Feasibility Study for 160 MW Danish Offshore Wind Farm Gets Green Light

February 13, 2024, by Adnan Memija

The Danish Energy Agency (DEA) has approved the feasibility study report for the Lillebælt Syd (Lillebælt South) offshore wind farm, a 160 MW project being developed by European Energy and SONFOR (formerly Sønderborg Forsyning).

On 7 February, the DEA approved the feasibility study report for the 160 MW nearshore wind farm, which consists of an environmental impact report.

This approval does not give the project developer the right to build the offshore wind farm, but it does give the companies the opportunity to proceed to the next steps in the application process, including applying for a permit to build the project, DEA said.

The Danish Energy Agency will take a final decision on whether an establishment permit can be granted for the project once public consultation on the application for the permit has been carried out based on the now-approved environmental impact report, according to the agency.

If the developer chooses to apply, the application for a construction permit, the approved environmental impact report, a draft of the DEA’s construction decision, and the consultation memorandum from the regulatory hearing of the report must be submitted for an eight-week public hearing, said DEA.

The consultation is expected to start at the end of February.

Lillebælt South is an offshore wind project located approximately four kilometres northeast of Als and six kilometres from Helnæs.

The project is expected to comprise between 10 and 23 wind turbines, with a total capacity of 160 MW.

The offshore wind farm is planned to be completed in 2028 when it will provide enough renewable electricity to power up to 140,000 Danish households, said the developers.

On 22 January, SONFOR and European Energy signed an agreement with TotalEnergies to purchase 72 per cent of the shares in the project company Lillebælt Vind A/S. The deal must obtain various approvals from the authorities before the ownership formally takes effect and is completed, which is expected to happen during the third quarter of 2024.