Greenland is a country with significant potential for renewable energy. The country has abundant renewable resources, such as wind, solar, hydroelectric, and biomass. In 2020, 71% of the energy produced by Nukissiorfiit, Greenland’s energy company, was green energy from solar, wind, and hydroelectric power sources. The country has set a goal of producing 100% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
Hydropower: Greenland has numerous untapped hydropower resources, with estimates suggesting the potential to generate up to 300 GW of electricity, far exceeding the country’s current needs of around 800 GWh per year. Hydropower accounts for about 70% of Greenland’s electricity production, and there are plans to expand the capacity and efficiency of existing hydropower plants, as well as to develop new ones.
Wind Power: Greenland’s strong and consistent winds also offer significant potential for wind power generation. However, the harsh arctic climate and remote locations pose challenges for development. Wind power accounts for about 1% of Greenland’s electricity production, and there are several small-scale wind farms and hybrid systems in operation. There are also initiatives to explore the feasibility and viability of larger-scale wind projects, such as offshore wind farms.
Solar Power: While solar energy potential is limited due to Greenland’s northern latitude and long winter days, there are still possibilities for small-scale solar installations in certain areas. Solar power accounts for less than 0.1% of Greenland’s electricity production, and there are a few pilot projects and research studies on the use of solar power in Greenland.
Developing Greenland’s renewable energy potential could bring several benefits, including:
• Reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels: Greenland currently relies heavily on imported oil for its energy needs, making it vulnerable to price fluctuations and environmental concerns.
• Boosting economic growth and development: The renewable energy sector could create new jobs and attract investment to Greenland.
• Contributing to the fight against climate change: By replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy, Greenland can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.
However, there are also challenges to developing Greenland’s renewable energy potential, such as:
• High upfront costs: Building hydropower plants and other renewable energy infrastructure can be expensive.
• Harsh climate conditions: The arctic climate can make it difficult and costly to operate and maintain renewable energy facilities.
• Limited transmission and distribution infrastructure: Greenland’s existing electricity grid is not well-suited for large-scale renewable energy integration.