588 km² in area, the island is the easternmost in Denmark and is home to 43040 inhabitants.
More than 50% of the island's average electricity needs are met by plants from renewable sources, with 40% given by wind power alone. The island is equipped with one of the most advanced systems smart grid built in four years thanks to co-financing for a European project called EcoGridEU who received the European Award for Energy Sustainability in 2016 for technological innovation and the ability to raise awareness and create awareness by the community; and was among the finalists of the 2017 EU Sustainability Week Award. The network is owned by the municipality, and involves 2000 users who today pay for electricity at a price that is always lower than that charged by the distributor on the mainland.
30 MW of wind energy, 1,5 MW of solar energy and 16 MW of thermal energy are produced, thanks to biomass cogeneration plants (wood chips coming from forest maintenance waste and agricultural straw). There is also a district heating network that covers thermal demand, together with solar collectors and domestic heat pumps.
The island is preparing to be carbon neutral by 2025 as part of the sustainability strategy "Bright Green Island".