Denmark Publishes Paper on Utilising Wind in Energy Sector

Business & Finance

State of Green has launched the White Paper on wind in collaboration with the Danish Wind Industry Association and leading Danish actors across the wind power value chain.

Integrating 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50% wind energy in the electricity system, agreeing on the political framework for large investments and getting the citizens on board for new projects is no easy task. Yet it is possible, and Danish developments in wind power stand testament to this.

Since the end of the 1970s, Denmark has been building a high-tech wind energy industry and has developed into a global hub for wind spanning the entire value chain. In 2004, wind turbines provided 18.8% of Denmark’s electricity consumption. Ten years later the figure had increased to 39.1%, which is a world record. In January 2014 alone, Denmark’s wind turbines reached 61.7%. This is according to figures from Energinet.dk, the Danish transmission system operator responsible for the security of supply of electricity and gas. 

“It can’t be done. It’s not possible to integrate more than a few percent wind energy in the electricity system. These are the words we sometimes hear when foreign visitors visit Energinet.dk. However, when we open the door to our control room and show them that we on any given day have 20, 30, 40% wind energy or more in our electricity system, we are not presenting them with a theoretical calculation or case story. What they see is a quiet control room without panic and the electricity system that supplies Danish households and businesses with electricity – which has one of the highest levels of security of supply in Europe,” said Peder Østermark Andreasen, CEO, Energinet.dk.

The 13 offshore wind farms in Denmark are crucial to reach the Danish goal of a fossil-free future by 2050. Today, onshore wind power has become the cheapest energy source for new electricity generation in Denmark, undercutting coal and natural gas, according to a cost analysis performed by the Danish Energy Agency. In terms of offshore, with a price of 10.31 Eurocent per. kWh., the new offshore wind farm, Horns Rev 3, will provide power much cheaper than other recently established offshore wind farms in Denmark and abroad.

“Denmark is in the middle of a green transition and wind energy plays a big part in creating an energy system based on renewable energy sources. (…) It was the question of energy security that sparked the Danish transition. The recent development in our part of the world shows that the question of energy security of supply is more relevant than ever. Wind energy is a great way to meet this challenge,” said Danish Minister for Climate, Energy and Building Rasmus Helveg Petersen in the foreword of the white paper.

This white paper on wind: “Wind Energy Moving Ahead – How Denmark utilises wind in the energy sector” gathers lessons learned from different Danish players and legislators within the wind energy sector, supported by state-of-the-art case examples showing, for instance, how integrating wind, investing in wind and optimising products to make more wind for less money is being done every day.

The content is meant to serve has a helpful tool for international stakeholders who wish to gain an overview of the Danish approach to utilise wind, who want to spot the potentials of wind power, or are looking for Danish business partners.

The white paper has been developed by State of Green and the Danish Wind Industry Association.

Image: danishflag.facts (Illustration)