Denmark has played a pioneering role in wind energy for decades.

With the development of the first onshore wind farms in the 1970s, Denmark started early in laying the foundation for a strong wind industry. By the 1980s, modern wind turbines were widely deployed in the Danish landscape, demonstrating the potential of large-scale wind energy. In 1991, Denmark made history as the first country to install a commercial offshore wind farm, marking a major milestone in the global transition to renewables.

Despite being a small country, Denmark has made significant investments in both onshore and offshore wind and has positioned itself as a leading player in the global wind energy industry, demonstrating how to utilise the power of the wind to generate clean, renewable electricity for millions of people.

Contributes to Danish economy

For more than 50 years, Denmark’s wind industry has continued to mature and expand. By 2023, it employed approximately 33,500 people – representing 2 percent of total private sector full-time employment. It is an industry characterised by high productivity and a strong export focus, with the vast majority of its technology, products and services sold internationally.

In 2023, wind energy accounted for over 40 percent of Denmark’s total energy technology exports, highlighting the sector’s significant contribution to the national economy and its ongoing growth.

Comprehensive and mature value chain

The Danish wind value chain is comprehensive, spanning the entire life cycle of a wind turbine and supported by a tightly connected network of competencies and services that work seamlessly together. Denmark is home to around 500 companies operating within the wind industry, located in close proximity to one another. This geographic concentration provides easy access to test facilities, innovation centres, production sites, and ports specifically designed to handle wind turbines.

At the core of this ecosystem are world-leading manufacturers like Vestas and Siemens Gamesa, who lead the way in wind turbine design and production. They are supported by a robust network of suppliers specialising in components, materials, advanced software and digitalisation, ensuring the industry’s innovative edge.

Collaboration and innovation form the backbone of Denmark’s wind industry, and a guiding principle is shared confidentiality, knowledge-exchange and a common goal to accelerate the green transition. Strong partnerships between businesses, academia and public institutions drive technological advancements, improve product quality, enhance reliability and performance, and continuously reduce costs to maintain cost-competitive and socioeconomically sustainable solution.