The World of Wind Power – The WWEApodcast

Hosted by Stefan Gsänger/WWEA

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Sep 2026

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The WWEApodcast provides first-hand information on the latest developments in the world of wind energy - on markets, policies, people, technology or socio-economic aspects - on a fortnightly basis. In each episode, WWEA Secretary General Stefan Gsänger talks for 30 minutes with an expert from the WWEA network, which spans all continents and covers all wind sectors.

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34 recent

October 16, 2026Episode 3445 min

Wind Power in Southern Africa’s Emerging Markets: Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe – and a Look at Kenya

Africa is the fastest-growing world region in both population and economic output. Yet despite an abundance of renewable energy resources, hundreds of millions of people on the continent still lack access to modern energy services, especially electricity. This gap represents a huge economic, social and ecological opportunity: developing the continent's vast energy resources will unlock its overall economic potential. Our guest in this episode is Dr. Karunamoorthy Neethimani, Director at India's KP Group – one of the country's leading wind power investors – and, in his capacity as Vice President of WWEA, a strong advocate for the global deployment of wind power. KP Group has begun exploring market opportunities in several African countries. Together, we discuss the specific opportunities and challenges in the Southern African markets – Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe – as well as in Kenya.

September 28, 2026Episode 3347 min

Wind Power in Southeast Europe: Between Growth Potential and Battery Boom

The countries of Southeast Europe are blessed with abundant renewable resources, but deployment has so far lagged behind other parts of Europe. Romania leads the region with around 3 GW of installed wind capacity, and while huge untapped potential remains across all countries, there has recently been encouraging growth – notably in Serbia. At the same time, battery storage systems are booming, laying the foundation for a fully renewable energy supply. Our guest, Julian Popov, former environment minister of Bulgaria and today, amongst others, senior fellow at a European think tank, has closely observed the region's energy transformation. He explains the market potential, why the region needs to move faster — for both economic and political reasons — and identifies the key barriers and opportunities.

September 10, 2026Episode 3231 min

Hamburg – Market Place for the World of Wind Power | with Claus-Ulrich Selbach

Wind power has set new records every year, and global installed capacity is about to exceed 1,5 million megawatts. While the initial momentum came mainly from Europe, China, India and Brazil have more recently become driving forces. The global wind industry has grown into a pillar of the global economy, with excellent prospects ahead. Policy remains a determining factor in the success or failure of wind power. This September, the industry will gather at WindEnergy Hamburg to showcase its latest achievements and technological advancements, and to discuss how to advance wind power through international collaboration. Hamburg has become the global hub for the industry. Claus-Ulrich Selbach, Vice President of Hamburg Messe, will explain the role of the fair, the expected participants, and the targeted outcomes.

September 4, 2026Episode 3139 min

Wind Power in Greece: Islands and Renewable Abundance | with Victoria Kerner, WRE

Greece is a nation defined by its 6000 islands – 124 of them inhabited. Its unique geography pairs naturally with an abundance of renewable energy, which already supplies nearly half of the country’s electricity. My guest is Victoria Kerner, CEO of WRE, a leading renewable energy developer. We discuss Greece’s long history with wind power, its potential to become a 100 % renewable energy nation, the special opportunities this transition offers, and the challenges still to overcome on the way.

July 3, 2026Episode 3056 min

Wind Shipping - The Role of Wind Propulsion in Global Transportation | with Gavin Allwright, International Wind Ship Association

Shipping is the backbone of global trade – yet the industry remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels, making it a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. While the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has acknowledged the urgency, the transformation to renewable energy based transportation is still in its early stages. In this episode, we talk to Gavin Allwright, Secretary General of the International Windship Association (IWSA). Together, we explore: * The current state of global shipping and its environmental impact * The historic and modern role of wind-powered vessels * Innovative concepts for the industry – from renewable fuels to wind-assisted propulsion * Key barriers, economic opportunities, and the global policy landscape

June 17, 2026Episode 2921 min

City of Xiongan – China’s Blueprint for the Future | with Yunhan Liu, Collection of Future City in Xiongan

Just a few years ago, the Chinese government broke ground on Xiongan, a brand-new metropolis near Beijing designed to become a global benchmark for sustainable urban development. This year, the city hosted its third annual international competition dedicated to innovative energy technologies – cementing its role as a living laboratory for the future. In this episode, we talk with Yunhan Liu, Technical Director at the Global Service Center of Collection of Future City in Xiongan, to explore the vision driving this ambitious project. We discuss the core strategies behind Xiongan’s sustainability goals, the pivotal role of renewable energy, why the city actively seeks global input through these competitions – and what the latest results reveal about the future of innovation.

