Global Cooperation

Danish experience on green transition accelerates the global green transition

In Denmark, we are experiencing a transformation of our energy system from black to green. We started more than 50 years ago – due to the 1973 OPEC oil crisis. From depending entirely on imported fossil fuels, we now have a world record security of electricity supply of 99.99 pct. with more than 80 per cent of our electricity supply coming from renewable energy. We have achieved this while maintaining national economic growth.

The Danish Government has set a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70 pct. by 2030. This target forces our country to collaborate across all emission sectors and with multiple stakeholders, including the private sector, think tanks, NGO’s, research institutions, as well as investment and pension funds. We also seek inspiration within EU member states and in our country partnerships.

25 country partnerships represent 70 pct. of global emissions

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At The Danish Energy Agency’s department, Global Cooperation, we share our experience from the Danish energy transition with the world. By partnering with some of the world's biggest countries and fastest growing economies, we put our expertise to use where it holds the greatest impact. We focus our efforts on Danish core competencies within energy transition.

In Denmark, we have had a tradition for stabile political framework, and therefore we are able to assist our partners in developing and deploying a framework for a cost-efficient energy transition. We do this together with The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including the relevant embassies, the Danish transmission system operator, Energinet, as well as other relevant stakeholders. At the Danish embassies and local partner authorities, energy advisors are posted and supported by colleagues from the Danish Energy Agency.

Our 25 partner countries are Brazil, China, Colombia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Estonia, France, Germany, India, Indonesia,  Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Morocco, South Africa, Türkiye,  Ukraine, The USA, South Korea, Viet Nam, The Netherlands, The United Kingdom, Kenya, Poland. 

Together, our partner countries represent more than 70 pct. of global CO2-emissions.

Collaboration is key to a sustainable development

Peer-to-peer knowledge sharing is key in all our country cooperations. In many of our partnerships, we strive to identify the most cost-effective path to reach - or even go beyond - the partner country’s nationally determined greenhouse gas emission targets set out in the Paris Agreement. The solutions are manifold and based on the following Danish core competencies:

• Long-term energy modelling and scenarios
• Integration of renewable energy in the energy system
• Wind power – offshore and onshore
• Energy efficiency – industry and buildings
• District heating

A prerequisite for a green transition is the regulatory and policy framework. Therefore, we also share our best practice in designing and implementing effective and efficient regulation. A long-term framework supporting the green transition creates a sound business environment, fosters innovation, makes economic sense, lowers consumer prices, reduces carbon emissions, and expands the global market for clean energy technology.

The cooperation with our partner countries takes place on a national, regional and/or local level as well as with non-state actors. It comes with no commercial strings attached.

The partnerships are anchored at the Danish Energy Agency and implemented in close collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.

Learn more about each of our energy partnerships here: Our energy partnerships