Green Power Denmark :
Delighted with hydrogen pipes and gives the government a year to plan for transition to green electricity

It was big news that Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities Lars Aagaard (M) presented at a press conference on Friday. Here, Energiø Bornholm was put on hold until after the German election, the current offshore wind tenders were put on hold, and state support for both offshore wind and the establishment of hydrogen infrastructure for Germany was announced.

Green Power Denmark is pleased that the government is lowering the booking requirement to 500 MW for the first part of the hydrogen pipeline between Germany and Esbjerg. The pipeline will only be built when there is certainty that companies will utilize this capacity.

- In our opinion, the government has now struck the right balance. With the lower booking requirement, a single company will be able to assume the entire obligation. I would like to commend the government for listening and acting after our meetings, says Kristian Jensen, CEO of Green Power Denmark, in a press release.

The government is also giving Energinet the opportunity to start work earlier. This increases the likelihood that the hydrogen pipeline will be ready by 2030 at the latest.

I want to emphasize very clearly that the hydrogen pipeline must be ready by 2030. Politicians must clear the way, and Energinet must do everything possible to avoid delays.

Anxious about delayed tenders – gives the government a year

However, it was not only good news for the green energy industry that the minister presented. The current offshore wind tenders, which had a bid deadline in the spring, were postponed, which annoys Green Power Denmark, although the organization calls it a natural consequence of the fact that no one bid for the three areas in the North Sea before Christmas.

- The conditions in the inland waters are the same as in the North Sea, but the locations are worse. So there is no prospect of any bids. Therefore, it is good that the government is canceling the tender in the inland waters so that we can move forward and restart the expansion of offshore wind turbines, says Kristian Jensen, CEO of Green Power Denmark.

Later this spring, the government will present a model for how we will get more wind turbines in the seas around Denmark. However, a new tender will not be completed before 2026.

- It is a long delay, but it is absolutely crucial that the government gets it right this time. Fortunately, there is a good dialogue underway with the players, says Kristian Jensen.

According to Green Power Denmark, the government is now busy solving the fundamental challenge in Denmark's green transition - that electrification of our society is going too slowly.

- A more far-reaching plan is needed. The government now has one year to turbocharge the electrification of Denmark. Fossil fuels must be phased out of industrial production wherever possible. Households must get rid of their natural gas boilers and switch to district heating or a heat pump. And then we must continue the green conversion of cars and trucks, which is currently showing positive trends, says Kristian Jensen.

The government has also postponed the plans for Energiø Bornholm. This is sensible in the current situation, says Kristian Jensen.

- Many of us are waiting for clarification on Energiø Bornholm, but I understand the government's decision. It is clear that when such an important partner in the project as Germany is in an election campaign and cannot make the necessary decisions before the election is over, we must arm ourselves with patience, he says.