Denmark kicks off its biggest offshore wind tender

Denmark on Monday launched its biggest offshore wind tender to date, offering no subsidies to developers competing for the right to build wind farms on sites with a combined capacity of up to 10 GW.

Six sites will be made available, making it possible to construct at least 6 GW in areas North Sea I, the Kattegat, Kriegers Flak II and Hesselø by 2030. The winning projects will be allowed to put up as many turbines as possible, allowing the capacity to go to 10 GW or even more, the country’s energy and climate ministry said.

“This can potentially mean green electricity corresponding to the consumption of more than 10 million Danish and European households, although the green electricity could also be used for hydrogen or other power-to-x products to replace fossil fuels.”

To participate in the bids, developers will have to provide the Danish government with an annual concession payment spread over a 30-year term in exchange for the right to exploit the seabed. In addition, the Danish state will also share a 20% minority ownership in each of the offshore wind projects that are tendered.

“This is a massive investment in the green transition,” said Kristoffer Böttzauw, director general at the Danish Energy Agency.

Denmark today has a total installed capacity of 2.7 GW offshore wind power, and the Thor offshore wind farm currently under construction in the North Sea will supply a further 1 GW when it is scheduled for completion in 2027. 

“Finally, we are able to publish the biggest offshore wind tender in Danish history. With hundreds of wind turbines, we are insuring ourselves against Putin’s black gas, and as of today Denmark is one large step closer to becoming Europe’s green power house. When the wind turbines are operating, we can cover all of Denmark’s power consumption with green electricity – and we can produce hydrogen and green fuels for ships and planes. It is projects of this scale that can make a big, green difference for the climate and our security. Not just for Denmark, but for all of Europe,” Climate and Energy Minister Lars Aagaard said.