The Danish government is seeking possible locations for one or more energy islands that could support at least 10GW of offshore wind.
Denmark’s energy ministry said an initial Dkr65m (€8.7m) has been allocated for preliminary studies, but the project could ultimately cost between Dkr200bn and Dkr300bn.
The vast majority of the investment would come from the private sector, with the government helping to finance related technologies, the ministry said.
It added that the first step will be to identify potential sites for the energy islands in the Kattegat, Baltic and North Seas.
Energy islands could be a physical location or an artificial platform that acts as a hub for electricity generation from surrounding offshore wind farms that are connected and distributed between North Sea countries.
Other electrical equipment, such as storage, electrolysis for green hydrogen or other electrical conversion technologies, could also be part of the island, the ministry said.
It added that the preliminary studies must confirm that it is practically possible to establish one or more energy islands in terms of the impact on nature and environment, as well as practical planning.
Other studies will then be carried out, covering areas such as finance and technical aspects, while initial dialogue on potential on cooperation with relevant North Sea countries will also take place.
Danish energy minister Dan Jorgensen said: “It’s a huge project. We need to build more than five times as much capacity as we have today. We need to have a sensible and ambitious plan for the development.”
He added: “If we really want to realise the enormous potential of offshore wind, we must develop the technologies of the future to convert the green power into fuels for aircraft, ships and industry.”
Last month, Danish energy company Orsted said it was planning to establish the island of Bornholm as the country’s first offshore wind cluster to deliver up to 5GW.