Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) has put together a contractor group for its bid to build an energy island for connecting up to 10GW of offshore wind, off Denmark.
The developer has signed a partnership agreement with Acciona, DEME Group, Boskalis and MT Hojgaard International to develop the energy island in the Danish North Sea.
The contractors have formed the Njord Group, which will be advised by engineering consultancy NIRAS.
CIP acts as project developer on behalf of an investor consortium composed of PensionDanmark and PFA, two of Denmark’s largest pension funds, and Denmark’s largest utility company, Andel, collectively known as the VindO consortium.
The CIP-led VindO consortium intends to bid in the Danish Energy Agency’s upcoming tender energy island tender, which is expected to be launched by the third quarter of 2022.
The energy island in the North Sea will be located approximately 80-100 kilometres off the Danish west coast and will be able to connect 10GW of offshore wind to Denmark and other neighbouring markets.
It will host an innovation zone with potential for large-scale energy storage and power-to-x technologies, and provide accommodation and operation and maintenance services from onsite harbour facilities.
“Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners has thoroughly screened the most experienced experts and the world’s best-suited contract partners for the Energy Island project. We are confident that the Njord Group offers the experience and capabilities needed for a successful project execution in a safe and reliable manner, even in a harsh marine environment far offshore in the Danish North Sea,” said CIP partner Thomas Dalsgaard.
“We are focused on ensuring smooth project execution from the detailed planning phase to the point of project finalisation and full operation”, said Morten Hansen, group CEO of MT Hojgaard Holding, speaking on behalf of the entire group of chosen contractors.
“Our extensive maritime construction experience, alongside the great capacity and local experience of our partners in the NJORD Group, has resulted in a consortium with a great potential that wishes to contribute to the successful execution of this ambitious project in Denmark”, said Huberto Moreno, construction CEO of Acciona.
Peter Berdowski, CEO of Royal Boskalis Westminster, said: “Boskalis is a logical contractor for the development of this innovative energy island in the Danish section of the North Sea.
“We look forward to taking the development of renewables further offshore to create a sustainable new horizon for millions of European households.”
Luc Vandenbulcke, CEO of DEME Group, added: “We understand the complexity of renewable energy generation and storage on an artificial, multifunctional island at sea, and can rely on a track record of on-time delivery in the harshest marine weather conditions.
“We are looking forward to making a significant contribution to help advance solving Denmark’s energy transition challenge.”