The Danish Energy Agency has granted the company Lillebælt Vind A/S a permit to establish the Lillebælt Syd Wind Farm with the associated internal wiring systems and landfall cables.
The project includes the installation of 11 offshore wind turbines, which will be placed in the Lillebælt between Als and Helnæs on Funen - approx. 3 kilometers off Als. The individual turbines will have a height of 256 meters, and the project will have a total capacity of 165 MW.
- We are very pleased to have finally received the building permit for this important offshore wind farm. It is a milestone for European Energy and positions us as a leading developer of offshore wind in Denmark, says Knud Erik Andersen, CEO of European Energy.
With regard to local support for the project, the research institute Megafon conducted a survey in the municipalities of Sønderborg and Assens, which are close to the Lillebælt Syd project. The results showed great support with 80% support in Sønderborg and 69% in Assens.
- With the establishment permit in hand, we can celebrate the result of 14 years of hard work, cooperation and dialogue with the local community. Lillebælt Syd is an example of how public-private partnerships can take local responsibility and act in relation to climate change. From the beginning, the project has aimed to support the green transition and contribute to Sønderborg Municipality's efforts to become CO2-neutral by 2029, says Ellen Trane Nørby, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sonfor.
Earlier this year, European Energy, Sonfor and the energy company TotalEnergies entered into an agreement that means that TotalEnergies will become the majority owner of the Lillebælt Syd project.
"A much-needed positive news"
Green Power Denmark is also pleased that Lillebælt Syd has now been given the green light. Camilla Holbech, Director of Renewable Energy and PtX at Green Power Denmark, calls it "much-needed positive news for offshore wind in Denmark.
- The planning of the offshore wind farm Lillebælt Syd has been 14 years in the making. Now I hope that European Energy, SONFOR and TotalEnergies, based on today's permit, will be able to drive the project the last crucial stretch to the finish line in 2029, when the first energy should be sent out to, among other things, Danes' electric cars and heat pumps, says Camilla Holbech.
She calls on politicians to follow up on the good news so that support and the necessary framework for offshore wind projects can continue to be ensured.
- If the Lillebælt Syd project is not to become one of the last market-driven offshore wind turbine projects, there is a need for new models for the expansion of offshore wind that also enable market-driven offshore wind turbine projects in the future, says Camilla Holbech, Director of Renewable Energy and PtX at Green Power Denmark.
Special considerations for the marine environment
The establishment permit sets a number of conditions for the marine environment. Among other things, conditions are set for handling bats and porpoises, both of which are affected by offshore wind turbines.
A requirement is made that the wind turbines must stop or rotate slowly after sunset when the wind is below 6 m/s, during the period 1 April to 31 October. The requirement for so-called “cut-in-speed” is set to take the necessary considerations for bats.
As the project area is assessed to be of importance for the population of porpoises in the Belt Sea, a requirement has also been set that the driving of monopiles only takes place during the period from August to October, when there is the lowest occurrence of porpoises in the area, in order to minimize the risk of disturbing porpoises.
The Danish Energy Agency also sets conditions that the developer initiates a monitoring program to provide greater and general knowledge about the impact of offshore wind turbines on the marine environment.
On 7 February 2024, the Danish Energy Agency approved the feasibility study report consisting of an environmental impact report for the Lillebælt Syd Wind Farm. With the approval, the Danish Energy Agency assessed that the feasibility study report meets the requirements for content in the Environmental Assessment Act, and that it cannot be rejected on the basis of the available information that it is relevant to exploit the energy in the area.
On 8 February 2024, Lillebælt Vind A/S applied for an establishment permit. The Danish Energy Agency issues the permit based on the public consultation of the environmental impact report and the consultation responses that the Danish Energy Agency has received based on the public consultation.
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