The long-running Samso offshore wind farm in Denmark has been given the go-ahead to extend its operational life for another 10 years.
The Danish Energy Agency has approved the extension of the electricity production licence for another decade at the wind farm, which has been in operation for almost 25 years.
This is the first time in Denmark that an older offshore wind farm has had its lifespan extended. At the same time, the Danish Energy Agency has made a decision on the use of the EU’s emergency regulation, so that the permit process will be shortened.
When the Samso offshore wind farm was established in 2002, the electricity production licence was limited to 25 years. After this, the wind turbines would have to be removed, unless the plant owner, Wind Estate, applied for an extension of the permit.
Wind Estate has done this and its application was approved, meaning the offshore wind farm can now continue to produce electricity until 2037.
The 10-turbine park with a total capacity of 23MW can produce electricity equivalent to the energy consumption of 20,000 to 25,000 households.
Deputy director general of the Danish Energy Agency Stig Uffe Pedersen said: “With this decision, Samso Offshore Wind Farm can continue to produce green power rather than being dismantled and decommissioned.
“This is gratifying for the green transition and sustainable from a resource point of view, as long as the plant can continue its operation in a responsible manner.
“This is the first time that the Danish Energy Agency has decided whether an existing offshore wind farm can have its electricity production licence extended, and it provides perspectives for similar offshore wind projects in Denmark.
“There are several older offshore wind farms around Denmark that are also approaching their expiry date. In the near future, the Danish Energy Agency will assess whether these wind farms can also continue to operate safely.”
For the Danish Energy Agency’s decision, Wind Estate provided an impartial analysis of the wind farm’s remaining lifetime. In addition, the plant owner must carry out an extended service inspection annually.
The Danish Energy Agency is currently processing applications for the extension of the electricity production licence for the Middelgrunden, Ronland, Nysted, and Horns Rev 1 offshore wind farms.
Meanwhile, the agency has made a decision on the application of the EU’s emergency regulation to shorten the permit process. According to Article 6 of the Emergency Regulation, projects may be exempted from species protection assessments.
The authority must ensure that, on the basis of existing data, appropriate and proportionate mitigation measures are applied to ensure compliance with the species protection in the EU Nature Directives.
The permit stipulates, among other things, conditions for the handling of bats that could potentially be affected by offshore wind turbines.
The Danish Energy Agency has required the wind turbines to stop or rotate slowly after sunset, when the wind blows below 6 m/s, during the period from 1 April to 31 October.