Denmark set to use wind power to supply 50% of its electricity

The Danish Government has unveiled an ambitious low carbon strategy which aims to make greater use of renewables and reduce carbon emissions by more than 34% by 2020.


As part of the strategy, Denmark aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by more than a third against a 1990 baseline, as well as cutting energy consumption by more than 12%, against a 2006 baseline.

To achieve this Denmark intends to supply 35% of its total electricity from renewable sources, with 50% of this coming from wind power.

An agreement has been reached between the Danish Liberal and
Conservative parties to build two offshore wind parks, with a capacity
of 1,000MW off the coast of Denmark by 2020.

It is anticipated the agreement will help Denmark, which is already at the forefront in renewable energy, hit a target of generating 100% of energy from renewables by 2050.

Commenting on the deal, Danish minister for climate, energy and building, Martin Lidegaard, said that wind parks will be central to its green energy targets, saying that “Denmark will once again be the global leader in the transition to green energy”.

According to the Danish Energy Association, the energy industry has supported these political ambitions by investing billions in the new power generation, smart grids and interconnectors.

International and EU affairs director Ulrich Bang, said: “We see the targets as very ambitious but realistic. If given the right incentives we will make the needed investments to transform and electrify our energy system.”

However, he said that EU regulation and internal energy market support will be needed to help fulfill these ambitions.

Carys Matthews

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