{"id":129889,"date":"2026-07-15T12:29:25","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T12:29:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/129889\/"},"modified":"2026-07-15T12:29:25","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T12:29:25","slug":"india-and-denmark-redefining-energy-security-through-sustainable-solutions-etgovernment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/129889\/","title":{"rendered":"India and Denmark: Redefining Energy Security Through Sustainable Solutions, ETGovernment"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"<p>TheThe transition to clean energy is no longer driven solely by climate considerations. It has become equally a question of economic competitiveness, energy security, and national resilience.\u201cDependence on externally sourced fossil fuels is a security threat and an economic burden on both citizens and businesses.\u201d This statement, drawn from the coalition agreement of Denmark\u2019s government, resonates as strongly in India as it does in Denmark. <\/p>\n

Recent conflicts in West Asia have reminded governments and businesses worldwide that energy security is no longer an abstract policy objective. Geopolitical tensions have driven up energy prices, disrupted supply chains, and exposed the vulnerabilities associated with imported oil and gas. Whatever the trajectory of events in the region, one conclusion is increasingly clear: resilient energy systems are now central to economic stability and national security.<\/p>\n

Denmark has been less affected by recent energy shocks than many other countries because of a long-term commitment to the green transition. Since the oil crisis of the 1970s, Denmark has steadily reduced its dependence on fossil fuels by investing in renewable energy and strengthening its domestic energy system. Climate ambition remains the primary driver of Denmark\u2019s energy transition, but energy security has become an equally compelling consideration. <\/p>\n

Russia\u2019s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 exposed Europe\u2019s dependence on imported fossil fuels, while recent disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz<\/a> have reinforced concerns about the resilience of global energy markets. Together, these developments have accelerated the transition towards domestically produced renewable energy.<\/p>\n

By 2030, Denmark expects renewable sources to cover all domestic electricity consumption, while fossil natural gas will largely be replaced by domestically produced biogas. These milestones support Denmark\u2019s target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 70 per cent by 2030 and achieving climate neutrality by 2045. As these goals come within reach, the next phase of Denmark\u2019s transition is electrification. <\/p>\n

As electricity generation becomes increasingly renewable, transport, industry, and household energy consumption must also shift to electricity, significantly increasing demand for clean power.<\/p>\n

Today, electricity accounts for around 25 per cent of Denmark\u2019s final energy consumption. In India, the share is approximately 21 per cent. Although the two countries differ in many respects, the underlying challenge is remarkably similar. As NITI Aayog<\/a> has observed, \u201cIndia\u2019s development and climate goals increasingly hinge on one system: electricity.\u201d<\/p>\n

Denmark aims to increase electricity\u2019s share of final energy consumption to around 40 per cent by 2035. According to NITI Aayog\u2019s Scenarios Towards Viksit Bharat<\/a> and Net Zero report<\/a>, India is expected to reach a comparable level only shortly before 2050. This highlights both the scale of India\u2019s opportunity and the importance of accelerating the transition to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels while supporting sustainable economic growth.<\/p>\n

The pathways will naturally differ, but two priorities are universal. First, countries must invest substantially in electricity generation, transmission and grid infrastructure. Second, they must continue reducing the cost of clean electricity to support competitiveness and wider adoption. Denmark and the rest of Europe liberalized the power market 30 years ago. This has allowed for more renewable energy in the power grid and lower prices. The India power market is still depending upon expensive long term power purchase agreements, favouring fossil-based energy that is more expensive than renewables. In the end the price is paid by the Indian consumers \u2013 and the climate. <\/p>\n

India\u2019s challenge is particularly significant because the green transition must take place alongside rapid economic expansion. Achieving the ambition of becoming a developed economy by 2047 will require a dramatic expansion of energy supply, with total energy demand projected to nearly double over the coming decades.<\/p>\n

The scale of this challenge is reflected in projections by the Central Electricity Authority<\/a>. According to the 20th Electric Power Survey<\/a>, India\u2019s peak electricity demand is expected to more than double from around 250 GW to reach around 574 GW by 2041\u201342. Meeting this demand will require timely investments in generation, transmission, storage and grid modernisation to ensure reliable, affordable and round-the-clock power supply. <\/p>\n

This will require unprecedented investment\u2014not only to strengthen energy security and reduce emissions, but also to power industrial growth, urbanisation and rising living standards. India, however, is exceptionally well positioned. A recent study by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) estimates India\u2019s solar potential at 10,830 GW\u2014sufficient to generate roughly one-and-a-half times the country\u2019s projected electricity demand in 2070, the year by which India has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions. <\/p>\n

The International Energy Agency<\/a> similarly estimates that India\u2019s biogas potential exceeds its current natural gas consumption. Together with abundant wind and hydropower resources, India possesses the domestic renewable energy potential to significantly strengthen both energy security and climate neutrality.<\/p>\n

The challenge is therefore less about resource availability than about mobilising investment and making long-term, evidence-based planning decisions. This is an area where India and Denmark have developed a strong partnership. Denmark is sharing expertise in integrated energy planning and renewable energy integration while supporting India\u2019s efforts to establish the technical and regulatory foundations for offshore wind development.<\/p>\n

According to NITI Aayog, India will need to invest around USD 500 billion annually to achieve its ambitions of becoming a developed economy while reaching net-zero emissions by 2070. Over the coming decades, this represents investments exceeding USD 20 trillion. Much of this investment will be supported by India\u2019s continued economic growth. At the same time, electricity distribution companies will need access to affordable sources of power to generate sustainable returns on the capital investments required to meet future demand. To do so, they must secure electricity at the lowest possible cost.<\/p>\n

Renewable energy is increasingly emerging as the most competitive option. In many cases, electricity generated from coal-fired power plants is not only more carbon-intensive but also more expensive than power from wind and solar sources. As renewable technologies continue to mature and costs decline, the economic case for accelerating their deployment becomes increasingly compelling. Whenever possible, investment decisions should therefore facilitate greater access to low-cost renewable electricity.<\/p>\n

The transition to clean energy is no longer driven solely by climate considerations. It has become equally a question of economic competitiveness, energy security, and national resilience. Countries that succeed in building affordable, reliable, and domestically sourced energy systems will be better positioned to attract investment, create jobs, and shield their citizens from future geopolitical disruptions.<\/p>\n

For India, the opportunity is extraordinary. The resource base is abundant, the technologies are proven, and the economic rationale grows stronger each year. The task ahead is to translate this potential into reality through sustained investment, long-term planning, and continued international cooperation.<\/p>\n

(Dr Rasmus Alex Wendt is Energy Counsellor, Royal Danish Embassy; Views expressed are personal)\n <\/p>\n

Published On Jul 15, 2026 at 09:37 AM IST<\/p>\n

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