The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Keve) this week announced the launch of the Shorewinner project.
This initiative, Keve explained, is aligned with the European Green Deal, and seeks to enhance skills and promote growth in the wind energy sector.
According to the announcement, the project supports the EU’s ambitious targets of achieving 60 GW of wind power and 1 GW of marine power by 2030, increasing to 300 GW and 40 GW respectively by 2050.
“Wind energy, especially from offshore sources, offers stable energy production due to consistent wind conditions at sea, which helps in reducing power fluctuations,” the chamber said in a statement.
“Offshore installations also minimise visual disturbance and benefit from favourable temperature conditions, particularly in floating photovoltaics,” it added.
The chamber explained that this will help to establish greater energy independence and “open up opportunities for investment and innovation“.
Moreover, the Shorewinner initiative aims to address critical skills gaps by upskilling and reskilling the workforce in the wind energy sector.
It brings together five Centres of Vocational Excellence from Southern Europe, including Cyprus, Greece, Spain, Italy, and Portugal, to offer free vocational training in the renewable energy sector.
“This project not only provides training but also facilitates business networking in these sectors and supports their further development,” the chamber stated.
In Cyprus, the Shorewinner Community of Practice includes the University of Cyprus (UCY), CARDET – Centre for Research and Education, Keve itself, and Intercollege – School of Vocational Education and Training.
The chamber then extended an invitation to trainers, academics, professionals, entrepreneurs, consultants, and students to participate in a survey to identify skills gaps.
It added that contributions are requested by August 30, 2024, and all collected data will remain confidential.
What is more, those interested in joining the Shorewinner Community of Practice can express their interest through the provided channels.
“We encourage all stakeholders to take part in this vital initiative to help shape the future of renewable energy in Europe,” the chamber concluded.
