Government support has removed Denmark's dependence on fossil fuels – in just 20 years.
Across
the Danish countryside and coastal waters large wind turbines are
whirling away in the North Sea breeze, feeding clean energy to
households across the Scandinavian nation. Denmark has become one of
the global heavyweights in the world's fastest growing renewable energy
market -
wind.
The
Danish wind energy industry has been a phenomenal success story since
its implementation just 20 years ago. The national enterprise has an
annual turnover of $2.6 billion (with a growth rate matching that of
the Internet and mobile phones.) The spin-offs include employment for
20,000 Danes locally and a further 8000 jobs in component installation
and supply around the world. And, of course, there's the environmental
benefits.
The power generated from over 5000 of Denmark's wind
turbines is enough to provide more than a million homes with energy.
It's the highest per capita wind energy provision of any country. The
Danish government energy plan envisages a 200 per cent increase by 2040 in its
wind energy production through the development of five offshore wind
turbine parks. Its massive wind energy infrastructure ensures Denmark
will meet much of its energy needs as fossil fuel production levels
subside in the coming decades.
Denmark's government policy
ensures that nuclear power is not a feasible energy option and that
coal is phased out of use as a fuel for power stations. Wind provides
the nation with a renewable power source leading to a dramatic drop in
greenhouse gas emissions.
Many local villages have regained a
sense of community by creating wind energy cooperatives. These
organisations allow community members to work together with a common
goal, to ensure their energy needs do not burden the environment.
Together, they are implementing solutions for a cleaner world. Over
150,000 Danish families now either own outright or have shares in wind
energy schemes. They are the future of the wind industry.
The
success of Denmark's comprehensive wind energy program owes much to the
government, ever willing to invest in and propagate the wind industry.
And the success of their sustainable energy approach speaks for itself.