Environmental Engineering Reference
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On the heels of an eight-year period during which installed wind power
capacity in Denmark grew by an annual average of only 114 MW (an annual
growth rate of slightly more than 3%), the government announced a green
energy acceleration program which established a target of 100% renewable
energy in the energy and transport sectors by 2050 and an interim target
of achieving 50% contribution to electricity consumption by wind power by
2020. 140 Over the next eight years, policies will be needed to double existing
capacity—an expansion rate of almost 8% per year.
Eforts will apparently focus on exploiting ofshore wind potential. Although
500 MW of the targeted 3000 MW in additional capacity is slated to come
from onshore wind facilities, the vast majority of new wind power capacity will
come from large ofshore wind farms such as the ones planned at Kriegers Flak
(600MW) and Horns Rev (400MW). 141 his represents an intrepid initiative
given the emergence of concerns over the cost implications of adding more
wind power and the emergence of pockets of public opposition. Accordingly, it
is worth drawing on our understanding of the STEP environment in Denmark
to speculate on why such a bold policy has come about.
here is clearly a national security theme underlying Danish support for
renewable energies. According to one study, based on proven reserves and
existing technology, self-suiciency in natural gas and petroleum will only
exist for another decade. 142 here is also international political pressure for
Denmark to reduce its per capita GHG emissions, which at about 9.6 tons
per year rank among the highest in the world and double the EU average. 143
here is also an emerging economic justiication for supporting ambitious
wind power development targets. Given the capricious nature of fossil fuel
prices over the past ive years and the declining cost proile for wind power,
it has become obvious to Denmark's government that any substantial car-
bon pricing regime will tip the balance, making wind power an economically
superior alternative to coal-ired power. Technically, research indicates that
exploiting existing wind power potential could satisfy 100% of Denmark's
electricity needs by 2050. 144 Consequently, it seems clear that the Danish
government is conident that carbon pricing will be a permanent feature of
EU energy policy and in making an early and substantial commitment to
wind power, Denmark will position itself to amass carbon credits and give
Denmark's wind power irms a domestic inancial boost prior to an antici-
pated market boom.
Given the lofty targets for ofshore wind power capacity, there is always
the possibility that further development will increase community opposi-
tion to wind projects in general. However, in a 2007 study by a researcher
at the University of Copenhagen, it was found that although there is a
social preference to ofshore wind farms, respondents “living close to either
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