Global Wind Day – 15 June 2021

Global Wind Day - 15 June 2021

Global Wind Day is celebrated around the world by over 80 countries on 15 June annually. Global Wind Day is a day of discovering the possibilities of wind power, and it gives a chance to brainstorm ideas of reshaping energy systems and reducing carbon footprint. The event is organised by the Global Wind Energy Council and WindEurope organisations.

Wind is the movement of air from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure. In fact, wind exists because the sun unevenly heats the surface of the earth. As hot air rises, cooler air moves in to fill the void. If the sun shines, the wind will blow.

There are multiple objectives in celebrating Global Wind Day. It aims to educate both children and adults about the power the wind energy harnesses. It spreads information about the benefits of wind energy, and how it is cost-efficient and competitive when it is compared with its substitutes.

Wind energy is there to use, it is renewable, clean and does not give off harmful gases.

Facts about Wind Energy

• German physicist, Albert Betz discovered wind energy, and was the pioneer of wind turbine technology.
• Wind energy has been used in several ways throughout history i.e., windmills were first developed in China and Persia and have been used since 2000BC to crush grain or pump water, ancient mariners harnessed the wind to sail across oceans and discover new lands.
• Wind energy is one of the best renewable sources of energy.
• Wind energy is one of the cleanest and safest methods of generating electricity.
• Wind energy is one of the fastest-growing sources of electricity worldwide.
• Virtually no water is used in the generation of wind energy.
• Wind energy produces no air or water pollution.
• Energy from the wind can be converted into other forms of energy.
• The first modern wind turbine was built in Vermont in the 1940’s.
• Wind turbines can be up to 200 meters high, and a single rotor blade can be up to 60 meters long.
• The largest wind turbine can be found in Hawaii and stands 20 stories high and has blades the length of a football field.
• Wind turbines operate when the wind speed is between 13km/h and 90km/h.
• After erection of the wind turbines, the operational costs to create wind energy are minimal.
• A grouping of wind turbines is called a wind farm.
• Wind farms can be constructed both on land and offshore.
• Denmark, followed by Spain, Portugal, Sweden and Germany are the leading countries for wind power capacity per capita.
• Wind power generates 140% of Denmark’s electricity demand.
• Noise levels from turbines meet the recommendations set by the World Health Organisation for residential areas.
• Wind energy is increasingly generating new jobs and economic development opportunities across the world.

Since 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has created economic and social challenges for the world. The pace of global recovery will depend on the actions that are taken by all over the coming months. Wind energy will help deliver the jobs, the clean and affordable power and the energy security needed for a green recovery, which allows governments to renew critical infrastructure for a sustainable future.

Global Wind Day Poster - 15 June 2021 Poster (898 KB)