The Danish Energy Board of Appeal has revoked the establishment permit for HOFOR’s Aflandshage offshore wind farm awarded by the country’s energy agency last year.
HOFOR, the developer of the Aflandshage offshore wind project, said that a changed practice by the authorities regarding the counting of bats, among other things, was what triggered the rejection by the appeals board.
“We otherwise had a good, ongoing dialogue about the environmental impact assessment with the authorities, including about bats,” said Jesper Pedersen, area manager for wind and energy trading at HOFOR.
The company had several contracts already in place for the development of the project and since the permit is no more, it is unclear what will happen to them.
Namely, HOFOR hired Siemens Gamesea for the delivery of 26 turbines of 11 MW capacity as well as servicing them during the first 15 years. This many turbines meant that the offshore wind farm could supply power to 300,000 households per year.
It was announced at the same time that Siemens Gamesea hired BW Group-backed offshore wind construction player Cadeler to transport and install the Aflandshage turbines.
According to the deal between the two, the work will be done utilising one of Cadeler’s O-class vessels, Wind Orca or Wind Osprey, on a day rate of above €375,000 ($411,645). In case the permit was in place and all other factors went according to plan, the installation was scheduled to begin in 2026.
HOFOR is now evaluating the Energy Complaints Board’s announcement to understand the consequences of the decision and what it means for the project.
“We will now engage in dialogue with the authorities, our advisers and suppliers about the next step,” Pedersen added.
HOFOR is not giving up on the project and stated that the dialogue with the authorities now must clarify the need for supplementary studies that can ensure the implementation of the project.
