Wind Power Supplied Almost Half of Denmark’s Energy in 2017

Go, Denmark! In 2015, the Scandinavian country proved it’s possible for an entire nation to “go green” when it sourced 42 percent of its power from wind. Last year, it beat that record by relying on wind power for 43.6 percent of its electricity needs. Before long, it’s expected Denmark will be able to supply almost half of its energy from the renewable source — and that is exciting.

Renewables Now reports that Denmark has effectively doubled its wind energy production since 2001. Such is a result of investing in larger turbines which have increased efficiencies. In fact, the number of turbines has declined by 20 percent, while output has continued to rise.

Denmark’s next goal is to reach 50 percent wind energy by 2020. Around the same time, the country should be able to generate 80 percent of its electricity from renewable sources, such as biomass and solar power. As a result of this development, Denmark has proven itself a leader in both citizen happiness and sustainability.

Credit: Wonderful Engineering

Prime minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen applauded the “milestone” in a New Year’s speech, cited by Danish Energy. Rasmussen said that Vestas, one of the world’s largest wind turbine companies (which is based in Denmark) is already selling their green technology around the world. As such, it is only a matter of time before other countries invest in clean energy and make milestones of their own. As Inhabitat reports, Vesta recently announced a 96-megawatt order for a wind farm in India.

Said Lars Aagaard, the CEO of Dansk Energi:

“[…] we have opened a new chapter in the green change. It is equally important to look at how we best use the amazing resource, that we have a cheap, green and stable power supply. Electricity must replace gasoline, oil and gas.”

The future is green. In fact, it has to be. Humanity’s dependence on fossil fuels, coupled with unsustainable habits and a total disregard for the environment, has propelled the phenomenon known as “climate change.” Repercussions include food shortages, melting glaciers, rising sea levels, and exacerbated natural disasters.

To prevent hundreds of species from going extinct and to give future generations a chance at inheriting a better Earth, people today must adopt sustainable habits and reduce their carbon footprints. Simple ways to do so include: 

• The three R’s: reduce, reuse, and recycle
• Take reusable grocery bags to the store
• Rather than drive, walk and cycle whenever possible
• Reduce food waste and compost leftovers
• Educate friends and family members on the necessity to live simply and sustainability.

Credit: GrowthWheel

If every man, woman, and child made an effort to create a better Earth, such would result.

Thanks to many nations’ foresight and planning, it won’t be long before many of the world’s countries run on clean energy. By the time this occurs, electric automobiles will abound, living in harmony with the planet will be more than a trend, and pollution will (hopefully) be a thing of the past. Let’s hope Denmark’s latest achievement inspires more action, so future generations have a chance.

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h/t Inhabitat, Danish Energy Featured image: IM_photo/Shutterstock.