Orsted and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners have entered into a partnership to develop 5200MW of offshore wind farms in Denmark across four projects.
The 50-50 partnership between the two companies, which is subject to a merger clearance expected before the end of 2022, encompasses the development, construction, and operation of the offshore wind farms as well as the related transmission assets.
Orsted and CIP said that the wind farms will comprise power-to-x projects and will be able to deliver large-scale renewable electricity to the country by 2027/2028.
The projects are the 1.1GW Vikinge Banke, and the 1.1GW Jyske Banke Nord in the North Sea, as well as the 1.5GW Bornholm Bassin Syd and the 1.5GW Bornholm Basin Øst in the Baltic Sea.
In total the projects correspond to more than double Denmark’s current installed offshore wind capacity.
The offshore wind farms will be established without support from Danish taxpayers and they will contribute significantly to growth and job creation in Denmark.
Orsted and CIP said they hope that the projects can be built prior to and in parallel with the projects in the government tenders
Orsted Head of region continental Europe Rasmus Errboe said: “Denmark has been a pioneer in offshore wind and is a front-runner in the green transformation.
“The four major open-door projects can help consolidate Denmark’s continued leadership position and create the foundation to kick-start the next phase of a Danish business adventure around the production of renewable hydrogen and green fuels.
“I’m very excited about the partnership with CIP where we combine our unique skills and knowledge to develop a substantial part of Denmark’s offshore wind resources.”
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners senior partner Torsten Lodberg Smed said: “It’s an obvious and good idea for the most experienced Danish offshore wind developers to join forces to ensure that Denmark’s largest build-out of offshore wind takes place as efficiently as possible and with due respect for the environment and biodiversity in Danish waters.
“We’re proud to present our proposal together with Ørsted for how we can ensure the green energy for Denmark, which has never been more necessary, than during these times.
“If we succeed in completing the projects, we’ll also ensure the renewable electricity needed to give the Danish Power-to-X industry a much-needed boost, and we’re pleased with the support from the Danish pension funds and their members, who prioritise and invest in the green transition.”