Denmark must begin developing the framework for its next generation of offshore wind now to avoid a multi-year gap in development after North Sea South and Energy Island Bornholm.
Green Power Denmark said preparations for upcoming tenders should start immediately, as land-use planning, environmental assessments, international agreements and new procurement models can take several years to put in place. The organisation said the Offshore Wind 2050 Partnership report, “Offshore wind in Denmark towards 2050”, outlines three new development tracks that could make Danish offshore wind more flexible and less dependent on a single procurement model.
According to the report material, Denmark could develop as much as 80GW of offshore wind by 2050.
In the short term, Green Power Denmark is calling for the payment ceiling for North Sea South to be raised to bring it closer to the support ceiling for Hesselø, which drew five bids. It also wants the North Sea South tender brought forward from 2028 to 2027.
The report proposes offshore wind projects on the Danish continental shelf that connect directly to neighbouring countries, supported by frameworks and agreements with the markets receiving the electricity. It also recommends giving developers greater freedom to shape new projects, including projects that can connect to Denmark and/or abroad.
The third track focuses on developing hybrid projects that combine offshore wind with electricity transmission between two or more countries and, eventually, hydrogen production.
“We must dare to think in new ways to enter the next big chapter in the Danish offshore wind saga,” said Green Power Denmark chief executive Kristian Jensen.
“We propose Danish offshore wind farms that can be connected directly to one of our neighbouring countries, and where the recipient country can finance the support.”
“We also need to give proposers more flexibility to design large-scale projects, and we need to continue to mature hybrid projects that connect the energy systems of several countries.”
The Offshore Wind 2050 Partnership includes Green Power Denmark, the Confederation of Danish Industry, the Danish Chamber of Commerce, Insurance & Pension, the Danish Metal Workers’ Association, the Think Tank Hav and Hydrogen Denmark.
Denmark urged to draw up long-term offshore plan
