Danish royal couple riding wave of a cleaner energy future

25 November 2011

The royal visit by Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary shows that clean energy can help to drive a genuinely 21st Century economy, according to the Clean Energy Council.

Clean Energy Council Chief Executive Matthew Warren said the main reason Denmark’s royal couple was visiting Australia was to promote clean energy such as wind power.

“It is great to see Prince Frederik and Princess Mary representing the next generation by supporting wind power, an important 21st century source of clean energy,” Mr Warren said.

“Denmark has geared its economy towards the future by embracing clean energy. It generates around 20 per cent of its electricity from wind energy and manufactures just under half of the world’s wind turbines, demonstrating that clean energy can contribute to a strong economy.”

Mr Warren said that while in Australia the royal couple had met with the Clean Energy Council, the Prime Minister, state leaders and many more, while attending Denmark’s State of Green sustainability conference. Prince Frederik is scheduled to visit the Macarthur Wind Farm in south-west Victoria today.

“Having travelled with the Prince and Princess this week, I can say that clean energy is something they are passionate about and want to share with the rest of the world,” he said.

“Although wind energy is a variable source of power, the Danes have been able to successfully make it a mainstream part of their electricity supply, as we have in states such as South Australia.

“Wind power has helped reduce carbon emissions in South Australia by 18 per cent over the last five years and is supported by approximately eight out of 10 Australians.

“It’s no longer a question of whether the world makes the transition to clean energy, but how long it will take,” Mr Warren said.

For more information or to arrange an interview, contact Clean Energy Council Media Manager Mark Bretherton on 0413 556 981