ENERGY USE IN DENMARK - AN INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

This paper reviews the evolution of energy use in Denmark since the ea rly 1970s, in order to shed light on the future path of energy use in Denmark, with particular emphasis on the role of energy efficiency. Im provements in end-use energy efficiency reduced primary energy require ments in Denmark by 22% between 1972 and 1988. This change accounts fo r two-thirds of the decline in the ratio of energy use to gross domest ic product that occurred during this time: the rest of the decline was caused by changes in the mix of goods and services produced and consu med by the Danes. Total energy savings achieved between 1972 and 1988 in Denmark ranked among the highest measured in any major OECD country . Overall, most of the energy savings in Denmark were brought about th rough improvements in technology. Short-term changes in consumer behav iour were significant in reducing energy needs for space heating and t ransport. An important stimulus for improved efficiency was higher ene rgy prices, led in no small part by significant taxes imposed on small consumers of heating oil, electricity and motor fuels.