Can the electricity sector be 100% renewable in the Faroe Islands?

In 2030 the electricity sector in the Faroe Islands should be 100% renewable, according to the local electrical power company SEV. It is therefore necessary to study, how this goal can be reached with the minimum costs. This can be determined through optimisation of the future electricity sector. This paper presents such an optimisation.

Should the Faroe Islands be self-sufficient?

Isolated in the North Atlantic Ocean, the Faroe Islands need to be self sufficient in terms of electricity generation as the Faroese electrical grid is not interconnected to neighbouring countries. SEV operates six hydro power plants, three thermal power plants, three wind farms and one solar power plant.

How many wind farms are there in the Faroe Islands?

Furthermore, external suppliers operate one wind farm and one biomass plant. Total installed capacity in the Faroe Islands is 163 MW and total power generation in 2019 was 386 GWh. Max demand was 63.1 MW in November 2020. In 2018, 49% of power generation came from renewable sources, i.e. hydro and wind power, respectively.

Are the Faroe Islands a sustainable country?

Did you know that the Faroe Islands is one of the world’s leading nations in producing sustainable electricity with over 50% of the nation’s electricity deriving from renewable energy sources? There is no shortage of renewable power in the Faroe Islands, due to the ocean currents and tides of the Northeast Atlantic and an abundance of strong wind.

Why is Sev the main power supplier in the Faroe Islands?

SEV is the main power supplier in the Faroe Islands. We operate on 17 of the 18 islands that constitute the Faroe Islands. Isolated in the North Atlantic Ocean, the Faroe Islands need to be self sufficient in terms of electricity generation as the Faroese electrical grid is not interconnected to neighbouring countries.