The initiative was founded in Bonn by Hermann Scheer on the very same day in 1988.
During the celebration, founding members, representatives of Eurosolar’s international sections, the World Council for Renewable Energy (WCRE) and Eurosolar's Board of Trustees presented their views of Eurosolar's past 25 years.
Addresses by Eurosolar supporters in the German Bundestag and the European Parliament followed.
In addition, Professor Peter Droege, EUROSOLAR’s President since 2011, made some predictions of what the future would bring, and did not shy from anticipated controversies and challenges.
"The next 25 years will be crucial on our path to a renewable Europe," Droege said. "The ecological and economic advantages of the historic energy switch will become the central concern of our societies. More people than ever will benefit from EUROSOLAR’s reliable and forward thinking. We will continue to direct our priorities towards expanding renewable energy rapidly, for a fully renewable energy-based supply, nationally and globally. This will save massive costs, secure new economic power, and counter escalating financial, energy and climate crises."
Eurosolar was founded to work independently of political parties, institutions, and companies in pursuit of a vision: substituting fossil fuels and nuclear energy systems with a sustainable, peaceful and renewable energy-based supply, founded on decentralized local resources close to the citizens.
In his speech at the founding conference on 22 August 1988, Hermann Scheer and Honorary President of Eurosolar (1944-2010), stressed: "Anyone who has his eyes wide open about all conventional energy supply sources must see that humanity has no choice but to pursue the introduction of renewable solar energy as quickly and widely as possible."
Speaking to an international audience of over 100 guests, Managing Director Irm Scheer-Pontenagel stressed: "After more than two decades of commitment Eurosolar has achieved successes for renewable sources of energy in all areas and at all levels. The not-for-profit has influenced energy and environmental policy and has inspired the creation of a social and cultural movement for renewable energy."
The anniversary celebration was rounded out with the publications of "25 Jahre EUROSOLAR – Von der Initiative zum Vorreiter, Von der Vision zur Praxis" – a chronology of organization's first 25 years.
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