British Wind Energy Association

BWEA is the trade and professional body for the UK wind, wave and tidal renewable energy industries. Formed in 1978, and with over 500 corporate members, BWEA is the leading renewable energy trade association in the UK.  Our primary purpose is to promote the use of wind, wave and tidal power in and around the UK. We act as a central point for information for our membership and as a lobbying group to promote wind, wave and tidal energy to government, industry, the media and the public. We research and find solutions to current issues and generally act as the forum for the industry, Members of BWEA range from the largest international corporations to members of the public, providing us with a united and representative voice and our members with fantastic networking opportunities. Membership interests range across the entire industry from wind energy research, consultancy and manufacture to financing and insurance, development, operation and associated services.

BWEA
Greencoat House,
Francis Street
London,
SW1P 1DH,
UK

Telephone: 020 7901 3000
Email: info@bwea.com
Website: www.bwea.com

Wind Energy

Wind has been the world's fastest growing renewable energy source for the last seven years, and this trend is expected to continue with falling costs of wind energy and the urgent international need to tackle CO2 emissions to prevent climate change. Man has harnessed the power of the wind since the earliest times. Today, modern wind turbines harness this power in the production of clean and green electricity, with no waste products or harmful emissions, from a fuel that will never run out. We live in an age where we have a greater understanding that the effects of the way we generate our electricity represents a clear and present threat to our environment and to us. We're also at the point in history where we see ourselves moving from the luxury of having almost too much energy to one in which we are less certain about our future sources. Wind power offers a solution to both. Wind power in the UK generates electricity at some of the lowest prices in Europe, bringing with it many benefits, both environmental and economic. Every unit produced by a wind turbine displaces one that would otherwise be generated from fossil fuels, preventing the emission of several greenhouse gases. Wind turbines in the UK currently prevent the emission of over a million tonnes of carbon dioxide while providing sufficient electricity to meet the needs of well over a third of a million households each year.The most advanced of the renewable technologies, the role of wind power has been recognised in the UK Government's new energy policy. Targets have been set for 10% of the UK's electricity supply in 2010 to be met by renewably-generated electricity with an aspiration to broadly double this by 2020. Wind energy from deployment both on and offshore has been identified as the most likely 'largest contributors to the renewables generation mix in 2010', repeated for the 2020 20% scenario. A key component of Government's strategy in the move to a low carbon economy, wind power offers the opportunity to create a new industry for the UK. The fastest growing energy source worldwide for seven consecutive years, the power of the wind and the benefits this dynamic industry brings are coming home to the UK, the windiest country in Europe.

Wave and Tidal Energy

In 2004, BWEA expanded its mission to champion wave and tidal energy and use the Association's experience to guide these technologies along the same path to commercialisation. In the coming decades renewable energy's share of UK generation will rise rapidly, increasing the need for a portfolio of renewable energy technologies to provide electricity alongside wind. Marine renewable technologies are at the same stage wind was 10-15 years ago, and much of our membership have interests in both sectors. The UK has the best wave and tidal resource in Europe, an asset that has the potential to provide a considerable proportion of the UK power market in years to come. Coupled with this is a strong history of innovation that has produced some of the leading marine energy devices in the world today. These devices face a number of challenges before they can meet their potential and reach large-scale commercialisation ahead of their global competition, but the rewards will be great. Supporting innovation early is the key to developing a globally competitive manufacturing industry in renewable energy, as Denmark and Germany have learnt from their experiences of wind energy. The UK is now fully committed to developing the next generation of commercial renewable energy technologies in the emerging wave and tidal energy market.

Types of Wind Industry jobs

Manufacturing
Turbine R&D
Turbine Design
Turbine Production
Tower Production
Gearbox and Components production
Quality Control

Business Support and Management
Sales & Marketing
Finance & Investment
Human Resources
Public Relations
Legal Assistance

Planning
Environmental Impact assessment
Environmental Monitoring
Planning regulations & Policy
Public/Community Relations

Wind Farm Development
Wind Power Engineer
Wind Farm Development Manager
On-site Construction
Consultation
Civil Engineering
Grid Connection
High Voltage specialist
Project manager
Technical Director
Wind Industry forecasting & Assessment
Wind Farm software (e.g. WAsP, Windfarm, Windpro)
3d modelling software
Wind Resource Analyst
Off-shore specialist

Wind Farm Operations
Turbine Technician (Operations & Maintenance)
Operations Manager
Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition

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