Denmark is one of the cleanest countries and when it comes to renewable energy, the country has become one of the pioneers in clean energy. Clean energy has become a Danish passion and almost 50 percent of all energy used in this country comes from renewable sources. It is also one of the world-leading countries when it comes to wind energy production. Top renewable energy companies in Denmark have played a huge role in generating such an amount of wind energy.
Image from Our World in Data
The country looked towards renewable energy solutions during the 1973 oil crisis. During this period, the country suffered heavily. Firstly, the wind turbine industry emerged as a spin-off. Also, the first wind turbine was erected in 1979. This one-shore wind energy success further inspired the implementation of offshore wind energy in 2002. Currently, the country produces renewable energy from all sources possible, such as Wind, Geothermal, Solar, and Biomass.
In 2012, the government of Denmark announced an Energy Agreement to eliminate the production of power from coal by 2030, going fossil-fuel-free electricity and heating system by 2035. It also aimed to provide 100% of Denmark’s energy to come from renewable sources by 2050. In 2018, the government of Denmark signed an agreement with all parties in the parliament with a goal of providing 50% of renewable energy in 2030 to cover electricity consumption.
Likewise, the country aims to eliminate coal from power production by 2030. Nevertheless, to have completely fossil-fuel-free electricity as well as heating production by 2035 is also one of their set targets. As per reports of 2020 from Our World in Data, Denmark currently produces more than 70 percent of its total consumed electricity from renewable sources.
Source: Denmark.dk
What are the Major Sources of Renewable Energy in Denmark?
The major sources of Renewable Energy in Denmark include Bioenergy, Wind, Solar. Almost (⅔)rd of Denmark’s renewable energy comes from bioenergy that is stored in the form of organic material or biomass. Many Danish power plants are shifting from fossil fuel to biomass. Though biomass is a renewable energy source, the climate impact from it is much more. Furthermore, it has become a strong focus to curb the impact and produce a sustainable approach to biomass in Denmark.
Image from IEA
The world frontiers in wind energy include Danish companies Vestas and Siemens Gamesa. These two companies had a share of almost (⅓)rd of global turbine installations in 2018.
Germany is the world’s third-leading country when it comes to installed wind power capacity. Similarly, Germany also has one of the world’s largest photovoltaic installed capacities.
Solar Energy is also another form of renewable energy source in Denmark. Almost 44% of electricity in Denmark is supplied from Wind and Solar Power. The installed capacity of Solar PV is said to rise by 2024 with the production of 1,140 MW. There are solar-thermal districts that exist in Denmark and The Danish Energy Agency plans to host 400 MW PV projects in the Nissum Fjord location.
Other sources of renewable energy in Denmark include Hydroelectricity, Geothermal, and Biodegradable Waste.
Now, that we have an insight into the renewable energy sources in Denmark, let us dive into the Renewable Energy companies in Denmark which are generating clean and Green Energy from these sources.
Source: IEA.org
Also Read: Top Energy Efficiency Examples. How People Are Using Renewable Energy For Their Energy Needs
List of Top 15 Renewable Energy Companies in Denmark
We have handpicked the Top 15 Renewable Energy Companies in Denmark. All of these companies have contributed largely towards the scenario of renewable energy in Denmark. All of the following companies are listed down below with their respective brief overview.
1. Vestas
On top of our list of Top renewable energy companies in Denmark comes the company ‘Vestas’.Vestas is a Danish manufacturer of wind turbines and in 2013, it was listed as one of the largest wind turbine companies in the world. It has installed more than 66,000 wind turbines with a total capacity of 122 GW in more than 82 countries. Vestas is the leading supplier to the Danish wind turbine market, and they ensure a profitable return on wind turbine investments
The company has a long-term vision of becoming a global leader in sustainable energy solutions, with wind power plant solutions and wind service solutions. It aims to lead customer value creation, product portfolio and innovation, supply chain cost, efficiency, quality, service revenue, and profit growth with sustainable, capital, efficient and digital market.
