ACCELERATED EXPANSION OF OFFSHORE WIND POWER
The Danish Folketing has decided to contruct two energy islands in Denmark – in the North Sea and in the Baltic Sea. The energy island on Bornholm will have a capacity of 3 GW, while the one in the North Sea will have a capacity of 3 GW in 2033, and 10 GW in the longer term.
One island – several connections: Energy islands can pool the power from multiple offshore wind farms and feed this directly to several countries. This represents a change from the previous philosophy of building isolated offshore wind farms with a power connection to one country only.
Various construction alternatives: An artificial energy island will be constructed far out in the North Sea and the energy island in the Baltic Sea will make use of the existing island of Bornholm as the site for the power hub.
Read Energinet’s business case for Bornholm Energy Island’s electricity infrastructure here
What is the North Sea Wind Power Hub? Since 2017, Energinet and the North Sea Wind Power Hub international consortium have been investigating and developing the idea of energy islands, to the point that these are now a realistic model for the accelerated and increased expansion of offshore wind power in the North Sea.
Get a detailed description of energy islands as a concept and technology.
ENERGINET’S ROLE
Preliminary studies: Energinet is responsible for carrying out the preparatory environmental studies and seabed surveys.
International connections: Energinet is responsible for developing and operating international connections, including any possible future links via the two energy islands.
System operation: Energinet is responsible for ensuring that renewable energy from the energy islands is connected to and integrated with the onshore energy system.
Energy islands - green energy to more countries
Until now, each country in Europe has developed offshore wind separately. With the energy islands, things are changing. But it takes more than a few days to build an electricity connection between two countries and an energy island. In the video, Energinet's Hanne Storm Edlefsen reveals the good reasons why it takes some time.