Renewable energy has become a fundamental element in global energy security, environmental sustainability and combating climate change. Due to the negative impacts of fossil fuel resources on the environment, the economic risks created by dependency on energy imports and the effects of carbon emissions on the climate, countries are turning to alternative energy sources. This transformation necessitates the structural reshaping of the energy sector. In this context, some countries have demonstrated successful examples in this transformation process, not only in line with national goals but also to the extent of guiding global energy policies. Denmark, as one of these countries, is one of the pioneering countries that draws attention with its determination, technological breakthroughs and social participation in completely transforming the energy system to renewable energy.
Denmark’s energy transformation adventure is based on a long-term vision whose foundations were laid in the 1970s. The oil crisis in 1973 was a turning point for Denmark; The fragility created by external dependency of energy supply has led the country to develop new energy strategies. Public policies initiated in this process have prioritized energy efficiency, resource diversity and the use of domestic energy resources. As a result of this orientation, wind energy investments have been accelerated since the 1980s and both technological and infrastructural developments have been supported. The rise of wind energy in Denmark has taken shape not only as a form of energy production, but also as a reflection of national identity and the desire for external independence.
Today, Denmark meets a significant portion of its total electricity production from wind energy. According to data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), more than 55% of the country’s electricity consumption will come from wind energy by 2023. This rate puts Denmark at the top of the world in terms of per capita wind energy production. This success has been achieved largely through the cooperation of both the public and private sectors. Technological advances, especially in the development of offshore wind farms and their integration into the electricity grid, have made Denmark’s energy infrastructure more flexible and sustainable. Projects such as Horns Rev and Kriegers Flak are among the largest renewable energy investments not only in Denmark but also in Europe.
One of the most important elements in Denmark’s success is the presence of companies such as Vestas, a world leader in wind turbine production. These companies have a significant share not only in the domestic market but also in turbine installations worldwide. Vestas has provided approximately 16% of the wind turbines installed worldwide as of 2023, making Denmark a leader in green technology exports. This shows that the Danish economy is not limited to energy production but has also become a global player in renewable energy technologies.
Another striking feature of the country’s transition to renewable energy is the high level of social participation. Individuals are encouraged to participate in energy production processes through energy cooperatives, thus ensuring ownership of energy investments at the grassroots level. This has contributed to increasing social support for renewable energy, developing trust in projects and ensuring transparency in decision-making processes. At the same time, the public’s direct participation in energy production has also ensured that the economic benefit is spread to the base. This participatory model is considered an effective solution to the problems that many countries face in generating social consent.
Denmark’s energy policies are not limited to short-term goals. The country plans to switch to an energy system completely free of fossil fuels by 2050. The strategic documents developed in line with this goal envisage a structure based on energy efficiency, clean energy investments, electrification in transportation and smart grid technologies. Within this framework, it is aimed to reduce carbon emissions by 70% compared to 1990 levels by 2030. These goals are not only symbolic, but are supported by concrete laws and regulations. This transformation process, which is also in line with the European Union’s Green Deal goals, has also consolidated Denmark’s leading position within the EU.
However, Denmark’s energy transformation process is not only full of successes. Some structural and technical problems have also been encountered during this process. In particular, the irregular nature of production based on renewable resources makes it difficult to maintain the balance of energy supply and demand. For this reason, Denmark is making significant investments in energy storage systems and smart grid technologies.
Storing excess supply in electricity production and transferring it to the grid when needed is of great importance in terms of ensuring energy security. In addition, energy exchange with neighboring countries through regional energy integration projects is among the preferred strategies in order to reduce the impact of seasonal fluctuations.
In this context, Denmark also attaches great importance to hydrogen technologies. Converting excess electricity production into green hydrogen plays a critical role in both energy storage and decarbonization of the industrial sector. Denmark aims to integrate hydrogen production from renewable energy and make this technology exportable with the “Energy Island” project planned to be established on the North Sea coast. These projects reinforce the country’s claim to be a leader not only in energy production but also in energy innovation.
The success story of Denmark is actually the product of a holistic approach. When elements such as technological developments, political determination, economic planning and social participation come together, it is seen that sustainable energy transformation is possible. In this respect, Denmark offers a multi-actor, long-term and systematic model for energy transformation. Especially for developing countries, the different dimensions of this model can be an important reference in terms of developing solutions that can be adapted to local conditions.
As a result, Denmark has not only achieved its environmental goals with the transformation it has carried out in the energy sector, but has also integrated its economic growth with green development. The knowledge, technological capacity and social support it has created in the field of renewable energy have reinforced the country’s leadership in the field of sustainability. The experiences gained in this process offer important lessons not only for Denmark but also for global energy policies.
Denmark’s approach is an exemplary model for countries that want to establish a balance between energy security, carbon neutrality and economic competitiveness. In today’s world where energy transformation has become a necessity, not a luxury, the roadmap Denmark has followed shows that it is possible to achieve success both technically and socially.
Sources
- IEA (International Energy Agency). (2024). Renewables 2023 – Analysis and forecast to 2028. Paris: IEA Publications.
- Danish Energy Agency. (2023). Denmark’s Energy and Climate Outlook 2023. https://ens.dk
- (2023). Renewables Global Status Report. Paris: REN21 Secretariat.
- Vestas Wind Systems A/S. (2024). Annual Report 2023. https://www.vestas.com
- Lund, H. (2014). Renewable Energy Systems: A Smart Energy Systems Approach to the Choice and Modeling of 100% Renewable Solutions. Academic Press.
- Sovacool, B. K. (2013). Energy & Ethics: Justice and the Global Energy Challenge. Palgrave Macmillan.
- European Commission. (2023). EU Energy Policy and the Green Deal. https://energy.ec.europa.eu
She graduated from Çankaya University Faculty of Law in 2005. In the same year, she completed her master’s degree in Constitutional Law at Çankaya University, Department of Public Law. Until 2011, she worked as an ODY-ÜDY Instructor at Vocational Training Centers affiliated with the Ministry of Transport. For approximately 15 years, she has been working as a legal expert at the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB). Initially, she was involved in Foreign Trade and International Logistics at TOBB and represented the United Nations for nearly seven years. She is currently serving as a legal expert in the SME Policies Directorate within the TOBB Department of Real Sector R&D and Implementation.
Meanwhile, she is working on completing her doctoral dissertation in Administrative Law at Gazi University, Department of Public Law-Administrative Law. After completing her thesis on TOBB, which is recognized by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) in Turkey, she plans to publish it as a book.
Additionally, since 2023, she has been writing columns in the London section of “DÜNDAR HUKUK” and “DÜNDAR LEGAL SERVICE CONSULTANCY,” which have established themselves internationally, particularly in the field of energy and renewable energy.