Nuclear power in Denmark

A mural of the Smiling Sun anti-nuclear symbol from 1976 on Vestergade in Aarhus.

Denmark imports but does not produce nuclear energy, which is in accordance with a 1985 law passed by the Danish parliament, prohibiting power production from nuclear energy in Denmark.[1][2][3] In 2014 and 2015, imported nuclear power accounted for 3-4% of electricity consumption in Denmark.[4]

Beginning in the 1950s, the Danish government funded efforts to research and establish nuclear power plants in Denmark through the Danish Atomic Energy Commission and the Risø National Laboratory.[5] Anti-nuclear sentiment within Denmark increased in the early 1970s following the Chernobyl disaster, the Three Mile Island accident, and the construction of the controversial Barsebäck Nuclear Power Plant. Protests made by the Organisationen til Oplysning om Atomkraft (English: Organisation for Nuclear Information; OOA) and dissent among the majority of voters led the Danish government to halt the rollout of a nuclear power program in 1976, and eventually prohibit the generation of nuclear power in 1985.[6]

In reaction to climate change, the 21st century has seen renewed interest in Denmark in nuclear energy production as an alternative to the use of fossil fuels.[7][8] In August 2023, a Gallup poll showed that 55% of Denmark's population views nuclear power favourably, compared to 26% against.[9]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference nip99 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Regulatory and Institutional Framework for Nuclear Activities. Denmark" (PDF). Nuclear Legislation in OECD Countries. OECD/NEA: 4. 2007. ISSN 1727-3854.
  3. ^ Energy Policies of IEA Countries - Denmark. 2006 Review (PDF). OECD/IEA. 2006. p. 132. ISBN 92-64-10971-4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-26. Retrieved 2011-03-15.
  4. ^ "Rekord lav CO2-udledning fra elforbrug i 2015". energinet.dk (in Danish). 1 March 2016. Archived from the original on 20 March 2016.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference :4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Bjørn-Hansen, Søren. "Atomkraft, ja tak?". DR (in Danish).
  8. ^ Ebbesen Jensen, Andreas (12 December 2022). "Atomkraft - Ja tak?". Science Illustrated (in Danish). Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  9. ^ Øyen, Morten (5 September 2023). "NY måling: Mere end hver anden vælger er åben for atomkraft i Danmark". Altinget.dk (in Danish).