The actual energy consumption fell in 2012 by 4.2%. When one takes into account changes in gross domestic product (GDP) the energy efficiency improved by 2.6% compared to the previous year. Denmark currently uses roughly the same amount of energy as in 1990, but, bearing in mind that there has been considerable economic growth since then, Denmark now uses 30.7% less energy per unit of GDP.

"The development has been underway for several decades, and the 2012 statistics indicate that we are on the right track. It is good for the climate and the economy, and it is a development which we can all be very proud of. But we are far from finished. With the energy agreement and the action plan for growth, we further bolster our efforts to improve energy efficiency," says Minister for Climate, Energy and Building Martin Lidegaard.

Continued reduction of CO₂ emissions

Energy Statistics also show that the share of renewable energy in the electricity supply is increasing. In 2012, some 43.1% of our electricity came from renewable energy sources - especially wind turbines. At the same time, CO₂ emissions fell. A provisional estimate of the actual total greenhouse gas emissions shows a decrease of 8.1% in the period 2011 to 2012. Since 1990, emissions have fallen by 25.4%.

"It is gratifying that greenhouse gas emissions show a decline. But if we are to live up to the recommendations that we receive from climate scientists, we must continue to reduce these emissions. We can still do more - not least in agriculture and transport," says Martin Lidegaard.

An economically sustainable society

Denmark is still the only country in the EU to be net self-sufficient in energy. But with the production of crude oil and natural gas in the North Sea dwindling, self-sufficiency in terms of the total energy output fell from 108 % in 2011 to 102 % in 2012.

 "For many years, revenues from oil and gas production laid a solid foundation for the Danish economy. The situation is changing, and this is another argument for the conversion of our energy sector. We must use the resources we have, and these are primarily wind and biomass. The green transition is also about our need to be an economically sustainable society in the future," says Martin Lidegaard.

Link to press release on Danish Energy Statistics 2012

Source: Danish Ministry for Climate, Energy and Building

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