Nuclear power in Denmark

[5] Anti-nuclear sentiment within Denmark increased in the early 1970s following the Three Mile Island accident and the construction of the controversial Barsebäck Nuclear Power Plant.

[6] In reaction to climate change, the 21st century has seen renewed interest in Denmark in nuclear energy production as an alternative to the use of fossil fuels.

Bohr was acutely aware of this fact, and as the rest of the scientific establishment followed his lead at the time, very little progress was made until the early 1950s.

After a 1955 American sponsored campaign from the US Information Service called "Atomet i Hverdagen" (English: The Atom in Everyday Life), the majority of Danes anticipated that nuclear energy would be "more of a boon than a curse to mankind".

Later attempts to partner with Sweden's AB Atomenergi to develop a heavy water reactor also failed due to a lack of collaboration and economic viability.

[5] By the turn of the 21st century, Risø was particularly noted for its research related to wind energy, solid-oxide fuel cells, and climate change.

[citation needed] The 1973 oil crisis brought the development of nuclear power in Denmark back into public focus.

[13][14][6] They campaigned against the construction of nuclear power facilities in Denmark, and instead advocated for greater use of coal, natural gas, and biogas, along with energy-saving measures and an increased focus on the development of wind and solar technology.

Their counter-publications affirming the safety of the Barsebäck plant made less of an impact than the OOA's efforts, and the broader Danish public remained opposed.

[6] The Barsebäck plant, the Chernobyl disaster, and the Three Mile Island accident lead to increasing anti-nuclear sentiments in Denmark, spurring energy debates in the Folketing.

[19] In March 2024 the Minister of Climate, Energy and Utilities, Lars Aagaard, announced that test reactors may be built in Denmark, provided that they do not produce electricity.