A new initiative to enhance skills and promote growth in wind energy is being launched under the SHOREWINNER project.

According to an announcement by the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), the project brings together five Centers of Excellence in Vocational Education from Southern Europe, including Cyprus, Greece, Spain, Italy, and Portugal. These centers will offer free vocational training in renewable energy, particularly wind energy, facilitate business networking in these sectors, and provide support for further development.

Aligned with the European Green Deal, SHOREWINNER supports the EU's goals of achieving 60 GW of wind energy and 1 GW of marine energy by 2030, with increases to 300 GW and 40 GW, respectively, by 2050.

The SHOREWINNER initiative focuses on upgrading skills and continuously renewing the knowledge of the workforce in wind energy and renewable energy sectors. It aims to address critical skill gaps through the development of comprehensive training programs.

In Cyprus, the SHOREWINNER community of practice includes the University of Cyprus (UCY), the CARDET - Center for Research and Education, the CCCI, and INTERCOLLEGE - School of Vocational Education and Training.

At this stage, the CCCI is inviting trainers, academics, professionals, entrepreneurs, consultants, and students to participate in a survey to identify skill gaps by completing relevant questionnaires. Interested parties are asked to submit their responses by August 30, 2024.

The CCCI also notes that, in addition to the survey, those interested can join the SHOREWINNER Community of Practice. For more information, interested individuals can visit the SHOREWINNER project website.

Wind energy, particularly from offshore sources, offers stable energy production due to consistent wind conditions at sea, reducing power fluctuations. Offshore installations also minimize visual impact and leverage favorable temperature conditions, especially in floating photovoltaics. This leads to greater energy independence and opportunities for investment and innovation.