Large drop in energy consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions in 2012
Press Release
Energy consumption fell again in 2012 and is now at almost the same level as in 1990. This is apparent from the 2012 Energy Statistics, which also show a strong increase in the use of renewable energy and a sharp drop in Danish emissions of greenhouse gases.
Observed energy consumption in Denmark dropped by 4.2% to 760 PJ in 2012 and was almost down to the 1990 level. The drop is due to a reduction in energy consumption in several sectors and lower energy losses in electricity production as renewable energy displaces coal and natural gas. Furthermore, 2012 saw large net Danish imports of electricity. These are conclusions from Energy Statistics 2012, published by the Danish Energy Agency today.
The Danish Energy Agency also calculates adjusted energy consumption, in which it adjusts for fluctuations in climate and foreign trade in electricity. Adjusted energy consumption, which describes the underlying trends, dropped by 3.0% in 2012 to 785 PJ, so that it is now at its lowest level since 1984.
Falling energy intensity
As gross domestic product (GDP) fell by 0.5% in 2012, the falling energy consumption meant that energy efficiency improved by 2.6% in 2012. Energy efficiency improvements over the past two decades mean that each unit of GDP required 30.7% less energy in 2012 than in 1990.
Increase in the consumption of renewable energy
Consumption of renewable energy increased in 2012 by 5.4% to 184 PJ, with increases in consumption of wind-power, wood pellets, wood waste and wood chips. According to the EU method of calculation, renewables accounted for 25.8% of energy consumption in 2012, against 23.1% in 2011.
At the same time electricity production based on renewable energy accounted for 43.1% of domestic electricity supply in 2012, of which wind power contributed 29.8%.
Decrease in emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases
Observed CO2 emissions from energy consumption fell by 10.3% to 39.9 mill. tonnes in 2012. Adjusted for fuel consumption linked to foreign trade in electricity and fluctuations in climate, CO2 emissions fell by 4.4%. Since 1990, adjusted CO2 emissions have been reduced by 28.4%.
A preliminary statement of Denmark’s total observed emissions of greenhouse gases shows a drop of 8.1% from 2011 to 2012, and an overall drop of 25.4% from the base year (1990/95).
Energy production and degree of self-sufficiency fell
Danish production of crude oil, natural gas and renewable energy etc. fell by 7.9% in 2012 to 801 PJ. Denmark is the only country in the EU that was self-sufficient in energy in 2011. The degree of self-sufficiency for energy for Denmark was 102% in 2012 compared with 108% in the previous year. This means that energy production was 2% higher than energy consumption in 2012.
Annual Statistics - for the present in Danish
Jane Rusbjerg
Specialkonsulent
Center for Klima og Energiøkonomi
Tlf.: 33 92 68 36
jru@ens.dk
Ture Falbe-Hansen
Pressechef
Center for Organisation
Tlf.: 25 13 78 46
tfh@ens.dk