Delhi :The World Wind Energy Association and TERI welcome the presence of more than 300 participants from over 30 countries attending this virtual Conference, on wind, solar, and all other renewable energy technologies. The Conference, with the support of world-wide networks on Renewable Energy, has been held immediately after COP26, where heightened concerns about the state of Climate Change were voiced by stakeholders from across the world, and with its added voice to harness wind and other renewable energies for a 100% renewable energy supply, the WWEC2021 hosted virtually in Delhi has great significance.
The Conference covered all aspects of mainstreaming and growing wind and solar utilisation and the related policies, science and technology, manufacturing, research & development, operation, offshore and small wind, integrated solutions, capacity development, community involvement as well as other economic and social issues.
We, WWEA and TERI, the hosts of the Conference appreciate the support of many organisations, especially the International Solar Alliance, the IRENA Coalition for Action, the International Renewable Energy Alliance including the International Geothermal Association, International Hydropower Association, International Solar Energy Society and World Bioenergy Association, REN21, the Global 100% Renewable Energy Platform, Energy Watch Group, Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation, Indian Wind Energy Association, Indian Wind Power Association, Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association, the Norwegian Embassy in India, SEFI, IGEF, KFW and all organisations and individuals enhancing the Conference.
We, WWEA and TERI, the hosts of the Conference are pleased to welcome the participation by representatives of the Government of India, and by the Ambassadors of Norway and Denmark, by the International Solar Alliance, by the International Renewable Energy Agency and the World Bank which underlined both the relevance of the event and of the host country for the global renewable energy debate.
We, WWEA and TERI, the hosts of the Conference thank in particular the sponsors without whose support such an international conference would not be possible. We thank the Norwegian Embassy for extending supporting as Country Partner. We thank Suzlon, SDA and other Industry Partners, who extended their support to the Conference.
The Conference has tackled the issue of how wind power and solar power in combination with all other renewable energies can reach a world fuelled only by renewable energy. The Conference underlines that, in accordance with the main theme of the event, manifold solutions and approaches for a large share of renewable energy and eventually a 100% renewable energy supply have been presented and discussed. These solutions, which are a key element in addressing climate change, have been successfully applied in different parts of the world and include various forms of storage, e.g. batteries, hydrogen or hydro pump storage, flexible and smart grids, demand side management and beyond.
The Conference agrees that making direct benefits available to all levels of society in all countries of the world is key to substantially accelerate the switch to a renewable energy future.
In this context, the Conference applauds the launch of the White Paper by the IRENA Coalition for Action “Community Energy Toolkit: Best Practices for Broadening the Ownership of Renewables” which demonstrates with practical example the manifold benefits and forms of community energy.
The Conference also applauds the impactful targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero by many countries including India, the corresponding, massive renewable energy targets set by the governments, and the programs such as presented and discussed in the conference.
The Conference welcomes and emphasises that wind, solar, and other renewable energy options are now broadly understood as lowest-cost solutions which have the potential to foster sustainable economic growth, to overcome energy poverty, and to strengthen resilience, autonomy and prosperity of communities. Best practice recommendations may help to ensure a just energy transition.
The Conference underlines that, in particular after the UN Climate Change Conference COP26 where governments have shown increased ambitions to limit global temperature increase below 1,5° C, it will be crucial to accelerate the rollover to renewable energy and to create the necessary frameworks. In particular wind power policies must be adjusted and, if necessary, corrected in order to allow countries to achieve the climate targets by substituting fossil fuels. This must in particular address remuneration systems as well as accelerating permitting procedures. The role of and need for feed-in tariffs should be re-considered in light of the requirement to massively upscale local investment in the most effective and cost-economic way.
The Conference applauds the statements made by the Indian Minister for Road Transport & Highways that in order to switch the transportation sector to renewable energy, a broad range of efforts and technologies will have to be applied. Representatives of the International Association for Sustainable Aviation and the International Windship Association have shown concrete ways how these sectors can be converted. In the area of road vehicles, the application and further improvement of battery technology will be crucial, as highlighted in the expert panel convened by the World Bank.
The Conference identified capacity building, education and training as key components of any national wind power and renewable energy strategy and encourages all governments and international organisations to set up and strengthen comprehensive programmes. Education will also play an important role in enabling citizens and communities to fulfil their important, active role in the energy transformation.
The Conference encourages all wind energy and associated stakeholders to participate in the next World Wind Energy Conference to be held in Rimini, Italy, from 28-30 June 2022.