2011 saw Denmark produce 26 percent of its electricity needs from wind power, but the country is aiming for an even higher percentage: it aims to generate 50 percent by the year 2020.
Combined with plans to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 40% by 2020 and phase out fossil fuels altogether by 2050, Denmark is leading the way when it comes to the mass adoption of renewable energy sources. And unlike in some countries, the government has the support of the citizens to spend the money to achieve those goals. In 2009, an amazing 91 percent of Danes surveyed said wind power use should be expanded and 96 percent stated that the government should help support the industry.
“It is widely agreed that wind power will become the backbone of Denmark’s future electricity supply,” said Jan Hylleberg, CEO of the Danish Wind Industry Association
Try getting a consensus and those percentages for government support of anything here in the U.S.
Since 1981, Denmark has made wind an important part of its energy portfolio and thus managed to grow its economy while simultaneously limiting emissions – something many other nations would be hard-pressed to achieve.
“Denmark’s economy has grown 78% while our energy consumption has remained nearly level and our CO2 emissions have fallen. We have achieved this because we have chosen to use our resources in new and intelligent ways. One of these has been wind power,” said Connie Hedegaard, the European Commissioner for Climate Action.
The country has a total installed generation capacity of 3,871 MW, with nearly 1,000 MW of that located offshore at 13 wind farms. It was the pioneer for the offshore technology, bringing the first one one in the world online in 1991. Denmark is currently home to the world’s largest wind turbine industry, exporting some $6.9 billion worth of turbines and supplies to other nations.
[via REVE]
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