In 1993, the total waste incineration capacity was 2,329,000 tonnes, distributed on 31 plants. In the beginning of the nineties, an extensive conversion of waste incineration plants from heat generation to power and heating generation has taken place. In connection with this conversion, capacity adjustments have been effected in relation to expected quantities of waste for incineration in future. As a result of the ban as per 1^st January 1997 on landfilling of waste suitable for incineration a further pressure on incineration capacity is expected. A constant survey of quantities of non-recyclable waste suitable for incineration will take place with a view to assuring the necessary capacity of incineration.

Source: Rambøll & Hannemann 1990: Analysis of data for energy plants based on waste, for the Environmental Protection Agency and the Energy Agency, Oct. 1990; The Environmental Protection Agency and the Energy Agency 1994: Waste resources for incineration 1993 and 2000. CPH = Combined Power Heating 1) Calculation on the basis of nominal capacity at 7,000 hours of operation/year. (2) District heating capacity may be subject to restrictions in accordance with the act on heat supply.

The total remaining capacity at landfills in 1994 amounted to 24.7m tonnes distributed on 64 landfills. The remaining capacity at landfills for inert waste in 1994 was 6.4m tonnes distributed on 49 sites. The remaining capacity at separately located landfills for special waste amounted to 6.2m tonnes in 1994, distributed on 63 sites.

A landfill is a site for waste which immediately or with time presents a risk for pollution of ground water, surface water and/or air. A landfill for inert waste is a site for waste which does not present or only to a very limited extent presents a risk for pollution of ground water, surface water and/or air. A landfill for special waste is a site for one or a limited range of waste types with a known composition.

As a consequence of the above-mentioned ban on the landfilling of waste suitable for incineration in combination with an increased and further differentiated waste tax, a steeply descreasing need for landfill capacity is expected. Thus, at the national level, it is not expected to meet a need for a large extension of landfill capacity in future.

Source: Environmental Protection Agency: Working Report No. 54, Landfill capacity 1992; Environmental Protection Agency 1997: Working Report No. 33, Landfill sites in Denmark and own calculations.