Global Wind Day 2023: Date, History, Facts about Wind Energy

The use of wind power as a source of energy dates back thousands of years. Egyptians were using wind power to propel their vessels on the Nile River as early as 5,000 B.C.

Global Wind Day is annually observed on June 15. It is a global event to raise awareness about the significance of wind energy and its capacity to transform the world, enhance energy systems, and decarbonize economies. Investing in wind energy reduces expenditures on fossil fuel imports, resulting in a smaller carbon footprint and reduced CO2 emissions for clearer air on our planet. On this day, we learn not only how wind power contributes to a verdant planet, but also about job creation and employment opportunities for a large number of individuals.

The background of Global Wind Day

The use of wind power as a source of energy dates back thousands of years. Egyptians were using wind power to propel their vessels on the Nile River as early as 5,000 B.C. In 200 B.C., the Chinese improved upon this by inventing wind-powered water turbines. In addition, people from the Middle East and Persia discovered windmills with blades made of woven reeds, which allowed grain to be ground with greater speed and less labour, resulting in more efficient food production.

Heron of Alexandria did not invent the windmill until the first century A.D. According to historians, this was the first wind-powered wheel ever recorded. A small windmill was used to power a piston that propels air through the organ pipes. According to the recordings, its sound resembled that of a flute.

Windmills became prevalent in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iraq during the Middle Ages. They were used to pump water and crush sugarcane, which ultimately bolstered their flour milling industry. In 1180, this technology was introduced to Northwestern Europe, where it became a popular instrument for grinding flour, a system that still exists today.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, colonists introduced windmills to the United States. In Western America, homesteaders and ranchers installed thousands of water pumps and small wind-electric generators.

Due to energy shortages in the 1970s, the potential of wind power was investigated further. This necessitated that everyone find an alternative energy source to generate electricity. Due to this energy shortage, the federal government of the United States installed thousands of wind turbines in California to promote the use of renewable energy sources. In contrast to the 1990s, when wind power accounted for only 1% of U.S. electricity generation, by 2020 its proportion had risen to 8.4%.

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