Wind energy is one of the fastest growth industries in the world. In other parts of the world, wind turbines have proved economically viable, and the technology is well developed. With due attention to social and environmental impacts increased utilization of wind resources can therefore contribute to sustainable energy development.

In spite of these obvious advantages of wind power, barriers in the form of lack of knowledge about wind energy technology and investment options, lack of awareness of long-term benefits and lack of incentives for technology transfer in current policies persist.

Against this backdrop, the Seminar on facilitation of technology transfer for the enhanced utilization of wind energy was held from 29 November to 3 December 2004 in Beijing, China. The seminar was jointly organized by UNESCAP and the Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association (CREIA) with funding support from the Government of China.

Participants from China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan attended the Seminar. The Seminar discussed the present development of wind energy technologies in the UNESCAP region, policy options for increased utilization of wind technology, mechanisms for enhancing technology transfer, and ways to promote further cooperation between the participating countries for the promotion of wind technology transfer. Site visits to wind farms and wind turbine manufacturers were arranged to obtain first hand information for technology transfer.

• Policies on facilitation of technology transfer should be developed and national wind energy development plans with clear targets and priorities in support of technology transfer should be formulated;

• Capacity building efforts related to institutional arrangements, in particular for strengthening linkages among governments, research institutions, private sector entities as well as NGOs for technology transfer, should be enhanced;

• Innovative financial instruments and arrangements for facilitation of technology transfer for the enhanced utilization of wind energy technology should be introduced. To this end, financial support of technology transfer and development projects should not solely depend on conventional funding sources but also consider other mechanisms such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM);

• Knowledge sharing on technology and experiences pertaining to introduction of technologies should be encouraged;

• Further development and adaptation of wind energy technology and products through inter-country cooperation including South-South cooperation should be supported.