Danish Wind Energy Hits All Time Highs

In December, wind power for the first time reached a level corresponding to more than half of the electricity consumption (54.8 per cent). The Danish politicians have set the objective of 50 per cent wind power in relation to the electricity consumption by 2020.

During the Christmas week (week 52), where the electricity consumption traditionally is a little lower than normal, because factories are closed for the holidays, the wind turbines reached what corresponds to 68.5 per cent of the electricity consumption.

The highest share of wind power in one hour was on 1 December 2013 in the time period between 04.00-05.00. The share was 135.8 per cent. The highest share of wind power in one day was on Saturday 21 December, where the wind turbines generated what corresponds to 102 per cent of the electricity consumption. On the contrary, the share of wind was only 69.1 per cent on 28 October when the hurricane hit Denmark.

The records do not only apply to Denmark. They are also world records. Because no other countries have as large a wind power capacity in proportion to the size of the electricity consumption.

The records are first and foremost attributable to the installation of more wind turbines in 2013. Particularly the large-scale offshore wind farm at Anholt which was completed in 2013 contributed considerably to the wind power capacity. However, 2013 was less windy than a standard year.

Press release, January 16, 2014; Image: flickr