Currently, the company has installed wind energy worth a capacity of 650 GW worldwide. This means the company holds more than 17 percent of the global installed base. Nevertheless, Vestas has left its strong mark on six continents after installing more than 77,000 wind turbines in 83 different countries.
- Founded: 1945
- Headquarters: Aarhus N, Aarhus, Denmark
- Number of employees: Around 29, 000 employees
- Sector: Wind
- Specialities: wind energy, renewable energy, construction, wind turbines, wind farm, project development, operational management
- Website: https://www.vestas.com/
2. Orsted
Orsted is a Denmark-based Renewable Energy company that takes achievable action to create a world that runs entirely on Green Energy. Its vision is to create a world of Green Energy. The company develops, constructs, and operates offshore and onshore wind farms and also solar farms, energy storage facilities, bioenergy plants. It has ranked number one in the Corporate Knights 2020 index of the Global 100 sustainable corporations in the world. It has a goal of net-zero emission by 2025 and no carbon by 2040.
The company’s name Orsted is inspired by a physicist named Hans Christian Orsted who discovered electromagnetism as well as laid the foundation for the modern generation of electricity. Furthermore, through their sponsorship policy, they promote awareness as well as education regarding sustainability or represent value to local communities.
Orsted counts in three entities: Offshore, Onshore as well as Markets and Bioenergy. Likewise, the company claims to be the world leader in offshore wind. The company supplies Green Energy to more than 15 million people which they aim to increase to 30 million by 2025. When it comes to onshore wind power, Orsted currently operates wind farms with a total capacity of 1.3 GW in the US.
- Founded: 2006
- Headquarters: Fredericia, Denmark
- Number of employees: Around 6120 employees
- Sector: Electricity, Wind Energy, Bioenergy
- Significant feats: World’s largest developer of offshore wind power
- Website: https://orsted.com/en
3. Steeper Energy
On the third position of our list of top renewable energy companies in Denmark comes ‘Steeper Energy’. It has two groups Steeper Energy Aps that was founded in 2011 and Steeper Energy Canada Limited that was founded in 2012.
Steer Energy APS is based in Copenhagen and is focused on developing and commercializing the conversion of bio-organic feedstocks into renewable fuel that is equivalent to petroleum products. It produces drop-in renewable fuels with high energy density enabling the heavy transport sector to seamlessly transition to low carbon fuels.
Furthermore, the company is a world leader in the development of advanced biofuels converted from low-value biomass. This low-value biomass is residue as well as waste from agriculture and forest industries. The company has an experienced team of world-class talents as well as has strong industrial partnerships thereby making them a front-running leader in the realization of a low-carbon transport future.
The company offers a solution to a stated goal by society aimed at reducing carbon emissions. Steeper Energy’s proprietary Hydro Faction process transforms biomass into renewable transport fuels in a cost-effective manner thereby making it perfect for use in existing infrastructure. Furthermore, the company claims to be a cost-effective platform to convert biomass into renewable transportation fuel.
- Founded: May 2011
- Headquarters: Copenhagen, Denmark
- Number of employees: around 23 employees
- Sector: Biofuel
- Specialities: hydrothermal liquefaction, biomass feedstocks
- Website: https://steeperenergy.com/
4. Danish Renewables
Danish Renewables develop sustainable energy projects and they focus on solar and wind energy. They develop photo-voltaic sites around the world, and they believe that solar energy has a prominent role in meeting the energy demand for electricity. The company is also the developer of onshore wind projects and works in the identification, design, development, and construction of onshore wind energy projects.
The company has completed various projects successfully in various locations. The company has successfully installed 50 MW PhotoVoltaic in Nees, Denmark. Delved commercial-scale solar project for a private client in Maldives, Asia. Also, developed a commercial-scale solar project for a private client residing in the Maldives.
The company claims to be an ambitious developer of Renewable Energy Projects. Furthermore, the company was founded in Copenhagen in 2014. Likewise, it also claims to be committed to the transformation of the world’s energy mix from fossil fuels to renewable energy. That’s exactly the reason why the company chose clean energy such as Solar energy and wind energy.
