In 2024, Denmark's electricity consumption demonstrates a strong commitment to low-carbon energy, with an impressive 80% of its electricity sourced from such options. Leading this charge is wind energy, which accounts for more than half of the total electricity consumption. Another significant contributor is biofuels, making up nearly 17%. Fossil fuels, on the other hand, are thankfully reduced to close to 11%, with coal and gas together constituting less than 11% of Denmark’s electricity, highlighting a conscious shift away from these polluting sources. Solar energy adds a little over 10%, aligning with global efforts toward increasing clean energy adoption. A small portion of electricity is supplemented through net imports, just under 10%, indicating a balanced approach to domestic and imported energy sources.
Is Electricity Growing in Denmark?
Examining the broader context, Denmark has surprisingly witnessed a drop in total electricity consumption over the decades. In 2024, electricity usage stands at 6572 kWh/person, a notable decrease of 3609 kWh/person from the 1996 peak of 10181 kWh/person. However, despite this decline in total consumption, the silver lining emerges in Denmark's steadfast commitment to low-carbon electricity generation, which has reached 5226 kWh/person as of 2024. This marks a 295 kWh/person increase over the previous year's figure, signaling a positive trend towards cleaner electricity despite the overall reduction in consumption. The progress in low-carbon energy generation is a testament to Denmark's ambitious energy goals, though the decline in total consumption warrants further scrutiny.
Suggestions
To further enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Denmark could benefit from ramping up its wind and solar capacities, as these have already proven successful in the region. Denmark should also consider exploring nuclear energy, as seen in countries like France and Slovakia, where it constitutes a majority of the electricity portfolio. Iowa's reliance on wind energy showcases the potential of scaling up this clean energy source. Moreover, Denmark might learn from regions like Nevada and Lebanon, which have achieved significant contributions from solar power. By diversifying its energy mix and continuing to decrease reliance on fossil fuels, Denmark can solidify its leadership in sustainable electricity generation.
History
Denmark’s history of low-carbon electricity generation paints a picture of gradual progress, punctuated by notable expansions in specific periods. From 1998 to 2000, and again from 2004 through 2007, Denmark saw a steady increase in wind energy generation. The growth furthered in the early 2010s, with a remarkable spike in both wind and biofuels in 2010 and 2011. The past decade has been particularly dynamic: though there was a dip in 2016, the subsequent years, especially 2019 and 2022, witnessed robust advancements in wind electricity. Biofuels saw the largest annual increase in 2021, and solar began its ascendance around this same period, contributing positively since 2022. This historical trajectory underscores Denmark's tenacity in expanding its clean energy capacities against occasional setbacks, emphasizing the importance of continued support and investment in low-carbon technologies to sustain this momentum.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.