Ocean Winds launches Wind Experts, its international educational program, in Viana do Castelo, Portugal
  • The “Wind Experts” program aims to introduce students to the world of offshore wind energy as part of the solution to the climate crisis through a competition where students will build wind turbines from recycled materials.
  • This educational program to raise awareness of global environmental issues and promote local solutions also take place in Poland, Spain and England.

Viana do Castelo, February 16th, 2023. Ocean Winds, an international offshore wind energy company based in Madrid (Spain) and owned by EDP Renewables (EDPR) and ENGIE (50:50 joint venture), has started to develop in Viana do Castelo its Wind Experts project. This educational program aims to raise awareness among 5th and 6th-grade students about climate change and the benefits of using renewable energy sources, such as offshore wind energy.

This action is part of Ocean Winds’ commitment to social investment in our communities and especially with the younger generations. Therefore, with the support of the Town Hall of Viana do Castelo, we will count on Abelheira school’s participation in the program. Last week, we visited the school to meet all the young participants. Daniel Ribeiro, Asset Manager for WindFloat Atlantic, had the opportunity to introduce the students to what offshore wind energy is about and how the wind turbines produce electricity, using the example of our local floating offshore wind farm, WindFloat Atlantic, generating clean energy for more than 25,000 local households.

The visit of Ocean Winds has been carried out as a closure to the educational cycle of two virtual sessions that the students had with the schoolteacher in the scope of the curricular subject of citizenship and development. During these courses, the students learned, through interactive materials, about the current climate change issues and which is the role of renewable energies, and how they can contribute in a fun and entertaining way. After these courses, the students will participate in an international competition, where they will create their own wind turbine models, using recycled materials, in the most innovative and functional way possible, in different teams, while recording the entire process.

All the teams will submit the video of the construction process of the models and Ocean Winds will select one winning team per country. The winning team will be awarded iPads for each member, for having built the best wind turbine with recycled materials and have demonstrated their creativity, and their school will receive a prize of 3,000€.  Then, the country’s winning school will have the opportunity to participate in an international final where a global winner will be chosen and will win an additional 3,000€.

Ocean Winds is committed to creating and promoting constructive relationships with the community, especially with the younger generations from regions where Ocean Winds operates, such as the case of Viana do Castelo. Jose Miguel Pinheiro, Country Manager for Southern Europe and Project Director for WindFloat Atlantic commented, “As OW, we believe in the Portuguese offshore wind potential, therefore, we develop actions that bring offshore wind energy closer to our community”. He also added, “We are proud of being pioneer of the Portuguese offshore wind journey. As WindFloat Atlantic, we will keep working with our suppliers and community, to keep pursuing our main goal: promote local return while bringing clean energy“.

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