The Association of Renewable Energy Companies (APPA Renovables) has a global focus and represents the interests of the renewable energy sector to national and international organisations. The entity’s member base consists of more than 460 companies from the entire value chain of the renewable energy sector in Spain, most of them being energy producers.
In addition to promoting the interests of the renewable energy sector at the national level, APPA Renovables (APPA) extends its influence and activities to European and international levels. Part of their work is carried out in Europe through collaborations with European associations and participation in projects funded through initiatives such as Horizon Europe and Horizon 2020. APPA is committed to the decarbonisation of the energy system and strives to communicate the benefits of clean energy production and generation, promoting a sustainable energy system. Given this commitment to society and its perception of renewable energies, the WENDY project presents a perfect opportunity for collaboration, as the objectives of the project align closely with the spirit of the association.
The APPA Team in the WENDY Project
At APPA Renovables, Irma Villar, Project Director, and Lucía Paloma Castillo, Project Technician, are the primary staff members involved in the WENDY project. They are supported by APPA’s strong Communication Department, with whom they closely coordinate various actions for the communication and dissemination of the project. Additionally, APPA’s Wind Energy Technical and Regulation Department provides support on other related matters.
“The WENDY project is proving to be an extremely enriching opportunity for our association. Not only is it giving us the opportunity to share the Spanish industry’s experience and knowledge with Europe, but it is also allowing APPA and its associates to gain a more tangible and closer perspective on how to address the crucial and worrying challenge of social acceptance of wind energy,” says Irma Villar, Project Director in APPA Renovables.
A Holistic Approach to Wind Energy Challenges
As APPA represents the entire value chain of the wind energy sector, this project partner has a comprehensive and accurate perspective of the sector’s reality, encompassing both its strengths and challenges. All of this technical, regulatory, environmental, and social knowledge has been integrated into the project’s actions.
“At APPA, we are very conscious that difficulties can emerge around the social acceptance of wind projects. Therefore, being part of a project that focuses on unravelling the factors that influence this acceptability is a key opportunity for us. Especially, when it is a project that goes further by performing a holistic analysis that encompasses all the levels necessary to obtain solid and coherent results,” Irma Villar concludes.
The APPA team maintains a positive attitude and believes that the project results will be useful and relevant for the renewable energy sector.
Authors: Irma Villar, and Lucía Paloma Castillo.
ed. M. Farstad