WWEA welcomes this programme as a milestone for rural development worldwide. The 5th World Wind Energy Conference 2006 (WWEC 2006) under the theme ‘Energy Independence powered by Wind’ will attract experts from around the world to discuss how to implement such ambitious wind energy programmes for the benefit of human development. According to the Indian Minister for Non-conventional Energy Sources, Vilas Muttemwar, his Ministry will in the coming years electrify 25.000 villages in remote areas with renewable energy sources. The government programme is part of a major rural electrification programme. Currently, around half of India’s 1,1 billion population has no access to modern electricity. India, however, is already leading in grid-connected wind farms being today number four worldwide with currently 5.500MW installed. India is the only country worldwide with an own ministry for renewable energy.