- Founded: 2014
- Headquarters: Copenhagen, Denmark
- Number of employees: Around 50 employees
- Sector: Solar and Wind Energy
- Website: https://www.danishrenewables.com/
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5. Danish Energy Agency
Danish Energy Agency was established in 1976 and is part of the Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Utilities. The company has successfully featured in our top renewable energy companies in Denmark list. It is responsible for the tasks that are associated with energy production. Also, it’s supply, consumption, and Danish efforts for the reduction in carbon emissions.
The major responsibility of the agency is to have accountable decisions when it comes to energy. The bioenergy, broadband, climate negotiations, EU emission trading system, electricity, energy and climate politics, energy requirements and energy savings, and all other forms of alternative and renewable energy are the domains that the agency looks after.
Likewise, the Danish Energy Agency monitors as well as develops energy and supply sectors all over Denmark. Furthermore, the agency is responsible for user conditions, supply obligations as well as telecommunication statistics, and water supply. Not to forget to mention waste management, Solar Energy, Wind Power, Hydro Power, Natural Gas, Geothermal Energy, and every other kind of energy.
Last but not least, Global Cooperation is the company’s initiative to support emerging and developing economies to combine sustainable future energy supplies and growth in the company.
- Founded: 1976
- Headquarters: Copenhagen, Denmark
- Number of employees: around 91 thousand
- Sector: Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Utilities
- Website:https://ens.dk/en
6. Green Hydrogen Systems
Green Hydrogen Systems (GHS) was established in the year in 2007. The company provides efficient, standardized as well as modular electrolyzers to produce green hydrogen. Green Hydrogen Systems technology is already in use in Europe.
Furthermore, the company is backed by growing revenue as well as recent investments from other APs. Moller Holding and Norlys. So the company is aggressively scaling its operations. Likewise, the company claims to complete the first phase of their new state-of-the-art production facility near Kolding, Denmark. The company believes it will be one of the biggest alkaline electrolysis factories in all of Europe.
GHS has cracked the code to produce green hydrogen at any volume anywhere. They have been able to do this by combining highly efficient alkaline electrolyzers, a modular, scalable approach to system design, as well as their on-site production philosophy. Therefore, it results in low-CAPEX electrolysis solutions. Currently, the company provides its services to Fueling Stations, Power-to-x, special projects as well as Industry.
- Founded: 2007
- Headquarters: Nordager, Denmark
- Number of employees: Around 50 employees
- Sector: Biomass, Bionergery, Biofuel
- Website: GreenHydrogen.dk
7. Cambi Group A/S
Cambi Group A/S started as a development company named “Kambi” in 1989. The name was put after the Latin word ‘cambium’ which refers to the part of the tree where growth takes place. However, Cambi was officially established in 1992 to develop as well as market the steam explosion process for sewage sludge.
Currently, the company is the global leading provider of thermal hydrolysis systems, advanced anaerobic digestion systems as well as biogas solutions for sewage sludge and organic waste management. The other services that the company offers are Biosolids Disposal services, THP Solutions, Business Case Analysis, Implementation, Operation, and Improvement.
Furthermore, the company offers technologies that are efficient, require low maintenance as well as, are easy to operate, and help in achieving ambitious sustainability goals. Likewise, Cambi’s vision is to be at the forefront of green technology development whilst bringing to market economically sound as well as reliable solutions and addressing the global challenges of the water-food-energy nexus.
- Founded: 1992
- Headquarters: Radvadsvej, Kobenhavn, Denmark
- Number of employees: More than 88 employees
- Sector: Bioenergy, Biofuel, Biomass
- Website: Cambi.com
8. COWI
Cowi is one of the top renewable energy companies in Denmark established in 1930 by Christen Ostenfeld. Christen Ostenfeld was an engineer and introduced prefabricated steel structures that allow contractors to work at a good speed even in the cold Danish winter. Still today, the company claims to be driven by vision and values rather than money as well as ambition.
