Denmark Moves To Accelerate Renewable E-Fuels

Orsted
Denmark has plans for massive offshore wind farms to power hydrogen electrolyzers.
Credit: Orsted

Citing the need to loosen Russia’s grip on Europe’s energy supply, Denmark’s government has announced a series of measures to accelerate the production of green fuels from renewable energy, including synthetic e-kerosene for aviation.

Agreement to scale up “power-to-X” (PtX) production was reached by all of Denmark’s main political parties “in the shadow of the serious situation in Europe, where energy dependence and acceleration of green alternatives are more relevant than ever,” the Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities said. The deal aims to produce green fuel for aircraft, ships and trucks, for domestic and export markets.

The agreement includes a DKK1.25 billion ($184 million) subsidy scheme in the form of a government tender for green hydrogen production. Improved incentives for producers are also part of the plan. Denmark’s government said it has now directed DKK3 billion in funding to PtX since 2019.

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in January set the goal of all domestic aviation being fossil-free by 2030. Under the new agreement, the country plans to build an electrolysis capacity of 4-6 gigawatts by 2030, which will place it in the top three green hydrogen producers in Europe, the Ministry said.

“With the agreement, the starting shot is for a green business and export adventure, which is now also about becoming independent of Russian energy sources as soon as possible,” Trade and Industry Minister Simon Kollerup said in a statement.

Graham Warwick

Graham leads Aviation Week's coverage of technology, focusing on engineering and technology across the aerospace industry, with a special focus on identifying technologies of strategic importance to aviation, aerospace and defense.