I am pleased to be able to congratulate the WWEA on its 20th anniversary and on its globally successful work. We have all followed the international growth and interesting development of the organization over this long period of time. I therefore wish all those involved to hold on to their great commitment. For our common aspiration for the rapid energy transition to 100% renewable energies.

The WWEA was founded in 2001 in the same year when Hermann Scheer - then President of EUROSOLAR - founded the World Council for Renewable Energies (WCRE). Both organizations were and are closely related, I would like to remind you of that. Herman Scheer was firmly convinced of the necessity of a world wind energy organization and advocated it resolutely. At the founding meeting - during which he played a key role - not only was the president elected, but also a managing director named: Stefan Gsänger, who continues to fulfill this task to this day - and I hope to continue to do so - with great appreciation and great success!

Five working principles were also identified at this meeting. They shape the work to this day and make it clear that the WWEA is a main pillar of the energy system transition. I would particularly like to go into the last point of these principles - it says: "WWEA will play an active role in the World Council for Renewable Energies (WCRE)".

The WCRE was founded at that time with the support of international organizations from science and governments, with the primary goal of creating an international organization for renewable energies (IRENA) as a counterpoint to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the International Energy Agency (IEA). An idea that Hermann Scheer pursued for over 20 years, the structure of which he conceived and comprehensively planned. In 2009, IRENA became a reality. Founded in Bonn at the conference of the World Council (WCRE), EUROSOLAR and WWEA, supported by the international parliamentarian form and other countries.

The world's energy system transition is making substantial progress. The economic competitiveness of photovoltaic and wind technology has improved dramatically over the past ten years. The annual status reports of IRENA prove this. Worldwide, wind energy is a cornerstone in the interplay of all renewable energies. The full supply of mankind to 100% from the sun as an energy source is possible and essential for survival in every country on earth, depending on its regional possibilities.

The damages caused by the nuclear-fossil energy system will continue to weigh heavily on us and the next generations. But the knowledge of the energy system transition with renewable energies - which is taking place worldwide as an alternative - gives all of us, but especially the youth, courage and hope. The work of the WWEA is essential and I wish the organization and especially you, Stefan, a lot of strength for further successful years.

“The World Wind Energy Association is an important part and enabler of our globally needed transition towards a world with exclusively sustainable energy supply from 100 % renewable energy sources. From my point of view WWEA on one hand still breathes the continuity for courageous pathways towards our common goal, as inspired by its founding fathers and early supporter Hermann Scheer and Preben Maegaard. WWEA enables the international creativity to focus especially on options for small and medium sized project, on citizens and communities for renewable . With its secretariat in Bonn and its splendid Stefan Gsänger as Sec Gen and team it  bridges well towards the United Nations and to the Members of WWEA around the world. Congratulations for the first 20 years – en avant.

Best greetings from EREF”

My colleagues at TERI and I extend our congratulations to the World Wind Energy Association on its foundation day for supporting the wind sector globally for two decades. All across the world, renewable energy, especially wind and solar are transforming the nature of energy supply, as we make efforts to gradually phase out fossil fuels. The need to make this planet sustainable for our next generations is urging us to look at 'net zero emission' pathways over the next two decades. Let TERI and WWEA work together to drive this transition in India and the world. My heartiest congratulations to WWEA once again.

Over 20 years the World Wind Energy Association has gained an excellent reputation in the global wind market establishing itself as a reliable and trusted independent voice on wind power worldwide. It has always been on the forefront of technological and social developments addressing regional challenges and producing tangible results. By bringing leading wind experts together, the World Wind Energy Association has become an effective platform for promoting wind power technologies at both the governmental and local levels.

Let this twentieth anniversary become a new stage in the development and expansion of the World Wind Energy Association and a new milestone in the deployment of wind power capacities worldwide.

The Ukrainian Wind Energy Association sincerely congratulates the World Wind Energy Association with its Twenties Anniversary! 

“I would like to congratulate the World Wind Energy Association (WWEA) very warmly on its 20th anniversary. As the global non-profit umbrella organization for wind energy, WWEA is making an important contribution from Bonn to achieving the global climate goals. With more than 400 member organizations from 100 countries, including many developing and emerging countries, WWEA is a powerful player for the promotion of wind energy as well as for the networking of wind energy stakeholders and the facilitation of know-how transfer. WWEA is also a founding member of the Bonn International Non-Governmental Organisations / BINGO Net and, together with these partners, contributes to strengthening Bonn as a sustainability hub and dialogue platform for the global issues of our future. I wish the World Wind Energy Association all the best for its important work in and from Bonn!“