Denmark has been long been a pioneer in wind power, having installed its first turbines in the mid-1970s when oil shocks sent the import-dependent nation on a quest for energy security. 37 years later, the country has set a new world record for wind production by getting 39.1 percent of its overall electricity from wind in 2014. We take a look at Denmark’s achievements…
The news of Denmark’s feat adds to the national records the U.K. and Germany set for 2014 and further establishes Europe as a leader in the wind power industry. This is especially true when it comes to offshore resources, as countries like Scotland, England, and Denmark build their offshore wind farms. Wind generated enough electricity to power just over 25 percent of U.K. homes in 2014 – a 15 percent increase from 2013.
In December, Germany generated more wind power, 8.9 terawatt-hours, than in any previous month. Denmark’s efforts last year puts the Northern European nation well on track to meet its 2020 goal of getting 50 percent of its power from renewables.
A big source of the surge of Denmark’s wind production this year came from the addition of around 100 new offshore wind turbines. In January of 2014, the peninsular country got just over 61 percent of its power from wind. This is more than three times the overall production of 10 years ago, when wind only made up 18.8 percent of the energy supply. The country has a long-term goal of being fossil fuel-free by 2050.
