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The European Union: Nordic Countries and Germany Chapter j 14 265

and small population size, some islands in Denmark have aggressively reduced
their carbon footprint and can serve as blueprints for other islands of similar
stature.

Ærø

Ærø is located in the Baltic Sea south of the island of Fyn, is approximately
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88 km , has a population of around 6300, and generates 55% of its energy
from wind, solar, and biomass. The island has had a history of interest in
renewable energy, starting in 1981 with the establishment of the Ærø Energy
and Environment Office comprising 200 local residents with the goal of
bringing renewable energy to the island. By 1985, 11 55 kW wind turbines
were erected on the island, all financed and owned by a cooperative of 128
local shareholders (Aeroe Energy and Environment Office). In the early 2000s,
plans to replace the old wind turbines with two wind parks of 3 2MW
(12 MW total) turbines were pursued, continuing the theme of local invest-
ment in local electricity production. The wind turbine investment cost was
divided into shares, of which people living on the island or owning a house
there were guaranteed up to 20 of, the rest being available on a first come first
serve basis. For the first wind park, two organizations were created to take
advantage of different tax regulations, one comprising six people owning one
turbine, the other 550 people owning the other two. The second wind park was
financed in a similar way, yet only secured 200 investors, with individual
investors owning more shares. Banks provided loans for investment in turbine
shares, with the shares many times serving as collateral. Payback time for
investment in the shares was around 8 years. The wind turbines are 100%
community owned through 650 people, approximately 10% of the island’s
population, and cover 130% of the island’s electricity usage (Zipkin et al.,
2015).
The island also utilizes the sun both for electricity and heat. Although
500 kW of rooftop PV capacity is installed with an annual production of
400 MWh, it is the island’s use of solar heating that is impressive. The island
heavily uses solar collectors to supply heat via the island’s three district heating
networks. The island’s largest district heating network supplies heat to 1460
2
people and is Europe’s largest solar district heating plant with 33,000 m of
solar collectors. When not using solar heat, the district heating systems utilize
biomass resources to power combined heat and power (CHP) generators,
resulting in 100% renewable district heat systems. District heating supplies
65% of the island’s heating supply (Sunstore 4, 2013)(Figs. 14.4 and 14.5).

Samsø
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Samsø is an island off the Danish Jutland peninsula 114 km and with a 2017
population of around 3700. Starting in 1998, Samsø began planning a 10-year