But while other countries invested in nuclear power and synthetic fuels, Denmark made substantial investments in developing wind power. But we can show the world that being environmentally conscious doesn't have to come at the expense of economic growth. Danish farmers have long used windmills to power pumps. The government, meanwhile, passed laws requiring utilities to buy the power at an attractive price. And thousands of rural residents joined wind-power cooperatives, buying turbines and leasing sites to build them, often on a member's land.
Government policies are critical, industry experts say.
Wind power has only succeeded where governments have provided tax or investment incentives or laws guaranteeing wind producers can sell electricity to the grid at an attractive price. These laws are a way to allow renewables to get a leg up in the marketplace. Ironically, many of the turbines were supplied by Danish companies, which jump-started the fledgling industry here. Similarly, when Danish price supports lapsed in 1999, so did orders for new turbines in Denmark. This year, the US market is expected to grow dramatically.