Denmark aims to get 50% of all electricity from wind power
The country aims to supply 35% of its total energy from renewables by 2020 and 100% by 2050
guardian.co.uk, Monday 26 March 2012 06.44 EDT
Denmark aims to supply 35% of its total energy from renewables by 2020 and 100% by 2050. Photograph: Alamy
The Danish government has stepped up its green energy and carbon reduction targets for 2020, hailing the plan as the "broadest, greenest, and most long-term energy agreement" it has ever reached.
Danish minister for climate, energy and building, Martin Lidegaard, confirmed on Friday that parliament had agreed a new set of goals designed to wean the country off oil and gas.
The deal aims to see Denmark cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 34% by 2020 compared to 1990 levels and decrease energy consumption by more than 12% compared to 2006.
It also aims to supply 35% of its total energy from renewables, with half of its electricity delivered by wind farms. The agreement also covers advances in renewable heat, smart grids, and biogas among other green technologies.
"Denmark will once again be the global leader in...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/mar/26/wind-energy-denmark
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Nowhere did I say this was a bad thing or that it would not make a positive impact on carbon emissions.
What I said was that Sweden and Norway will be pleased. They have some of the cheapest electricity rates in Europe... largely because their neighbor to the south/west has such a high wind penetration. They also profit from providing the energy storage that such a high penetration rate requires and that Denmark cannot provide for itself.
Folks in Denmark want more wind power and are willing to pay for it... and their neighbors are happy to profit from that. Win/win/win. Why "sour grapes"?
For the record... 50% is a fabulous goal. Particularly when you consider that roughly half of their generation comes from facilities that also generate district heat.
Denmark isn't Germany. Germany has 15 times the population and more heavy industry... previously ranking near the top in energy usage per capita.
Your more apt to make unfounded claims about them needing to buy fossil and nuclear generation from their neighbors
Which is exactly what Germany has had to do (so it is by no means "unfounded"
. But Denmark isn't shutting down operating reactors (something you used to claim that you didn't support) and having to replace their generation.
They're fortunate enough to have ready access to plenty of energy storage. If that were an option for more areas this would be a much easier discussion. Unfortunately, it isn't.
