The problems of climate change, dwindling fossil fuel supplies and how to sustain an ever-increasing population are inextricably linked to the future of energy production. How we tackle them will be the meter with which our descendants will measure us as a global community. Wind energy can reduce the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere, preserve valuable fossil fuel reserves for specialised uses and help poorer rural countries develop without resorting to dirty technology.
Wind energy is the fastest growing source of energy worldwide.
It has the potential to supply power to the developed and developing world. There are natural and human barriers to the effective exploitation of wind. The industry has proven innovative and persistent in meeting technological challenges. The political and institutional obstacles require input and effort from politicians and policy makers to ensure that the transition to the use of renewables creates a sustainable employment and manufacturing base and is not impeded by the timetables of traditional energy suppliers. The next major technological step will be the development of offshore wind.