On November 28, 2013, wind power provided 100% of Denmark's electricity demand. During the early morning hours when consumption was lowest, wind turbines were generating 122% of the country's needs.
When Denmark Ran Entirely on Wind Power
In the early hours of November 28, 2013, something remarkable happened in Denmark. The country's wind turbines were spinning so efficiently that they produced more electricity than the entire nation needed. At certain points, wind was generating 122% of Denmark's power demand.
This wasn't a fluke—it was the culmination of decades of deliberate energy policy.
How Denmark Became a Wind Superpower
Denmark's wind energy journey started in the 1970s during the oil crisis. While other nations doubled down on fossil fuels, Denmark invested heavily in wind research and development. By 2013, the country had become a global leader in wind technology.
The November 2013 milestone came during a period of strong winds combined with low overnight electricity demand. Danish turbines were churning out so much power that the country actually exported the excess to Norway, Germany, and Sweden through interconnected grids.
The 122% Mystery Explained
How can you produce more than 100% of your needs? The answer lies in timing and infrastructure:
- Electricity demand drops dramatically between midnight and 6 AM
- Wind doesn't care about human sleep schedules—it blows when it blows
- Denmark's grid connections allow excess power to flow to neighboring countries
- Some surplus went to pumped hydro storage in Norway
Rather than wasting this bounty, Denmark turned it into an export commodity, earning revenue while helping decarbonize the broader European grid.
A Preview of the Future
What seemed extraordinary in 2013 has become increasingly common. Denmark now regularly experiences days where wind exceeds 100% of demand. In 2023, the country generated over 55% of its total annual electricity from wind.
The small Scandinavian nation has proven that renewable energy isn't just viable—it can be abundant. Countries around the world now study Denmark's model for integrating variable renewable energy into national grids.
Critics once argued that wind power could never provide reliable baseload electricity. Denmark's achievement on that November night—and countless nights since—proved them spectacularly wrong.