Danish island leads the way in clean energy

http://www.bruneitimes.com.bn/details.php?shape_ID=29885

BATTERED by winds in the waters off eastern Denmark, the picturesque island of Samsoe has broken free of its dependence on oil and gas and, thanks to devoted residents, is now powered solely by renewable energies.

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Samsoe is entirely self-sufficient for its electricity, 100 per cent of which is generated by 11 one-megawatt wind turbines installed on the land in 2000, while 70 per cent of its heating comes from solar panels, hay and biomass.

The island is also "carbon-neutral", which means that it offsets its own carbon dioxide emissions by investing in Kyoto Protocol-style projects that reduce pollution elsewhere.

"We became carbon-neutral in 2003 when we installed 10 offshore wind turbines that generate 2.3 megawatts each, which enabled us to compensate for 140 per cent of emissions from transport on the island by offering offshore electricity to the rest of Denmark," said Soeren Hermansen, head of the project.

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