Natural resources and energy
Denmark has no metals and relatively few other raw materials in the earth, but there is both oil and natural gas off the Danish coast. The country has long been self-sufficient with chalk, limestone, clay, sand, gravel and salt.
The extraction of oil and natural gas in the Danish part of the North Sea began in the mid-1970s. Before that, Denmark had been completely dependent on energy imports. In 1993, Denmark was self-sufficient with oil, and in 1997 with energy. Thereafter, Denmark was a net exporter of energy until 2013. Production and net exports of oil and natural gas peaked in 2005–2006 but have since then declined by more than half. The production of energy from renewable sources now corresponds to a quarter of the country’s total consumption.
- COUNTRYAAH: Major exports by Denmark with a full list of the top products exported by the country. Includes trade value in U.S. dollars and the percentage for each product category.
Electricity and heat are still produced using coal during cold periods, but imports have been reduced by two-thirds since 2006. The ambition is to completely switch to using its own natural gas.
Denmark is connected to the electricity networks in Sweden, Norway and Germany. During rainy years when hydropower production in Sweden and Norway is low, Denmark exports electricity to Sweden, and when hydropower production is high, Denmark instead imports electricity, even from nuclear power which Denmark itself has ceased to produce.
- Abbreviationfinder: A popular acronym site in the world covering abbreviation for each country. For example, DK stands for Denmark. Visit itypeusa for more information about Denmark.
FACTS – ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT
Energy use per person
2,817 kilograms of oil equivalent (2015)
Electricity consumption per person
5859 kWh, kWh (2014)
Carbon dioxide emissions in total
33 498 thousand tonnes (2014)
Carbon dioxide emissions per inhabitant
5.9 tonnes (2014)
The share of energy from renewable sources
33.2 percent (2015)
2017
December
Fishing stop in the Arctic
December 3
The fishing nations around the Arctic agree to stop all commercial fishing in the Arctic waters for the time being. In line with global warming, fish stocks have decreased in size and fishing hours have begun to take new paths. During the stop, the nations will conduct joint research to find out more about the ecosystems in the area in order to eventually be able to resume fishing. The agreement includes Canada, the EU, China, Denmark (Greenland and the Faroe Islands), Iceland, Japan, Norway, South Korea, Russia and the USA.
September
The police get help from the military
September 8
The Danish military will take over some specific information from the police, which is overloaded. Soldiers should be able to assist in guarding the border with Germany as well as guarding locations that are considered particularly vulnerable to the risk of terrorist attacks. Armed soldiers should also be able to patrol the streets in some parts of Copenhagen. This is announced by the country’s Minister of Justice Søren Pape Poulsen.
May
Preachers with hate-filled messages are forbidden
May 2
Denmark forbids six foreign ministers – five Muslim and one American evangelical pastor – to preach within the country in at least the next two years. The reason is that Denmark believes that the preachers spread hatred.
January
Danish soldiers are allowed to enter Syria
January 20th
The People’s Parliament gives green light to Danish special forces that are part of the US-led coalition against IS in Iraq to be able to enter Syria to contribute to the fight against the terrorist organization. This is announced by the Danish Ministry of Defense. Denmark currently contributes to the coalition with 400 soldiers (60 of whom belong to special forces), seven fighter aircraft and one transport aircraft.