Securing sustainable, reliable and affordable energy supply and addressing climate change are major challenges for Europe today. In 2010 more new wind energy capacity was made available in Europe than any other power generating technology, reaching a cumulative total of 84 GW. This demonstrates the growing recognition that wind energy is a low-risk, sustainable investment that creates jobs, generates technological leadership, enables greater energy independence and helps protect the climate.As one of the largest financiers of wind energy in Europe, the EIB is organising this conference to address some of the pressing questions facing the offshore ad onshore wind energy sector.