An opportunity to visit one of Europe's highest wind parks and do your bit for a great charity awaits in the run-up to the European Wind Energy Association's EWEA 2013 show, taking place in Vienna, Austria, from 4-7 February.

By bidding in an auction for the chance to visit the Tauernwindpark Oberzeiring project – which at some 1900 metres above sea level in the Austrian alps is only accessible by skidoo - delegates at EWEA 2013 can also support access to renewable energy for those in less developed regions.

Proceeds from the auction will fund the work of Renewable World, EWEA’s chosen charity, which is tackling poverty in the developing world through renewable energy projects.

Renewable World stimulates market-based development of affordable, reliable renewable energy services from wind, solar, hydro and biogas for some of the poorest people in the world. They work with those who presently cannot afford or are not serviced by private energy providers, and are most impacted by climate change. To date, some 10,000 poor consumers have benefitted from the renewable energy services the charity promotes.

Renewable World spokesperson Fran Witt commented: “We promote the effective use of energy for productive purposes to enhance income generation opportunities and local enterprise development to kick start market processes.” She added: “Our projects bring light to houses, schools and hospitals and provide people and agriculture with clean water. Access to energy stimulates the economy and entrepreneurship and improves access to education and health services.”

With the auction now open, those placing the six highest bids will travel to the snowy alpine peaks to visit this milestone development. Unless privacy is explicitly requested, those bidding will see their name, organisation and their offer published online.

To win, a bid has to be higher than the actual highest one on all six Skidoos and new bids can only be submitted in €50 increments. For example, if the highest bid is €250, to secure a chance to win a subsequent bid will have to be €300 or more. It is also possible bid for more than one Skidoo.

All those involved in the auction, such as media partner Renewable Energy World, are doing so on a voluntary basis in order to be able to donate all of the collected money to Renewable World. For example, the Skidoo transport is being offered free of charge by the Austrian IMWIND organisation.

Those adventurous enough to take part will visit Oberzeiring during the EWEA 2013 event, from 5-7 February, with a coach set to leave Messe Wien at 9:00 am on either the Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.

Limited to eight persons, this trip will only be executed if weather conditions allow a safe journey. In the event that bad weather makes the trip impossible, it will not take place and no replacement date will be suggested. Nevertheless, every bid will be binding and fully used to support the work of the Renewable World charity.

Transfer to the skidoo – piloted by a professional driver – will take place at Oberzeiring before the site visit and arrival back in Vienna is anticipated at around 17:00 pm

The winners of the auction will be announced during the Opening Reception of the EWEA 2013 event on 4 February 2013 in theViennaCity Hall. They will also be notified via email.

The auction is open until Monday, 4 February 2013, at 15.00 (CET).

To bid, please send an email to: auction@ewea.org or visit the Wind Farm Trip Auction Page here.