Denmark at work: Growth plan for energy and climate.

The present document contains Denmark's growth plan for energy and climate for the period 2013-2020. With this Plan, the government, in collaboration with businesses and other actors, will strengthen the existing framework so that Danish business potential in energy and climate is utilized and that growth and new jobs are created in line with a green energy transition at home and globally.
The Plan focuses on five main areas: 1. Green transition of the energy system - a more flexible and coherent energy system; 2. Export promotion - out to the global markets; 3. Buildings - more energy- efficient and sustainable buildings; 4. Research, development, market maturation and education - Denmark as a green test and demonstration country; and 5. Resource utilization - efficient extraction of fossil resources in the North Sea.
As regards green transition of the energy system (1), the government aims at supplying 100% renewable energy by 2050, where wind power will play an essential role. Flexibility will be achieved through the Smart Grid Strategy to counterbalance the fluctuation in electricity production from wind turbines. Strengthening the comparative advantage in district heating will also contribute to increased export. With regard to export promotion (2), the government will strengthen the existing framework to allow companies supply products and system solutions. With this aim, it will give the Export Credit Agency the possibility to support the export of energy system solutions. It will also continue the work of the Trade Council in promoting strategic export alliances between danish companies. The government has further created the National Contact Forum for Growth in the Wind Energy Sector, whose aim is to lay down the groundwork and coordinate the regional and national growth strategy in the wind energy sector. As a way to further promote Denmark's experience in policy development, regulation and system development in the energy sector; the government will create a unit responsible for the export of the Danish energy model. Finally, the government will continue working to reduce trade barriers affecting climate and environmental-friendly products.
Further, as regards buildings (3), the government thinks that efforts in energy renovation will increase the demand of technologies and solutions for energy conservation in buildings, which can increase exports in the long run. It will therefore promote energy renovation through the Green Building Contract (Grøn Boligkontrakt) initiative, whose aim is to facilitate home owners to receive technical advice and services related to energy renovation. The government will also promote the use of sustainable building processes and materials. As regards research, development, market maturation and education (4), the government intends to keep the current enabling framework and will strongly prioritize the area. The government will also ensure that competence is in place by evaluating the need for specialized postgraduate study programs within energy efficiency and renewable energies, and coordinate with higher institutions accordingly. Finally, when it comes to resource utilization (5), the government recognizes that fossil fuels will still play an important role in the future, and will establish a long-term strategy for optimizing the extraction of oil and gas in the North Sea.