Danish local media has stated figures from Energinet.dk which reveal that 39% of all electricity used in Denmark in 2014 was generated by wind power. Production varied between nearly 62% in January and 23% in June.

Energinet.dk attributed the increase in electricity production to more than 100 new offshore windmills installed in 2014. Danish Climate Minister Rasmus Helveg Petersen told broadcaster DR that he believes Denmark is well on its way to achieving its 2020 goal of 50% of electricity produced by wind power.

Record-breaking

Meanwhile, reports from Germany reveal the country saw a record amount of electricity produced from wind energy in December, with renewable energy research institute IWR citing a record 8.9TWh of electricity generated by wind during the month.

IWR director Norbert Allnoch said: “The main reason for the record-breaking wind power production is the current cyclonic weather with lots of low pressure areas.”

IWR believes the record will be overtaken in 2015 as more offshore wind projects come online.

Energy Union

These European announcements come hot off the heals of data released by the National Grid, which revealed that UK wind energy generation rose by 15% in 2014, powering nearly 25% of UK homes all year around. Scotland led the way with 98% of Scottish households’ electrical needs being supplied throughout 2014 and more than 100% being catered for during six of the 12 months.

In September, edie reported on the announcement by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker of a major reorganisation of the EU’s climate change and energy departments into a new Energy Union, in a bid to reduce the energy dependency of several Member States.

Junker said he hoped the Energy Union will make the EU more independent, strengthen the share of renewable energies and increase Europe’s energy efficiency.

Lois Vallely

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