photo by nosha (source: Flickr Creative Commons)
The energy crisis of the 1970s kick started an energy revolution in Denmark. Previously dependent on foreign oil, the Scandinavian country ‘learned the hard way’ about the importance of diversifying its power sources.
Government subsidies for wind power, a carbon tax and energy efficiency investments – as well as the discovery of North Sea oil, it must be said – all lead to Denmark’s successful endeavor for energy independence.
Denmark is home to the largest offshore wind farm in the world and gets the highest proportion of its energy from wind turbines. Wind power in Denmark is sourced not only from large corporations like DONG Energy, but also from small cooperatives and individual or family-owned turbines.
Check out this video on Danish wind energy from CNN’s Earth’s Frontiers:
Additional resources:
The Copenhagen Post – Scientists blast thinktank claims on wind power