Vestas launched global campaign to channel public support toward political action favouring wind energy

Vestas Group Senior Vice President Morten Albæk says, “The wind industry is being attacked by media-savvy and politically influential adversaries who often display a brazen disregard for factual information. The “Act on Facts” campaign is our way of fighting back.”

19-6-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Vestas this week launches the first phase of a cutting-edge global campaign to separate myths from facts and to channel public support toward political action favouring wind energy.  The campaign embodies a unique approach to dealing with significant business challenges, integrating multiple marketing, communications, and public affairs channels and platforms.

Starting in Australia, a hot-bed of anti-wind activity, the Act on Facts launch event at the University of Melbourne features a live panel discussion about the tactics used by anti-wind energy activist groups and what the wind industry can do to counter the wild claims and convert the quiet majority of wind energy supporters* into active campaigners.

Together with leading wind energy players such as Infigen Energy Managing Director Miles George and a panel of experts on climate, health and regional development, Vestas Group Senior Vice President Morten Albæk will unveil the Act on Facts campaign, including the web portal www.actonfacts.org.  The portal features well-documented, fact-based information to help dispel the scare campaigns peddled by anti-wind activists as well as up-to-date information on pro-wind initiatives in which local citizens can engage.

According to Infigen Energy Managing Director Miles George, “This campaign is a crucial part of the industry’s efforts to take back the initiative from the anti-wind movement and share some facts with the Australian people.  Wind energy projects that could save up to five million tonnes of CO2 emissions every year are being stalled by scare campaigns and misinformation.”

Vestas Group Senior Vice President Morten Albæk adds, “It is important to distinguish between genuine local concerns and the increasingly professional anti-wind activists whose strategy seems designed to confuse and inflame the debate. “Act on Facts” is a bold stroke to counter that strategy. Veering off the well-trodden public relations path entails risks. But playing it safe is even riskier.”
(* According to Essential Research (http://essentialvision.com.au/wind-farms),76 per cent support building wind farms in Australia to produce renewable energy and 11 per cent oppose.  Support was over 70% across all demographic groups.)

The Act on Facts launch event takes place:

Tuesday, June 18, 12:15 PM to 1:30 PM (EST)
University of Melbourne
Theatre One
Business and Economics Building
111 Barry St, Carlton VIC 3053

The program includes:

Keynote speaker:
Morten Albæk – Group Senior Vice-President, Vestas Wind Systems

Moderator/Chair:
Kane Thornton – Deputy Chief Executive, Clean Energy Council

Speakers:
Simon Chapman – Professor of Public Health, University of Sydney
Miles George – Managing Director, Infigen Energy
Simon Holmes à Court – Chairman, Embark Australia
Fiona Armstrong – Convenor, Climate and Health Alliance
Frank Brennan – Former CEO, Wattle Range Shire Council, South Australia

To take part in the event, please sign up at: www.actonfacts.org/event

For more information on Act on Facts please visit http://www.vestas.com/en/media/media-kit/act-on-facts-australia.aspx

Or contact:

In Melbourne:
Ken McAlpine, Director, Public Affairs, Vestas Asia Pacific & China
Mobile:  +61 408 105 403
Email:  kenmc@vestas.com

In Denmark:
Michael Zarin, Head of External Communications, Vestas Wind Systems A/S
Mobile:  +45 4084 1526
Email:  mizar@vestas.com

About Vestas

Every single day, Vestas wind turbines deliver clean energy that supports the global fight against climate change. Wind power from Vestas’ around 49,000 wind turbines currently reduces carbon emissions by over 60 million tons of CO2 every year, while at the same time building energy security and independence.

Today, Vestas has delivered wind energy in 73 countries, providing jobs for around 17,000 passionate people at our service and project sites, research facilities, factories and offices all over the world. With 62 per cent more megawatts installed than our closest competitor and more than 56 GW of cumulative installed capacity worldwide, Vestas is the world leader in wind energy.

We invite you to learn more about Vestas by visiting our website at www.vestas.com