Denmark’s 50% wind commitment and a path to fully renewable power

Denmark has committed to generating 50 percent of its electricity from wind sources by the year 2020, by which time the country hopes to have reduced CO₂ emissions by 34 percent compared to 1990 levels. This renewed commitment to wind forms the central pillar in an energy bill that commits to obtaining 35 percent of the country’s energy from renewable sources by that time. And Denmark actively aims to lower energy consumption, with 2020 usage 12 percent lower than that of 2006.

“Denmark will once again be the global leader in the transition to green energy,” said Martin Lidegaard, Denmark’s Minister for Climate, Energy and Building. “This will prepare us for a future with increasing prices for oil and coal. Moreover, it will create some of the jobs that we need so desperately, now and in the coming years.”

The bill passed with a near-unanimous 171 votes out of the parliament’s 179 seats.