Global Wind Day 2013 – Ireland

Global Wind Day is a worldwide event that occurs annually on 15 June. It is a day for discovering wind, its power and the possibilities it holds to change our world. This year it is being marked in Ireland through a series of events across the country including ‘Walk and Talk’ open days at numerous wind farms across Ireland.

It is also a day for discovery of the work that has already begun by pioneers around the world. In more than 75 countries around the world, wind farms are in operation, generating energy from a clean and renewable source.

Thousands of individuals are involved in the production of energy from the wind, but for many people, wind energy is a mystery. Global Wind Day is the day when you can visit wind farms, meet experts, attend events and find out everything you want to know about wind energy.

The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA ) and the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC ) coordinate the Global Wind Day through a network of partners. The day started as a European one in 2007 and went Global in 2009. On 15 June, thousands of public events are organised all over the world.

How it all began:

The Wind Day was first held in 2007, as the European Wind Day organised by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA). The main idea was to connect a network of partners as well as using centralised communication tools, press releases and distribution of gadgets and coordinate of event organised by national wind energy associations and companies active in the wind energy field. The Wind Day in 2007 reached 18 countries, with a participation of around 35,000 people. By 2008, the event’s reach extended to 20 European countries and attracted 100,000 people.

In 2009, EWEA joined forces with the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) and extended the reach from European associations and companies to coordinate Wind Day events across the globe. That year, the 300 events in 35 countries across the globe reached up to 1,000,000 people.

In 2010 and 2011 between 220 and 230 events took place in around 30 countries. Since 2009, Global Wind Day has reached more than 1,000,000 people plus the thousands of people engaging and supporting the event through online means such as social media.

Last year was a great success in Ireland  with over 1000 people visiting wind farms across the country. This year sees a number of wind farms across Ireland hosting an array of events to celebrate wind energy. The activity dates vary and some are hosting family days whilst others are inviting schools for fun, games and facts on wind.

Global Wind Day sends the message across the world that wind energy is a key solution to the looming energy crisis – our over dependency on imported and finite fossil fuels – and the climate change crisis, and that it is already working. It helps people realise that wind energy is a popular and mainstream power technology.

IWEA Photography Competition Winners:  Global Wind Day photo competition  – highlighting the benefits of harnessing wind power to replace unsustainable fossil fuels.

Events organised around Ireland to celebrate Global Wind Day – Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA)

Take Action for Renewables – Tell world leaders to switch to renewable energy