The Danish Prime Minister, Lars Rasmussen, recently stated Denmark needs a national wind turbine center, being a veteran and a leader in wind energy development since the 1970's. This is not the first time a Danish government official has emphasized the importance of establishing a wind turbine center in the country. Last year in September, the Danish Minister of Environment announced plans for building a national wind turbine test center in Denmark.

The test center was originally to be built somewhere in Jutland, but strong opposition, from the Danish Society for Nature Conservation for example, made the government reassess the possibilities for the future center's location. The choise has now come down to a location in Thisted, on the windy west coast of the country. It will occupy about 4 square kilometers of land that needs to be cleared of the forest. The cleared forest will be compensated for by conserving forsets on other locations in the country.

The test center,to be operated by the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), could become operational as early as 2012, provided everything goes as planned. The test facility will be able to perform testing on giant wind turbines, reaching as much as 250 meters in length. The chosen are will allow for the installation of seven units, of the ten originally planned. The center is expected to create significant R&D activities and jobs in the country in the future. With the emergence of new players in the global wind energy market, and the opening of large new wind markets, especially in North America and the Far East, Denmark cannot afford to be left behind the competion. The once pineering wind developer, and long-time world leader in the wind energy research and development has to act quickly in order to keep that position in the future.

The proposal for the new test center is in the Danish Parliament, and could be ratified as early as Summer 2010.

[Image: Risø]