The company’s vision is to create nothing but coherence in tomorrow’s sustainable world. COWI specializes in energy concepts as well as the implementation that meets the increasing modern demand for reliable, efficient as well as sustainable energy solutions. Furthermore, the company can work regarding energy planning, production as well as thermal, power, wind, solar as well as renewable energy, oil, and gas.
Nonetheless, energy-efficient heat, as well as cooling solutions, also fall among their specialities. COWI has completed many projects, not just in Denmark but internationally as well. The company has successfully completed many various projects in many different countries worldwide. Currently, the company is working on more than 14,000 projects across the globe.
- Founded: 1930 by Christen Ostenfeld
- Headquarters: Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
- Number of employees: About 7,300 employees worldwide
- Sector: Biogas, Biofuel, Bioenergy, Solar Energy, Wind Energy
- Website: COWI.com
9. Lemvig Biogas
Lemvig Biogas is another company that comes in our list of Top renewable energy companies in Denmark. Furthermore, it is also Denmark’s largest thermophilic biogas plant and has been producing biogas since 1992. Currently, the company utilizes manure from more than 75 agriculture as well as converts waste and residual products. All this converted waste, as well as residual products from production, are turned into biogas.
Local CHP plants buy and use this biogas. With help of gas engines, these Local CHP plants convert the biogas to 33 million kWh of electricity per year. This number easily covers the annual electricity consumption of 22,000 people.
Not just electricity but they convert this biogas to heat. 55 Million kWh heat is the surplus heat from the gas engine's cooling system. This benefits the district heating consumers in different places like Lemvig, Norre, Nissum, Klinkby, Lomborg as well as Ramme. Almost the annual heat consumption of over 3,000 households corresponds to the number of heat generated from the biogas.
- Founded: 1992
- Headquarters: Lemvig, Denmark
- Number of employees: Around 15 employees in Lemvig
- Sector: Biomass, Biogas, Bioenergy
- Website: LemvigBiogas.com
10. Solar Turbines
Solar Turbines company believes in powering the future through innovative energy solutions. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc. It manufactures the world’s most widely used mid-sized industrial gas turbines that range from 1 to 23 megawatts and suit family use.
Currently, more than 16,000 solar units are installed in more than 100 countries with more than 3 billion operating hours by Solar Turbines. Furthermore, the company claims to be the leading provider of energy solutions and features extensive lines of gas turbine-powered compressor sets, mechanical drive packages as well as generator sets.
Solar Turbines provides products like Gas Compressors, Gas Compressor Packages, Mechanical Drive Packages, Oil and gas generator packages as well as Power generation Packages. Not just these, but the company also put their products to work in many areas that include production, processing as well as pipe transmission of natural gas and crude oil. Generation of electricity, as well as thermal energy for processing applications like manufacturing chemicals, pharmaceuticals as well as food products also, falls under this.
- Founded: 1927
- Headquarters: Denmark
- Number of employees: 8,000 employees worldwide
- Sector: Solar Energy
- Website: SolarTrubines.com
Also Read: Top Renewable Energy Degrees to be Renewable Energy Experts in 2021
11. Ramboll Group
Ramboll was founded in 1945 as global engineering, architecture as well as and consultancy company. Two young engineers at that time named Borge Johannes Ramboll and Johan Georg Hannemann are the founders of the company.
Currently, the company has more than 16,500 employees who are experts in creating sustainable solutions across Buildings, Transport, Water, Environment & Health, Architecture, Landscape & Urbanism, Energy as well as Management Consulting. Furthermore, the company combines local experience with the global knowledge base to create sustainable cities as well as modern sustainable societies.
Moreover, Ramboll works and provides services across all the markets. It covers markets such as Building, transport, Planning and Urban Design, Water, Environment and Health, energy, Towers and Telecom as well as management Consulting.
When it comes to the Energy market, the company provides services like energy strategy and planning, renewable energy, wind energy, solar power, waste-to-energy, power generation, oil and gas, gas and LNG, power transmission and distribution as well as Digitalisation in Energy.
