February 4, 2016

2015 Was a Record-Setting Year for Wind, Part 2: % Generation

Denmark set a new record for wind power generation in 2015

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!

This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American

Demark set a new record for electricity generation for wind in 2015, generating the equivalent of 42% of the country’s annual electricity demand using wind power. The previous record for annual wind generation as a percentage of total demand was 39% in 2014 (also set by Denmark).

According to analysts, this record was made possible by a quite windy year compared to 2014. It was also set in spite of two major offshore wind farms – Anholt and Horns Rev 2 - being offline for extended periods of time (1 and 2 months, respectively) due to cable faults. Without these faults, analysts estimate that Denmark would have generated 43.5% of its electricity using wind power.

Wind power generation as a percentage of total electricity demand in
Denmark (2005 – 2015) from energinet.dk

On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

Over the past decade, wind power generation as a percentage of total demand in Denmark has more than doubled. Furthermore, thanks grid interconnections with neighbouring countries, Denmark has been able to export significant amounts of power. For example, according to official statistics, on the 26th of July, Denmark’s wind turbines produced 138.7% of the countries total electricity consumption between 6-7 AM, with the excess power being exported to its neighbors.

*Offshore wind in Hellerup, Hovedstaden, Denmark by* *CGP Grey* (*CC 2.0*)

Subscribe to Support Independent Journalism

Great science journalism requires human expertise, time, effort and creativity. And it costs money. That’s why I and the journalists here at Scientific American hope you’ll join our community.

When you subscribe, you are supporting staff and freelance journalists who are passionate about telling science stories that are true, important and compelling. Our editors and reporters are often experts in their fields, which means they understand the nuances of big discoveries and can untangle the breakthroughs from the hype. With a subscription, you are also supporting rigorous fact-checking to ensure the words we publish are precise and accurate. And you’re supporting original illustrations, graphics and photos that bring you closer to an advanced laboratory, an ice sheet in Antarctica or a space mission in orbit. You’re helping us craft other types of high-quality journalism as well: Our newsletters are carefully written, edited and curated by staffers you have or will come to know and love. Our Science Quickly podcast is based on original reporting, collaboration with editors and scientists and exacting production.

Subscriptions keep this engine running so we can continue to deliver thoughtful, rigorous and independent science journalism to you. In an era of viral misinformation, this work is crucial. If you value what we do, I hope you’ll consider joining us as a subscriber

Thank you,

Jeanna Bryner, Editor in Chief, Scientific American