The Danish Energy Agency's announcement on Monday that offshore wind turbine projects under the open door scheme have been put on hold will have "very little impact" on Denmark's climate goals if they have to be scrapped. This is according to Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities Lars Aagaard (M).
- Because what is decisive for how much CO2 we send into the atmosphere is how much fossil energy we burn. That means it is more a question of what kind of cars we drive, how we heat our houses, what kind of industry we have, and what kind of agricultural production we have, says Lars Aagaard.
- The serious thing here is not our climate goals, but our long-term ability to produce green energy, which we and Europe need.
However, the tone at the industry organization Green Power Denmark is different. Here, the suspension of a total of 33 applications for offshore wind turbine projects, because the open door scheme may be in conflict with EU law, is called a "huge blow".
- We find ourselves in a situation where we urgently need green electricity for our 2030 climate goals, Power-to-X ambitions and goal of becoming a net exporter of green electricity, says CEO Kristian Jensen in a press release.
Surprised by sudden legal doubt
The open door scheme, where private actors can take the initiative to build offshore wind farms without state support, has existed since 1999. That is why a number of business organizations are surprised that doubts about the scheme are only now arising.
- I am also asking myself that, and I have therefore asked for an explanation of the process from my ministry, agrees Lars Aagaard, he continues:
- The scheme has existed for many years. What has changed, however, is that we have recently seen a huge demand for projects, which is far, far greater than we have seen in previous years. This is, among other things, what leads to the concern about illegal state aid being raised, because there has been such a high demand in the market.
The minister cannot at the moment give any more details on when a clarification is expected. He has raised questions with the EU Commission and the Danish Vice-President of the Commission, Margrethe Vestager. But he believes that "the public has a right to insight into" what has led to Monday's decision from the authorities.
/ritzau/
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