43% of Denmark’s Power from Renewables: Aiming for 70% by 2020

Juan Cole 05/03/2014

(By Juan Cole)

Denmark is now getting 43% of its power from renewable energy (mainly wind and biomass). It is thus on track to meet its ambitious goal of 70% renewables by 2020.

DeutscheWelle explains how Denmark is getting community buy-in for the onshore turbines. Residents get lower electricity prices when there are turbines in their neighborhood. Moreover, where turbines affect property prices, the owner is reimbursed.

Every country in the world should have Denmark’s goal of 70% renewables by 2020.

A Danish political leader explains:

IIEA: “Minister Martin Lidegaard on Leaving Fossil Fuels Behind: How Denmark Turned the Tide”

About the Author

Juan Cole is the founder and chief editor of Informed Comment. He is Richard P. Mitchell Professor of History at the University of Michigan He is author of, among many other books, Muhammad: Prophet of Peace amid the Clash of Empires and The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. Follow him on Twitter at @jricole or the Informed Comment Facebook Page