May 19, 2026Episode 2833 min

Wind Power in Italy: Doubling Wind Energy by 2030 | with Davide Astiaso Garcia, ANEV, and Stefan Gsänger

Italy, a leading industrial nation with limited fossil fuel reserves, is accelerating its transition to renewable energy – especially wind and solar. The country aims to more than double its wind capacity from 13 GW to almost 30 GW within the next four years, a critical step toward energy independence and climate goals. In this episode, we’re joined by Davide Astiaso Garcia, Secretary General of the Italian Wind Energy Association (ANEV) and Professor at Sapienza University in Rome. Together, we explore: – The current state of Italy’s wind power market and its key players (investors, equipment suppliers). – The biggest challenges facing the sector – from regulatory hurdles and permitting to grid integration. – The opportunities in onshore and offshore wind to secure Italy’s long-term energy supply.

May 11, 2026Episode 2744 min

The Santa Marta Conference: A global step toward 100% renewable energy? With Stephan Singer, CAN International, and Stefan Gsänger

The world faces another fossil fuel crisis, an escalating climate emergency, and slow progress in international climate negotiations. In response, the governments of Colombia and the Netherlands made history by co-hosting the First International Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels. Held in Santa Marta, Colombia, from 24-29 April 2026, the event brought together 57 fossil fuel-producing and consuming countries, alongside civil society, and energy experts, to develop a global roadmap for a just and equitable phase-out of oil, gas, and coal. Stephan Singer, a senior climate advocate with CAN International (Climate Action Network), has been at the forefront of international climate and energy transformation for over three decades. In this episode, we explore: – The significance of the Santa Marta Conference and its historic outcomes, – The agenda, participating countries, and the "coalition of the willing" approach, – The follow-up process, including plans for a second summit in Tuvalu and Ireland. Can this conference accelerate the global transition to 100% renewable energy? And what does it mean that over 130 countries were not invited?

April 29, 2026Episode 2650 min

Wind Power in the US: From Pioneer to Political Battleground | with Michael Barnard, TFIE

The United States pioneered modern wind power in the 1980s, briefly leading global installations in 2008–2009 before being overtaken by China. While the Inflation Reduction Act created new incentives for growth, the Trump administration has actively sabotaged progress – attempting to ban new wind farms and even paying companies not to build them. Energy analyst Michael Barnard joins us to dissect the current U.S. wind market: How critical is wind energy today in the US? Who are the key players by region and company, what role do the states and local players have? And can states, municipalities, and businesses resist these political attacks to keep the wind power momentum alive?

April 13, 2026Episode 2552 min

Global Wind Power – How to Reach 10 Million Megawatts by 2050 | with Irfan Mirza and Stefan Gsänger

2025 marked a historic milestone: For the first time, the world added 169 GW of new wind capacity in a single year – bringing wind power’s share of global electricity generation to over 11%. While China leads this expansion, dynamic growth is visible worldwide, with countries like Vietnam, Chile, and Turkey emerging as front-runners in wind energy adoption. In this episode, WWEA President Dr. Irfan Mirza and Secretary General Stefan Gsänger discuss: * The current global status of wind power and its market momentum. * Key challenges – from policy frameworks to grid integration – and how to overcome them. * The critical role of community engagement and strong political support in accelerating deployment. With the right conditions, wind power – alongside other renewables – can dominate global energy supply, paving the way for a climate-friendly, peaceful, and prosperous future. To achieve this, the world must and can reach 10 million MW of installed wind capacity by 2050, enabling wind to supply up to 40% of global electricity demand.