“Wind Experts” is an educational program designed to raise awareness among younger generations about the issue of climate change and demonstrate the role that renewable energy plays in mitigating it; across all its editions to date, it has already reached approximately 500 elementary school students in Viana do Castelo.
This fourth edition of “Wind Experts” took place in Viana do Castelo, in collaboration with the City Council and five local elementary schools, with 165 students participating.
May 6th, Viana do Castelo. Ocean Winds (OW), a global leader in offshore wind energy and a 50–50 joint venture between EDP Renewables and ENGIE, the main shareholder and operator of the WindFloat Atlantic floating wind farm located off the coast of Viana do Castelo, has successfully concluded the fourth edition of its “Wind Experts” educational program with a lively and well-attended closing ceremony, culminating in a final celebration that included the presentation of awards to the winning schools and student groups.
Following three successful previous editions, this year the program brought together 165 students from five schools in the Viana do Castelo region: Escola Básica 2,3 da Abelheira, Escola Básica 2,3 de Carteado Mena, Escola Básica 2,3 Frei Bartolomeu dos Mártires, Escola Básica 2,3 Dr. Pedro Barbosa e Escola Básica 2,3 Pintor José de Brito.
“Wind Experts” aims to inform and engage among younger generations about the global challenge of climate change and the benefits and potential of renewable energy, particularly offshore wind energy, in addressing it. As part of this initiative, students attended several classes featuring educational content designed to understand climate change and exploring effective solutions to mitigate its consequences.
The next phase was a competition among all these students, in which the main challenge was to build a wind turbine model using recycled materials, drawing inspiration from the WindFloat Atlantic floating offshore wind farm. This competition promotes teamwork, challenges creativity, and encourages the development of innovative ideas, ultimately resulting in a single winner.
Of the 45 models submitted in this fourth edition, the OW team selected 5 finalists – one from each school – for the final round.
The closing event and awards ceremony, held in the auditorium of the School of Health at IPVC (Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo), was attended by the OW team, all the students and teachers participating in this edition of the program, and the members of the jury – composed of three persons of recognized merit: the Councillor for the Environment and Climate Transition of the Viana do Castelo City Council, Eng. Fabíola Oliveira; the Member of the Portuguese National Committee for the Ocean Decade, Retired Full Professor M.ª João Bebianno; and João Zamith, President of the Viana Surf Club and the Surfing Viana High-Performance Centre (CAR Surf).
The winning group was selected solely by the jury (external to Ocean Winds), which evaluated each of the five projects presented in the final round, assessing their design, functionality, creativity, and message. A group of four students from Escola Básica 2,3 Pintor José de Brito was selected. The winning school received a €3.000 voucher, and each member of the winning team was awarded an iPad. In this edition, the 2nd and 3rd place winners were also awarded prizes; with a €2.000 voucher awarded to Escola Básica 2,3 da Abelheira (2nd place) and a €1.000 voucher to Escola Básica 2,3 Frei Bartolomeu dos Mártires (3rd place).
In addition, all students received a certificate of participation, recognizing their involvement and dedication to this challenging initiative, which inspires creativity.
Fabíola Oliveira, the Councillor for the Environment and Climate Transition of the Viana do Castelo City Council, mentioned: “Congratulation to Ocean Winds for addressing the important and urgent issue of renewable energy in a way that involves the school community, promoting collaboration between businesses and the school community while fostering curiosity and team spirit with a focus on the scientific method”.
M.ª João Bebianno, Member of the Portuguese National Committee for the Ocean Decade underlined: “This initiative was a success, and it is an excellent example of the initiatives carried out in Portugal. I want to bring this example to the Coordination Unit of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development”.
José Pinheiro, OW Country Manager Iberia referred: “Over the course of several editions, we have witnessed a steady increase in the number of participating schools and a clear enthusiasm for this initiative among students, teachers, and local authorities, which underscores the positive impact of this initiative on the community,” confirming also that a new edition of the contest will be held next school year for elementary schools in Viana do Castelo.
Through these initiatives, Ocean Winds demonstrates that it develops, operates and owns its wind farm in harmony with the territory, reinforcing its commitment to investing in society and the local community through its projects – in particular, by promoting education for future generations -while reinforcing its commitment to leading the expansion of floating wind energy and promoting its full potential on a global scale.
