About bwe
The industry and its organisations – growing together
The German Wind Energy Association (BWE) has changed significantly in the 13 years Since its establishment. Like the Industry it represents, BWE came of age a long time ago. It has, however, always remained true to its mission and goals.
In the beginning, generating power from wind was a real adventure. Only a few systems had been installed in Germany, the technology was seldom proven and there was no legal foundation for grid feed-in or remuneration. These days, wind energy is a key component of the energy supply. It is the most successful of all renewable energies, and makes a significant contribution to climate protection and the preservation of natural resources.
The German Wind Energy Association - a powerful partner
The German Wind Energy Association (BWE) has monitored and helped to shape this development from the very beginning. Since its foundation, it has been committed to a socially acceptable expansion of wind energy that preserves the integrity of the landscape en route to a decentralised, renewable energy supply. BWE is the largest renewable energy association in the world, with about 20,000 members at present.
Its members include wind turbine manufacturers, operators and their shareholders, planning offices, financiers, scientists, engineers, technicians and lawyers, as well as early conservationists and students. Its structure is also a strength: BWE pools expertise and experience from the entire industry. This great source knowledge makes BWE an important contact for politicians, business, science and the media.
BWE’s motto is well-founded arguments instead of controversy, and fact-based persuasion. The association obtains its professional knowledge from a number of competence centres: the committees and working groups, national and regional associations, the association magazines “new energy” and “neue energie“ and the branch offices and employees. These separate paths all lead to the BWE Board of Directors, which keeps it well informed at all times and gives it a solid basis for decisions.
Committee and working group competence centres
BWE currently has over ten committees, which are far more than mere sources of information in their specialisms. They discuss topical industry-related matters and develop long-term strategies. The specific content of the work done by these experts leads to scientific studies or standards for the entire industry. The committees are represented in the BWE Board of Directors and can thus directly influence the policy of the association. In order to react to current problems, short-term working groups, which can react quickly and call on external experts if necessary, are formed.
State and regional association competence centres
BWE’s regional roots are a crucial part of its identity. 13 state and 40 regional associations provide comprehensive local advisory and information services. Close contact with political parties and decision makers at regional and state level allows all competence available to be used actively to optimise the conditions for the region. The aim is to implement projects supported by all involved and which have a high level of acceptance. The regional associations are also represented at congresses, trade fairs and podium discussions and respond to local criticism in a professional manner via their websites and in press releases and information sessions. Finally, the state and regional associations act as mediators between the main structure of BWE and its branch offices. They address relevant themes early, giving the association a significant head start in knowledge when discussing important matters.
Branch competence centre
The branch office in Berlin coordinates the association work of BWE. Trained employees and professional experts in technological, legal and procedural areas provide comprehensive advisory services, for both members and non-members. They gather and prepare the latest information and forward it to the appropriate institutions. The office is contact point and information pool for political and public institutions, issues press releases and houses the editorial office of the magazines “new energy” and “neue energie”. BWE informs the public of its activities via the association homepage, brochures, flyers and press releases. The association is represented at the main wind energy trade fairs in Germany and Europe.
International Collaboration
Together with powerful partners, BWE works to improve international conditions. The offices receive queries on Germany as a role model for successful implementation of wind energy from all over the world. 18 European countries and a number of countries outside Europe have now adopted a feed-in remuneration model based on Germany’s.
The German Wind Energy Association (BWE) participates in the major associations and committees at an international level. Their goal is to bring about better international conditions for the use of wind energy and thus to create positive export conditions for German companies. At a European level, the association is also committed to ensuring that the prerequisites for a stable domestic market are in place. To this end, BWE collaborates with the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) and the European Renewable Energies Federation (EREF). BWE is also a member of the global associations WWEA (World Wind Energy Association) and GWEC (Global Wind Energy Council). In order to promote international business cooperation, BWE also participates in the Renewable Energies Export Initiative funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology. The association also works with the GT Z wind energy programme TERNA and is involved in the German-French Coordination Centre for Wind Energy. Furthermore, the association is represented at international conferences and trade fairs, and welcomes delegations from the energy, business and environment industries from around the world.
BWE, with its clearly defined structure, has accepted the challenges of the new millennium. However, the increasing professionalism of the work performed by the association does not mean that the original mission, ideals and aims are neglected.
100 percent renewable energy was BWE’s motto 13 years ago. The association sees no reason to change this.