- Founded: 1945
- Headquarters: Copenhagen, Denmark
- Number of employees: more than 16,500 employees
- Sector: Bio-energy, Wind energy, Solar energy
- Website: Ramboll.com
12. Viking Wind
Viking Wind was founded in 2009 and its first name during its establishment was HSWind. Later, for some export reasons, the company decided to rename Viking Wind in 2017. As the company name itself suggests, Viking Wind manufacturers Wind Turbines for households. Furthermore, its first turbine was approved in the month of May 2011.
The company produces a strong and reliable 25 KW wind turbine fit for household use. Furthermore, the wind turbine design is based on standard Danish principles thereby making it both of high functionality as well as grand aesthetics. Moreover, Viking Wind claims their Wind Turbines can perform at its top standard for at least 25 years straight, and also the performance rate is sizable.
Currently, the company has two Wind Turbines Models; Viking 25 and Viking VS. Viking 25 is renowned as the first household wind turbine developed by the company whereas Viking VS is its successor. Therefore, Viking VS is more refined thereby providing better performance as well as flexibility. Similarly, Viking VS’s performance is adjustable between 10 KW to 25 KW.
However, both Wind Turbines are highly functional. Likewise, their installation, as well as maintenance, is also easy as well as cost-effective whilst the design of the three-blade Viking Wind turbines is just eye-pleasing.
- Founded: 2009
- Headquarters: Randers, Denmark
- Number of employees: around 3-10 employees
- Sector: Wind Energy
- Website: VikingWind.com
13. Energinet
Energinet is an independent public enterprise but also is one of the top renewable energy companies in Denmark. Furthermore, it is owned by the Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy as well as Utilities. The company owns, operates as well as develops the transmission systems of electricity and natural gas in Denmark. Its main purpose is to contribute to the development of a climate-neutral energy supply.
Similarly, the company believes 100 recent green transitions of energy systems are one of the most important keys to avoiding global climate change. That’s why the company works with designing, maintaining, developing as well as expanding energy systems that will help renewable energy to reach Denmark and around the globe.
Energinet is among the best in the world when it comes to integrating wind energy into power systems. Likewise, the company continuously expands as well as renovates the danish electricity transmission grids and international interconnections. Similarly, the company also develops Biomethane gas systems to get prepared for tomorrow’s energy solutions. Furthermore, they are committed to making gas more eco-friendly than ever.
Nevertheless, Energinet is Denmark’s national transmission system operator for electricity as well as natural gas. Not to forget to mention, the company owns a 20 percent stake in Nord Pool Spot AS which is the largest electricity market in the world.
- Founded: 2005
- Headquarters: Fredericia, Denmark
- Number of employees: around 1150 employees
- Sector: Wind Energy, Biogas
- Website: Energinet.dk
14. Komptech
Komptech is one of the leading international technology suppliers of machinery as well as systems regarding mechanical. Also, it works regarding the mechanical-biological treatment of solid waste and for the treatment of biomass as a renewable energy source. The company was established in 1992 with an innovative reason behind it which was to develop a Topturn compost turner for biodegradable waste.
Currently, the company’s product range includes over more than 30 different types of machines. It covers all key process steps in modern waste handling like shredding, separation as well as biological treatment. However, the company is always on innovative technology as well as solutions that ensure the maximum benefit for customers.
Komptech has its own business field that it operates. It operates in business fields such as Composting, Fermentation, Biomass treatment, Mechanical and mechanical-biological waste treatment, Treatment of refuse-derived fuels, Waste wood treatment as well as special applications for shredding and separation.
Currently, the company is running a Grind Smart project. The main two objectives of this project are to boost energy efficiency as well as to reduce CO2 emissions. The project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.
