This year, the government will launch a tender for nine gigawatts of offshore wind, which will pave the way for a fivefold increase in Danish offshore wind by 2030. Nine gigawatts corresponds to the electricity consumption of approximately nine million households, and thus Denmark must participate to send green electricity to parts of Europe.
- We have fantastic opportunities for the sea in Denmark, which is why we are now starting the negotiations to expand with nine gigawatts. It is my ambition that we start those negotiations during the month of March, and hopefully we can put it all out for tender this year, says climate minister Lars Aagaard (M).
The nine gigawatts derive, among other things, from a climate agreement from June 2022, which a majority in the Danish Parliament is behind. The minister will examine the possibility of whether the wind turbines can be closer, so that more than the nine GW can be set up. It will be able to increase the amount considerably, is the assessment.
- Our assessment is that you can do that well. That means potentially, if we can create a proper model, and the Danish Parliament is on board, then it would be my expectation that we can also get more than the nine gigawatts, says Lars Aagaard.
Other track than open door arrangement
The construction of offshore wind in Denmark runs in two tracks. Therefore, the tender must be seen in the light of the fact that the second track - the so-called open door scheme - has been put on hold. This is because there is a risk that subsidized offshore wind breaks EU rules on state aid.
The scheme allocates offshore areas to actors without payment if they themselves bear all costs in connection with the offshore wind turbines. But unlike before, offshore wind has now become big business, and therefore some are willing to pay for the offshore areas. Therefore, it is still an unanswered question whether the government wants to take payment for marine areas.
- Well, it is the Danes' money, and I am green, but I am also a merchant on behalf of the Danes, says the minister.
- Right now it's all about getting as many of the projects saved. We will look at whether the scheme in its entirety or an adapted scheme can work, and then we will come back with questions about how it should be set up, including whether a payment model can be created, says Lars Aagaard.
Projects die
Danish Business has warned that the first projects have started to fail. This applies, for example, to a project at Frederikshavn that has been 11 years in the making.
- When you stop something, it risks dying. That's not to sound dramatic, but that's the reality. Therefore, a solution for the open door scheme must be found as soon as possible, says CEO of Dansk Erhverv Brian Mikkelsen in a written comment.
The Council for Green Transition points out that requirements should be set when permits are to be granted to install offshore wind.
- You could make demands in connection with the permits. The consortia can choose for themselves whether they want to join or not, and five out of six would like to. It's just about the government getting started, says director Bjarke Møller.
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