- Wind Experts is an educational program that aims to raise awareness among younger generations about climate change and their role and potential within this global challenge.
- This Wind Experts first edition in Viana do Castelo was carried out in collaboration with the Town Hall and Abelheira School.
Viana do Castelo, 21st of April. An event ceremony was held to award Abelheira School as the winner of the first edition of the “Wind Experts” educational program edition, developed by Ocean Winds, in Viana do Castelo. The program aims to raise awareness among the younger generations about the global climate change challenge and the benefits and potential of renewable energies, especially of offshore wind energy. The event was celebrated in Abelheira School, with the presence of the team from WindFloat Atlantic, the local floating offshore wind farm of which Ocean Winds (a 50% joint venture between EDP Renováveis and ENGIE) is the main shareholder, and members of the Municipality of Viana do Castelo, represented by theirs Councillor for Environment and Climate Transition, Fabiola Oliveira.
Therefore, within the context of this educational program that also relates to the curricular discipline of teaching Citizenship and Development, the students from the local school, Escola da Abelheira, enjoyed various educational courses that aimed rising awareness about climate change and to promote effective solutions to mitigate its consequences. The next phase was a competition among themselves, that challenged them to build a replica of the WindFloat Atlantic floating offshore wind farm by using recycled materials, while encouraging team spirit, creativity and innovative ideas.
The ceremony counted with the presence of the students from the three courses of fifth and sixth grade, together with their teacher Paula Pequeno, the school’s Vice Principal Luis Braga, and other teachers, who kindly received the WindFloat Atlantic team visitants with poems they had previously prepared for the event.
Along the ceremony, Daniel Ribeiro, Asset Manager, and Ricardo Portela Rosa, O&M Engineer and a former student of this school, both from the WindFloat Atlantic team, handed the school a 3,000€ voucher for their involvement, and a participation certificate to each one of the students, to embrace and value their commitment in this constructive and challenging competition. Moreover, Ocean Winds’ committee selected a winning team after reviewing each of the projects presented, and valuing its design, functionality, and creativeness. The members of the winner team received an iPad each.
Wind Experts falls within Ocean Winds commitment to invest in the local society and community of its projects, especially focusing on spreading and promoting knowledge within the younger generations. Hence, with the support of the Town Hall of Viana do Castelo, several social investments actions are taking place in the Viana do Castelo region, as the recent beach cleaning organized in Rodanho beach.
