Sustainable Energy  in Greenland

In recent decades Greenland has become increasingly focused on implementing the use of renewable energy into its energy supply. Greenland has a hydropower gross potential of approx. 800,000 GW/h per year.  More than 15 large potential sites for hydroelectric power stations for both consumer and industrial purposes have been pinpointed, comprising a total potential of 13,000 GW/h per year.

In 1993 the first hydroelectric power plant in “Buksefjorden” near the capital Nuuk was put into service. Several other hydroelectric power plants are planned in the near future. 

It is a political objective to reduce fossil fuel imports through the increasing use of renewable energy sources, more efficient production and transmission of energy, and the promotion of cleaner energy production in general. 

Furthermore, research is going on into ways in which Greenland can accommodate the energy needs of the power-intensive industry by supplying clean and cheap hydroelectric power.  Thus, the international aluminium industry is currently investigating the investment potential of Greenland in this area.

The most attractive industrial hydropower potentials are located along the western edge of Greenland’s Ice Cap, between 62 and 68 degrees north. In this region the vast interior contains a potential for each reservoir of somewhere between 600-2500 GW/ h per year. 4-5 reservoirs in particular are highly attractive: Tasersiaq, Imarsuup Isua, Søndre Isortup Isua and Tasersuup Isua.

Greenland’s supply of fresh water also forms the basis of an ambition to investigate the potential of the hydrogen industry, and what it has to offer for the modern world and the environment.

For more information, please contact Nukissiorfiit – Greenland Power Company – at nukissiorfiit@nukissiorfiit.gl or the Department of Industry at ip@gh.gl