The Danish Energy Agency (DEA) has started searching for potential alternative areas for an offshore wind farm that could replace the troubled Hesselo development.
DEA said that in parallel with the ongoing analyses of the seabed at the current Hesselo offshore wind farm, it has initiated a fine screening to look at possible alternative locations.
The analysis includes areas registered for the Marine Plan and includes both areas that have previously been fine-screened and new areas.
They include: a scaled-down Hesselo area plus an area south of the current Hesselo site; a scaled-down Hesselo area plus Kattegat 2 to the west of the current Hesselo area; Kriegers Flak 2; a smaller Hesselo area and Kriegers Flak 2 North; and Nordsoen 1 south of the planned Thor offshore wind farm.
DEA said a fine screening is an initial assessment of whether an area is suitable for the establishment of an offshore wind farm, including what the consequences are in relation to, among other things, costs, network work and nature, environment and planning conditions.
The tender for Hesselo was suspended earlier this year after the discovery of soft clay bottoms in the seabed, especially in the northern and western part of the area.