New world record set for wind energy

Denmark — the tiniest of the Scandinavian country sect — has set a new world record for wind energy by generating close to half of all the electricity consumed by the country in 2015. 

The mark was first reported by an official from state-owned energinet.dk.

Putting it rather succinctly was spokeswoman Hanne Storm Edlefsen: “It was much windier in 2015 than during an average year.”

The country’s production capacity for wind energy had grown “a little bit, but that is not what explains the big increase,” she added.

The country’s wind energy conversion peaked at 42.1% for 2015. That’s up from 39.1% of electricity consumption in 2014, which was top marks in the world, and followed by runner-up Portugal, which recorded 24%, and third place finisher Spain, which churned out 20.4%, as per data provided by International Energy Agency. 

Denmark's wind energy conversion rates over the last decade.

Worth noting: Denmark has a national goal of 50% of its electricity produced from wind power by 2020, a mark that based on 2015’s numbers, appears to be within easy reach. 

“If, for some hours, we have surplus wind energy, the producers sell it to consumers in Norway, Sweden and Germany,” spokesman Carsten Vittrup said in a statement, explaining how the country works with its neighbors to ensure all benefit from Denmark’s successes.

“Conversely, we buy hydroelectric power from Norway, solar energy from Germany and power station electricity from Sweden, when it is advantageous,” he added.

Via energinet.dk