Electricity in Denmark - statistics & facts

Stretching for nearly 43,000 square kilometers across the Jutland Peninsula and several hundred islands, Denmark has made a name for itself as a leader in the energy transition. In fact, the country had the largest share of electricity generation from wind and solar sources worldwide in 2021, at more than 50 percent. With the majority of electricity generation now coming from renewable energy sources, the Scandinavian country is making good progress on its goals of phasing out coal power by 2030, and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

A global leader in wind energy

Denmark’s utilization of wind power dates back to the 1970s energy crisis, when the country sought to diversify its energy supply. In 1979, the first wind turbine was erected in the country. About a decade later, the world’s first offshore wind farm started operation off the coast of Vindeby. The capacity of active wind power turbines in Denmark has increased almost every year since 2010, reaching roughly seven gigawatts in 2021. That year, nearly 50 percent of electricity generation in the country came from wind power. Its history of harnessing the power of wind has also been beneficial to Danish businesses. Orsted and Vestas, two Denmark-based wind developers, are among the leading renewable energy companies worldwide, based on revenue.

Electricity prices in Denmark

Denmark sees some of the highest household electricity prices in the European Union. This is largely due to the country’s hefty household electricity taxes. For example, energy taxes and VAT accounted for more than half of the household electricity price in Copenhagen as of October 2021. However, electricity prices can depend on a wide array of additional factors on the supply side, including fossil fuel prices, the national power mix, and weather conditions, among others. Throughout 2021 and 2022, monthly electricity prices soared in Denmark, part of an energy supply shortage that affected most of Europe. In addition to a global spike in natural gas prices, the Scandinavian country also suffered due to lower-than-average wind speeds. The decreased output from wind turbines highlighted how the reliance on intermittent energy sources for power generation can have side effects, notably the need for significant electricity imports which can incur in price fluctuations.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by Statista Research Department, Feb 8, 2023

Key insights

Renewable energy capacity in Denmark
11.7 GW
Share of wind in electricity generation
55%
Wholesale electricity price in Denmark
86.19 EUR/MWh
Get more insights

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Distribution of electricity generation in Denmark in 2022, by energy source

Electricity

Breakdown of electricity generation in Denmark in 2022, by source

Electricity imports in Denmark from 2008 to 2022 (in gigawatt-hours)

Electricity

Electricity import volume in Denmark 2008-2022

Prices of electricity for non-household consumers in Denmark from 2008 to 2022 (in euro cents per kilowatt-hour)

Electricity

Non-household electricity prices in Denmark 2008-2022

Related topics

Recommended

3

Recommended statistics

Overview

5

Overview

Consumption

7

Consumption

Renewable sources

4

Renewable sources

Electricity prices

5

Electricity prices

Company data

5

Company data

Further reportsGet the best reports to understand your industry

Contact

Get in touch with us. We are happy to help.
Statista Locations
Contact Meredith Alda
Meredith Alda
Sales Manager– Contact (United States)
Email
support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm (EST)

Contact Yolanda Mega
Yolanda Mega
Operations Manager– Contact (Asia)
Email
asia.support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm (SGT)

Contact Kisara Mizuno
Kisara Mizuno
Senior Business Development Manager– Contact (Asia)
Email
support.japan@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 10:00am - 6:00pm (JST)

Contact Lodovica Biagi
Lodovica Biagi
Director of Operations– Contact (Europe)
Email
eu.support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9:30am - 5pm (GMT)

Contact Carolina Dulin
Carolina Dulin
Group Director - LATAM– Contact (Latin America)
Email
latam@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm (EST)

Menu