ODSHERRED: There are serious financial problems in a district heating project at Odsherred Forsyning, where approx. 2,500 properties in southern Odsherred must be converted from natural gas to district heating, the company states.
This now leads to a lawyer's investigation having to uncover the former finance director's actions in the case and assess a potential liability for damages. At the same time, the board has decided to file a police report in one of the matters related to the expulsion of the former finance director.
The finance director was initially fired in January. Shortly afterwards, it was changed to expulsion on the grounds that he had violated the company's internal guidelines.
A subsequent review of the finances of the district heating projects now shows that there are serious mistakes in the calculations by the former finance director, who in December 2022-July 2023 was also acting CEO .director of the company.
- There are many indications that the board has not been presented with the real financial basis of the project. Our decisions are made based on a brilliant image, says board chairman Mathias Hansen.
He states that the rates will rise further, and adds:
- It is too early to say whether this will have an impact on the further expansion of the district heating network.
From 950 million to 1.6 billion DKK
The construction costs were estimated at DKK 950 million at the start of the project. In November 2023, they had increased by DKK 3-400 million. DKK, which was one of the reasons why the utility company expected to raise the rates for district heating by approx. seven percent applicable from 2026.
Now the construction costs are being adjusted up by an additional DKK 200 million. DKK to 1.6 billion DKK.
In light of the new information, Odsherred Forsyning will investigate the possibilities of putting ongoing construction projects, including summer house sewerage and the company's new facilities in Vig, on standby to make it possible to complete the district heating project.
Odsherred Forsyning operates five heating plants in the northern and central part of the area, and a further three heating plants are under construction in southern Odsherred in connection with the roll-out of district heating.
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