Ørsted will be the first energy company in the world to complete a green transformation with a 98 % reduction in carbon emissions

Ørsted has delivered on its industry-leading decarbonisation target, transforming from one of Europe’s most fossil-fuel-intensive utilities to a market leader in offshore wind. Renewable energy now accounts for 99 % of the company’s energy production, while its scope 1 and 2 emissions intensity has been reduced by more than 98 % compared to 2006. As Ørsted will meet its 2025 target, it will become the world’s first energy company to complete a green transformation from fossil fuels to renewable energy.   

“Decarbonisation is at the heart of Ørsted. We were founded on a promise to deliver green, affordable, and secure energy to governments around the world, and over the past years, we’ve built 18,5 GW of renewable energy. In parallel, we’ve delivered on our own green transformation. With a 99 % renewable energy share and 98 % emissions reduction in line with science, we’re pleased to share that Ørsted’s green transformation is effectively complete,” says Ingrid Reumert, Senior Vice President for Global Stakeholder Relations at Ørsted.   
 
“As the past ten years are the warmest on record, emissions reductions across societies are more important than ever. We’ll continue to build out offshore wind in our core markets and will take the next steps in our decarbonisation journey with a focus on reducing our upstream and downstream carbon emissions towards 2040,” says Reumert. 

Ørsted has reached this major milestone on its net-zero journey through a combination of several levers: deploying offshore wind power and other renewable energy sources, closing coal-fired combined heat and power plants and converting the remaining plants to certified sustainable biomass, divesting oil and gas activities, electrifying the vehicle fleet, and covering its own electricity consumption with renewable electricity certificates.   

Going forward, Ørsted will collaborate with partners and continue to systematically drive down its emissions across the full value chain (scopes 1-3) towards its science-based 2040 net-zero target. A net-zero road map has been established, including efforts to decarbonise remaining emissions from e.g. steel, copper, and maritime fuels.  

Accelerated climate commitment needed at COP30
Ørsted’s decarbonisation landmark comes at a pivotal moment, as COP30 unfolds in Brazil and the world struggles to meet the climate targets set out in the Paris Agreement.

“This COP is about action. Rapid electrification through renewables is key to meeting climate targets. But in order to scale technologies such as offshore wind, governments need to provide predictability, attractive frameworks and certainty. In return, industry can unlock the investments needed to meet governments’ climate targets and help shape a clean, secure and affordable energy future,” says Reumert.

FACT BOX – SBTi targets and Ørsted’s decarbonisation 

• In 2009, Ørsted launched the vision to transform its business from fossil fuels to renewable energy. 

• In 2017, Ørsted set its first scope 1-2 target validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and committed to phasing out coal. 

• In 2021, Ørsted was the first energy company to set a science-based net-zero target for the full value chain (scopes 1-3).  

• In 2024, Ørsted closed its last coal-fired power station.  

• In 2025, Ørsted meets its science-based scope 1-2 target and effectively completes its green transformation (reducing its scope 1-2 greenhouse gas emissions by 98% since 2006 to 4 g CO2e/kWh and achieving a 99 % renewable energy share). 

• To deliver on its SBTi-validated 2040 net-zero target, Ørsted will continue to systematically drive business choices and collaborate with partners to reduce emissions across its value chain.  

For further information, please contact: 
Global Media Relations 
Kathrine Westermann 
+45 99 55 95 52 
kawes@orsted.com 

About Ørsted
Ørsted is a global leader in developing, constructing, and operating offshore wind farms, with a core focus on Europe. Backed by more than 30 years of experience in offshore wind, Ørsted has 10.2 GW of installed offshore capacity and 8.1 GW under construction. Ørsted’s total installed renewable energy capacity spanning Europe, Asia Pacific and North America exceeds 18 GW across a portfolio that also includes onshore wind, solar power, energy storage, bioenergy plants, and energy trading. Widely recognised as a global sustainability leader, Ørsted is guided by its vision of a world that runs entirely on green energy. Headquartered in Denmark, Ørsted employs approximately 8,000 people. Ørsted's shares are listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen (Orsted). In 2024, the group's operating profit excluding new partnerships and cancellation fees was DKK 24.8 billion (EUR 3.3 billion). Visit orsted.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.