Denmark Maps Out 12.4GW Offshore Wind Zone

A recent survey has identified locations for future wind farms in waters off Denmark which could support the development of 12.4GW of offshore wind capacity, according to Denmark’s Energy, Utilities and Climate Minister Lars Christian Lilleholt.

Overall, the survey has identified a suitable offshore wind area which could potentially accommodate a minimum of 40GW of offshore wind capacity. From this, 12.4GW have been designated to be developed, which corresponds to 12-15 wind farms, depending on the size.

If fully built out, the new capacity could deliver more electricity than it is currently used in Denmark, according to the survey.

“Denmark is already great at offshore wind, and the survey shows that we have the potential for much more. We have such good conditions for offshore wind that we can contribute significantly to cover the need for green electricity – not just in Denmark, but also in many other countries ,” Lilleholt said.

The mapping of the offshore wind potential in Danish waters is a central preparatory work for the so-called offshore wind analysis which, among other things, must set models for how revenue can be generated for the state as a result of the wind resource being utilized when offshore wind no longer needs support.

“The North Sea must be developed into a global leading area for offshore wind, where we do not support the turbines. With the new plan, we are ready to quickly assign new placements when the development in offshore wind really takes off ,” Lilleholt said.

Plans for the large-scale screening of Danish waters in order to find suitable locations for future offshore wind farms were set out in the country’s last year’s energy agreement.

The new energy agreement also included the development of three new offshore wind projects with a total capacity of at least 2.4GW by 2030.

Denmark has several offshore wind farms in operation, approved, or under construction, including the 406.7MW Horns Rev 3, the 605MW Kriegers Flak, and the Vesterhav Syd and Vesterhav Nord nearshore wind farms.

NOTE: The original article was edited on Friday 26 April, at 11:28 CET.