Danish installations surge ahead of support closure

DENMARK: Danish Energy Agency (DEA) data shows 537MW in capacity was added to the grid between 1 January 2017 and 21 February 2018, when the aid programme, popularly known as the '25th door', expired.

by Craig Richard 15 March 2018

Denmark's installation rate since January 2017 was more than double what was expected (pic: Hofor)

The government authority had expected 250MW to be installed prior to the scheme’s replacement with an annual technology-neutral supply for 2018 and 2019.

The total budget for the upcoming tenders is DKK 1.015 billion (€136 million), the DEA has announced.

Energy, power and thermal minister Lars Christian Lilleholt said: "The final run tells me that the ‘25th door’ was an attractive support system for the Danish wind developers.

"I look forward to the next technology-neutral procurement in 2018 and 2019, where wind and solar will compete to provide the most possible green energy to the Danes."

Jan Hylleberg, CEO of the Danish Wind Industry Association (DWIA) said competition between wind and solar would help drive down costs.

Last year wind accounted for 43.4% of Denmark’s electricity consumption, according to the DEA.

The country has a renewable energy target of 50% by 2030, which minister Lilleholt added was put closer in reach by the additional installations.