Enel Green Power at EWEA 2014

The annual event of the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA), the most important conference for the European wind power industry, took place at the Fiera de Barcelona Gran Via between 10-13 March and saw the presence of the Enel Group, which has 3.4 gigawatts of installed capacity on the continent.

EWEA’s annual event provides a platform for wind power businesses to present new products and offers a vast programme of conferences and meetings. Thanks to the participation of the sector’s European leaders and political representatives, it is also a chance to define strategy for wind power operations in Europe.

Taking part in the conference for Enel were Enel Green Power’s Head of Regulatory Affairs Felice Egidi, EGP’s Head of External Relations Andrea Falessi and Enel’sHead for Italy and Europe Roberto Deambrogio.

This year’s edition focused on the recovery of the wind power industry after an uncertain period in which the sector was at a standstill due to shifting political circumstances, economic uncertainty and cautious financial markets. Such an environment led a number of countries to adopt measures aimed at changing subsidy provision, even retroactively.

‘The challenge for the wind power industry, and for renewable energy in general, is geographical diversification and innovation, reducing costs and increasing plant flexibility and programmability,’ said Deambrogio. ‘We need a number of things to come together in order to revitalise Europe, including regulatory stability, the harmonisation of domestic policy and a more interconnected market.’

Geographical diversification is a strong point for EGP, and the business has plants in operation in 17 countries. Latin America, where the Group already manages 462 megawatts of wind power, is an extremely promising region, but EGP is also examining the possibility of entering new markets in Africa. It is already operating in South Africa, while it is also looking at Mozambique, Tanzania, Namibia, Kenya and Uganda.