Current Events
- June 20-22 - State Wind Energy Symposium – Harrisonburg, VA
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN - June 16 - KidWind Challenge - Harrisonburg, VA
- June 3-6 - AWEA WINDPOWER 2012 - Atlanta, GA
- Aug 6-9 Wind Energy Engineering Short Course at Penn State University
- May 16 - WPA Webinar: Careers in Wind Energy
- April 28-29 - USA Science and Engineering Festival – Washington, D.C.
- April 19- May 23 - Wind Manufacturing Opportunities Webinars
- April 10-June 22 - 500 Miles/500 Stories
- See All Current Events
Featured Photo
Wind News in the Region
- Updated U.S. Installed Wind Capacity Map
- Distributed Wind Case Study: Cross Island Farms, Wellesley Island, NY
- Virginia OKs Offshore Wind Energy Turbine
- New Guidelines a Step Forward for Bird-Friendly Wind Development
- Dominion Virginia Power interested in VA Offshore Wind Generation
- Wind Conference in Charlotte focuses on Southeast Cooperation
- Energy Department Announces $180 Million for New Initiative to Deploy Offshore
- See All Current News
About Us
Mission Statement
The goal of the Virginia Wind Energy Collaborative is to develop a population of people educated in wind energy topics. This includes educating the public and informing decision-makers about wind power development in Virginia. We continually support the Commonwealth and its need for reliable and affordable energy, high environmental quality, and economic development.
Partners and Supporting Entities
VWEC is an entity of the Virginia Center for Wind Energy (VCWE), and works closely with the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium (VCERC), Appalachian Regional Commission, the American Wind Energy Association, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind Powering America program, the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy – Energy Division, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Virginia’s Planning District Commissions, and regional economic development authorities.
VWEC also works with the island community of Tangier in the Chesapeake Bay, and is responsible for controlling Virginia’s Wind Working Group (WWG) and Strategic Wind Outreach Team (SWOT). VWEC is now a member of the Southeast Regional Wind Energy Institute (RWEI) advisory board.
- VWEC is working with the Appalachian Regional Commission, the American Wind Energy Association, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind Powering America program , The Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy – Energy Division, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Virginia’s Planning District Commissions, and regional economic development authorities to design and conduct wind energy workshops in western Virginia. These workshops will provide opportunities for local officials and planners to interact with national experts. Additionally, elected officials from neighboring states where wind farms have been built will share their experiences with Virginia officials. These collaboratively planned workshops will provide communities with an excellent opportunity to gain understanding of the economic, technical, social, and geographic issues being considered by the wind industry, planners, and academia.
- VWEC is working with the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium (VCERC) to create and implement a comprehensive strategic plan to guide education and outreach efforts in Virginia. A focus of this effort is to educate coastal communities regarding economic development opportunities, regulatory challenges, and environmental costs and benefits. A significant component of this outreach effort is to provide public opportunities for VCERC staff to listen to concerns raised by citizens and elected officials.
- VWEC is working with the island community of Tangier in the Chesapeake Bay to complete a comprehensive wind feasibility study. Community meetings have occurred, and briefings have been held with environmental organizations and state agencies. A related effort will identify opportunities and strategies to improve the energy efficiency of residences and community-owned buildings on the island.
- VWEC is the entity responsible for leading Wind Powering America’s Wind Working Group activities in Virginia, and VWEC is a member of the Southeast Regional Wind Energy Institute (RWEI) Advisory Board.
