Denmark: The Current Global Leader in the Wind Energy Field

Wind energy currently satisfies 14% of the electricity demand in Denmark Wind energy currently satisfies 14% of the electricity demand in Denmark The Danish government expects wind power to account for 50% of domestic generation by The Danish government expects wind power to account for 50% of domestic generation by 2030.

The increasing number of offshore wind farms: Why go offshore? Poor remaining resources: Denmark has never been rich in high-quality wind resources, and most of the suitable land resource is already utilized. Poor remaining resources: Denmark has never been rich in high-quality wind resources, and most of the suitable land resource is already utilized. Competing land uses: Denmark is a densely populated country, with correspondingly high land costs. Competing land uses: Denmark is a densely populated country, with correspondingly high land costs. Landscape impacts: Although the Danish people seem largely to have shared in their government’s commitment to wind power, there is some evidence of growing resistance to further visual intrusion by the increasingly tall wind turbines in rural areas. Landscape impacts: Although the Danish people seem largely to have shared in their government’s commitment to wind power, there is some evidence of growing resistance to further visual intrusion by the increasingly tall wind turbines in rural areas. That is where the wind is. That is where the wind is.

Pilot Projects Vindeby, Tunø Knob and Middelgrunden

In 1991, Elkraft (a Danish energy producing company) established a 5 MW test plant at Vindeby. In 1991, Elkraft (a Danish energy producing company) established a 5 MW test plant at Vindeby. In 1995, Elsam followed suit and established a 5 MW wind power plant at sea at Tunø Knob In 1995, Elsam followed suit and established a 5 MW wind power plant at sea at Tunø Knob In 2000 Denmark commissioned what is, for now, the largest commercial offshore operation, a 20-turbine, 40-megawatt facility on the Middelgrunden shoal off of Copenhagen. In 2000 Denmark commissioned what is, for now, the largest commercial offshore operation, a 20-turbine, 40-megawatt facility on the Middelgrunden shoal off of Copenhagen.

A Brief History: Teacher Poul la Cour generates first wind-powered electricity. Teacher Poul la Cour generates first wind-powered electricity Oil crisis prompts renewed interest in wind energy. Oil crisis prompts renewed interest in wind energy First wind turbine connected to the grid. First wind turbine connected to the grid Risø wind energy test station and research centre opens. Risø wind energy test station and research centre opens First government support for wind turbines. First government support for wind turbines National Energy Plan sets goal for 1,000 megawatts of wind energy by National Energy Plan sets goal for 1,000 megawatts of wind energy by Nuclear power abandoned as fuel source. Nuclear power abandoned as fuel source.

First offshore wind farm built at Vindeby. First offshore wind farm built at Vindeby Wind power capacity grows to 500 megawatts, enough for 3% of electricity. Wind power capacity grows to 500 megawatts, enough for 3% of electricity Second offshore wind farm opens at Tunø Knob. Second offshore wind farm opens at Tunø Knob Wind power capacity reaches 1,200 megawatts, enough to satisfy 7% of the country's electricity demand. Wind power capacity reaches 1,200 megawatts, enough to satisfy 7% of the country's electricity demand Government adopts target for 5,500 megawatts of wind power by 2030, mostly offshore. Government adopts target for 5,500 megawatts of wind power by 2030, mostly offshore.