Wind power is a so-called "zero impact" energy source, that is to say, harmless to the atmosphere: this explains its widespread use throughout Europe and the world, in the spirit of the Kyoto Protocol that has set stringent standards for the reduction of CO2 emissions.

Over the last decade, wind energy has grown ten-fold worldwide, passing from 4.800 MW in 1995 to over 47.300 MW in 2004. More and more wind turbines are expected to be installed in the next ten years, thanks in particular to the policies of several European countries which have encouraged its development.

Through Falck Renewables Plc, the Falck Group has chosen to play a leading role in this particular energy and industrial sector.

Falck Renewables was founded in August 2002 and is head-quartered in London. Its purpose is to contribute towards satisfying the increasing demand for renewable energy through the development, financing, building and operation of wind farms and the sale of electricity therein generated.

The activities in Spain are located at Cabezo San Roque, owned 95,5% and at Plana de Jarreta and La Carracha S.L. each with a participation of 26%, for a total capacity of 99MW.

Falck Renewables also owns and operates the U.K’ s largest “on-shore” wind farm. Built at a cost of £ 50 million and with a capacity of 58,5 MW, the Cefn Croes facility is today in a position to satisfy the energy demands of as many as 42.000 households leading to a savings in carbon-dioxide emissions to the tune of 160.000 tons per annum.

Future plans of Falck Renewables envisage plant construction in England, Scotland and Wales, France, the Mediterranean basin and on Europe’s Atlantic Coast.

A recent feather in the cap for Falck Renewables was the award of "Entrepreneurial Developer of the Year" part of the Renewable Energy Awards 2005.

An initiative of the magazine Euromoney in association with Ernst & Young, the prize is designed as a recognition of innovative projects pertinent to technology, development and finance within the field of energy from renewable sources.

The awarding jury listed some milestones of the London-based company: an innovative approach to partnership in both the Italian and English markets, the clearance obtained for six wind farms and the arrangement for financing that, unprecedented for renewable energy sources, includes the so-called “merchant capacity”, meaning the generated electricity is sold without any long-term contract.