National Economy
The population of the Kingdom of Denmark is approximately 5.83 million people[1]. In 2021, 100% of the people in this Scandinavian country had access to electricity[2].
In 2021, Denmark’s economy was ranked 35th in the world in gross domestic product (GDP)[3]. The country’s economy is dependent on the export[4] of packaged medicaments, pork, instruments, electric generators, vaccines, and cheese.
Environment Policies
In 1999, the Danish Parliament approved electricity power generation reform, including promoting renewable energy and the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
In 2009, Denmark as a member of the European Union (EU) committed to the “Renewable Energy Directive,” which requires each country to use renewable energy for 20% of its total energy needs by 2020 and 27% by 2030.
In 2016, Denmark as a member of the EU signed the “Paris Climate Agreement”[5]. The EU committed to a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emission by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.
In 2021, utilities used renewable energy (75.1 %), coal (15.1 %), natural gas (5.9 %), and oil (3.9 %) to generate electricity in Denmark[6]. Wind, biomass, and solar are the primary types of renewable energy used to generate electricity in Denmark.
Recent renewable energy projects in Denmark include:
- 605 MW Offshore Project – In June 2021, Swedish power company, Vattenfall commissioned the Kriegers Flak offshore wind farm, which is located approximately 10 miles off the eastern coast of Denmark.
- 500 MW Solar Project – German solar company, Encavis and Danish renewable energy company, GreenGo Energy are continuing work on the Ringkøbing solar project at a site approximately 125 miles west of the nation’s capital, Copenhagen. The project is scheduled to be commissioned by year-end 2022.
- 200 MW Solar Project – In June 2031, Danish solar company, Better Energy commissioned a solar project in the northwest region of the country.
- 163 MW Solar Project – In July 2021, Danish renewable energy company, Be Green commissioned a solar project at a site approximately 125 miles west of Copenhagen.
- 137 MW Solar Project – In June 2022, People’s Republic of China company, Sungrow commenced work on a solar project at a site approximately 50 miles southwest of Copenhagen. The project is forecast to be commissioned by year-end 2022.
- 111 MW Solar Project – In June 2022, Sungrow commenced work on a solar project at a site approximately 35 miles southwest of Copenhagen. The project is forecast to be commissioned by year-end 2022.
- 67 MW Solar Project – In June 2022, Sungrow commenced work on a solar project at a site approximately 150 miles northwest of Copenhagen. The project is forecast to be commissioned by year-end 2022.
- 50 MW Solar Project – In September 2020, Danish renewable energy company, European Energy commissioned a solar project in the city of Viborg, which is approximately 100 miles northwest of Copenhagen.
Conclusions
Denmark was one of the first countries in the world to develop wind and solar power to replace fossil fuel (coal, oil, and natural gas) fueled power plants. Today, the country is on track to generate 100% of its electricity from renewable energy by 2030.
Denmark is moving toward 100% carbon-free electricity by 2030.
Jack Kerfoot
Website – “Our Energy Conundrum”
www.jackkerfoot.com
Jack Kerfoot is a scientist, energy expert, and author of the book FUELING AMERICA, An Insider’s Journey and articles for The Hill, one of the largest independent political news sites in the United States. He has been interviewed on over 100 radio and television stations from New York City to Los Angeles on numerous energy related topics.
[1] Denmark Population (2022) – June 18, 2022, www.worldometers.info
[2] Access To Electricity (% Population) – The World Bank Group
[3] Gross Domestic Product By Country 2021 – Worldometer
[4] The Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC) – Denmark
[5] Carbon Brief – “2015: Tracking Country Climate Pledges”
[6] Our World In Data, Denmark: Energy Country Profile by Hanna Ritchie and Max Roser