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140 per cent of Denmark’s electricity needs covered by wind power
Due to an unusually windy day, wind farms in Denmark managed to produce 140 per cent of the country's electricity needs, thereby manifesting Denmark as a front runner of wind power production.
This particular night, Denmark far surpassed the entire country’s energy needs just through wind power production. The 40 per cent surplus power was exported to Sweden, Norway and Germany.
-Related news: Denmark Confronts the Future and the Past as it Moves to Renewables
An all time-record
According to Energinet.dk, who is responsible for supplying Denmark with electricity and gas, this is a new record for production of wind power, relative to Denmark’s electricity consumption at a given time.
- It is, as far as I can see a new ‘all time-record’. In earlier days, we have managed to reach 135 per cent, but never 140 per cent, says Carsten Vittrup, Strategic Energy Advisor, Energinet.dk.
There are several reasons for the new record, and very windy weather conditions and the time of the year were decisive factors.
- It is not the biggest wind production, but the biggest share of wind. In the summer time, the Danes do not use that much electricity, which makes it easier to reach a large wind share, he adds.
-Related news: It's a Record! 39% of Denmark’s Electricity Consumption Covered by Wind in 2014
The so called wind share indicates how much electricity is produced by wind turbines relative to how much electricity is consumed at a given time.
Denmark as climate front-runners
The European branch organisation for wind power, Ewea, are excited about the Danish record.
- The record shows that a world powered 100 per cent by renewable energy is much closer than you would think, says Kristian Ruby, Head of Political Affairs, Ewea
- Denmark is at the very forefront when it comes to finding solutions to the climate challenge, which is our generation’s biggest challenges, says Ruby.
50 per cent wind power by 2020
According to Energinet.dk the Danish wind share in the first half of 2015 was 43 per cent, and the political goal for 2020 is to reach 50 per cent.
This is, according to Energinet.dk, a realistic goal.
- We reckon that we will be able to reach 50 per cent, and probably also higher than that. Of course we don’t know, if 2020 will be a good wind-year, but if it becomes a normal wind-year, we reckon that we will reach a 55 per cent wind share, says Vittrup.
About a third of Danish wind power comes from offshore wind turbines, while the remaining two thirds is produced by onshore wind turbines.
Energy export
While the Danish wind record hits Denmark, the EU Commission’s proposal for a common Energy Union is politically debated. A proposal that goes hand in hand with the aim to secure cleaner energy, lower prices and higher security of supply in the EU.
- Related news: Every fifth Danish export crown comes from energy
- I agree with the new, Danish Minister for Energy, Supply and Climate, who in Børsen (red. Danish newspaper) wrote that the Energy Unison is an advantage to Denmark, since a more integrated energy market, amongst others, can strengthen the Danish security of supply, and make us more independent of energy from unsteady regions in the world. A closer collaboration can also benefit Denmark, as we are big exporters of green energy technologies and solutions, which is why an ambitious European energy policy, together with a closer collaboration, would also support continued Danish green export, say Jan Hylleberg, CEO, Danish Wind Industry Association.