- Founded: 1992
- Headquarters: Odense, Denmark
- Number of employees: around 500-1000 employees
- Sector: Waste management
- Website: Komptech.com
15. Suzlon
Suzlon is one of Indian’s leading renewable energy solutions providing companies. The company offers an all-around total renewable solutions package to its customers. Moreover, it covers the entire spectrum of wind energy generation projects. Furthermore, for two decades straight, the company's turnkey solutions as well as lifetime supports combined with the best-in-class products have created value for their customers around the globe.
Suzlon has successfully established itself as a major wind energy solutions provider company in Europe. The company did it in a short amount of time and signed contracts worth 773 MW of power for delivery to 29 sites across 9 countries in Europe. The company has established subsidiaries in European countries like Denmark, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, South Africa, Latin America as well as Romania.
Currently, the company has operational facilities installed in Denmark as well as in Madrid, Spain apart from different various OMS teams spread across the continent for maintenance of its installed WTGs. These operational facilities handle different aspects of the wind energy value chain ranging from IT support, SCADA development, W&S, spare parts storage as well as handling and developing blades.
Similarly, Suzlon has marked its strong presence in over 18 countries. Also, the company has over 12,000 wind turbines installed across six continents. It also has 14 world-class manufacturing facilities in India as well as China. The company has installed 18,800 MW worth of Wind Energy solutions, installed over 12000 WTGs, and serves over 1,800 customers globally.
- Founded: 1995
- Headquarters: Aarhus, Denmark
- Number of employees: Around 1,800 employees
- Sector: Wind Energy
- Website: Suzlon.com
Also Read: How Renewable Energy will transform the world?
How much renewable energy is produced by Denmark’s renewable energy company?
Denmark has a long tradition of being world-leading in terms of meeting national energy targets. The country has aimed for renewable energy to cover half of the energy consumption by 2030. Likewise, by 2050, Denmark aims to become a low-carbon country in terms of fossil fuels. With a flexible domestic power system and with advanced interconnection, the country has managed to become a global leader in the integration of various renewable energy with a reliable and secure electrical power grid.
In Feb 2020, Denmark supplied 50 percent of the electricity demand from wind energy and solar energy. The rest of the energy came from both renewable and non-renewable energy sources. This means more than 50 percent of the country's energy is produced from renewable sources utilized by top renewable energy companies in Denmark.
Also, altogether Denmark passes 50 percent in renewable electricity generation. Furthermore, the country has set its goal to generate 100 percent of energy from renewable sources only. This is to fulfil the energy needs of all sectors as well as citizens of the country. So, we know that renewable energy companies associated with Wind Energy play a much vital role than others.
Source: Our World in Data
Conclusion
Denmark has stood as a country with the highest wind power production in the world. The Danish companies are leading in wind turbine manufacture and have ambitious renewable energy expansion programs. The wind has become a major source of electricity, followed by non-renewable, wood, solar, waste, biogas, and hydro. Denmark is leading the way toward a sustainable future with heavy investment in renewable energy.
The country gathers its 3.1% of GDP from renewable technology of around 6.5 billion euros. The tax exemption from the country to families has encouraged people to invest in wind power. Also, the country has achieved its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2020. This number easily surpasses the legally binding European Union commitment of 34 percent.
Furthermore, Denmark has been awarded by the World Energy Council not just once but twice in a row for having the world's highest energy security whilst increasing economic growth, jobs as well as greenhouse gas reduction. All this not just shows how strong Denmark is in terms of Renewable Energy but also shows the potential it has to be the global leader in renewable energy.
Lastly, let's have a quick look at the top renewable energy companies in Denmark.
S.N |
Top Renewable Energy Companies in Denmark |
1. |
Vestas |
2. |
Orsted |
3. |
Steeper Energy |
4. |
Danish Renewables |
5. |
Denmark Energy Agency |
6. |
Green Hydrogen Systems |
7. |
Cambi Group A/S |
8. |
COWI |
9. |
Lemvig Biogas |
10. |
Solar Turbines |
11. |
Ramboll Group |
12. |
Energinet |
13. |
Viking wind |
14. |
Komptech |
15. |
Suzlon Energy |
Also Read: Top 15 Renewable Energy Companies in New Zealand [Updated 2021]