NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--WindMade™, the first global consumer label for companies using wind energy, was presented to the public on Global Wind Day (15 June) in New York City. The proposed standard requires participating companies to source a minimum of 25 per cent of their electricity demand from wind power, a level set to strike a balance between an ambitious target and an achievable goal for progressive companies striving to make a tangible impact.
Interested companies can review the proposed certification process at www.windmade.org, and have 60 days to submit comments on it.
“We believe that the label will build a bridge between consumers and companies committed to clean energy,” said Steve Sawyer, Chairman of the WindMade™ Board and Secretary General of GWEC.
”I firmly believe that today’s launch is the beginning of a movement that will make a real difference to investments in wind power around the world”, said WindMade’s™ newly appointed CEO Henrik Kuffner.
The proposed WindMade™ standard was developed by a Technical Committee of experts from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), LEGO, Climate Friendly, Gold Standard, and Vestas Wind Systems, with Öko-Institut and PricewaterhouseCoopers acting as advisors. In addition, the first draft of the standard was reviewed by a Sounding Board, comprised of companies and organisations including Walmart, 3Degrees, Better Place, Dong Energy, and others.
“WWF was deeply involved in developing the WindMade™ standard. We believe that the criteria as proposed today live up to the high standards necessary for the label to serve consumers’ desire to make tangible impact and boost clean renewables,” said Samantha Smith, Leader Global Climate and Energy Initiative, WWF.
“Market-driven solutions like WindMade will increase voluntary purchasing of renewable energy, and complement the national and state standards that create the market,” said Elizabeth Salerno, Chief Economist for AWEA, and a member of the Technical Committee.
Following the public consultation (15 June-15 August), the final standard for companies is expected to be presented in September, after which companies can apply for WindMade™ membership and undergo the certification process. Work on a standard for products is scheduled to begin later this year.
For more information, please visit www.windmade.org.