduction by 2050, Zervos added: "We can't allow the politicians to make
grand statements and leave the serious decisions to the next generation.
Given the long life of power plants our vision for 2050 has to be reflected
in the construction of new power plants from at least 2020 onwards."

"A fully renewable power sector is the only solution to
reaching 80-95% CO2 reductions by 2050," he continued. "The remaining carbon
emissions will be needed for other sectors, such as agriculture."

However, we should be talking about a "renewable energy
economy" not a low carbon one, Professor Zervos said. "Renewable energies can
provide 100% of Europe's power supplies by 2050 without any further
contribution from any so-called low-carbon technologies."

Wind energy is already a mainstream power source in Europe,
annual market growth has been impressive over the past 10 years - 23% on
average. "Realistically, wind can provide 50% of power supplies by 2050 if
the necessary changes to infrastructure and markets are made," said Christian
Kjaer, EWEA's Chief Executive. "The potential is there and the industry is
ready. All we have to do is maintain current growth rates on and offshore. I
am also confident that other renewables can easily meet the other half of
Europe's electricity needs".

"A pan-European grid is the first priority, but a clear vision
of, and a strong political commitment to, the long-term energy mix is also
essential." Kjaer explained that Europe needs to interconnect its electricity
networks as a necessary step towards a truly integrated European electricity
market.

An integrated power market is essential for the smart
management of renewable energies, and lower the costs for consumers. "Energy
is an international challenge," concluded Kjaer. "It is astounding that 24
years after establishing free movement of goods, services, capital and
labour, the EU has not yet established a fifth freedom: free movement of
electricity."

    For more information contact:

    Paolo Berrino, EWEA
    paolo.berrino@ewea.org
    +32-486-277169

For more information contact: Paolo Berrino, EWEA, paolo.berrino at ewea.org, +32-486-277169