The green transition of the Danish energy sector shows significant effects. Between 2004 and 2012 carbon emissions have been reduced to such an extent, that it corresponds to 2.5 million petrol-driven cars.

Integration of wind power, bioenergy and solar into the Danish electricity system has remarkable effects on CO2 emissions reductions. According to the Danish Energy Association, the sector has reduced 6.3 million tonnes of CO2 between 2004 and 2012, corresponding to 2.5 million cars. In comparison, the total number of cars registered in Denmark is 2.2 million.

“This is good news, and it illustrates how the energy sector is taking the first massive step towards a fossil independent society, in line with the political ambition. It also underlines the fact that we can utilise more electricity with a better conscience, and there is good reason to replace the oil-fired boiler with electric heat pumps and using electric cars instead of petrol-driven ones”, says Lars Aagaard, CEO of the Danish Energy Association.

Since 2004 the share of wind power in Danish electricity production has increased from 19% to about 30%. The share of biomass has increased from 8% to 13%, while solar power accounts for approximately 1%.The Danish energy agreement of 2012 has set out the target of 50% wind power in electricity production by 2020, and it is expected that biomass will constitute up to 20% by 2020.

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