Denmark’s wind generation capacity produced twice as much electricity as all other power plants combined, highlighting the technology’s core role in the country’s energy system.
"Wind energy has seriously become the backbone of the Danish electricity system, and we see this clearly in the summer, although it typically blows less during this period," said Wind Denmark head of electricity markets Søren Klinge.
"This year, Danish wind turbines produced about 25% more electricity in June and July than in the same months last year, which was a bad wind year," said Klinge.
Table and data provided by Wind Denmark and Energinet
Wind Denmark said the 2,083GWh of generation from wind turbines, up from 1,658GWh, could have been much higher had transmission system operator (TSO) Energinet not stopped Danish wind turbines from exporting power to the German grid.
The trade body said this kind of curtailment usually takes place in the winter months, when generation is high on both sides of the border. But it has now occurred in the summer for the first time.
"This year, Danish wind turbines made a significant contribution to safeguarding the balance of the Danish and German electricity grid.
"It is difficult to estimate exactly how big the production from the turbines would have been if they had not been stopped by Energinet, but there is no doubt that it has had a significant effect on the total production," Klinge explained.
The Danish system also benefitted from higher amounts of hydro power imports from Sweden and Norway, which in turn, along with the higher amounts of wind, saw energy prices fall on Denmark’s networks.
.png)
.png)
