ENERGY ISLANDS IN DENMARK
Denmark is establishing the world’s first energy islands, marking the beginning of a new era for large-scale offshore wind power. The two energy islands are to be completed in 2030, and will be able to supply 6 GW of power.
This is enough to meet the average electricity consumption of 6 million households.
ACCELERATED EXPANSION OF OFFSHORE WIND POWER
In June 2020, the Danish Folketing decided to begin preparations for the construction of 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 2030, 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: Depending on the local conditions, an artificial energy island far out to sea could be constructed as a sand island, steel platforms, or a large concrete container that is lowered into place and filled with stone material.
However, the energy island in the Baltic Sea will make use of the existing island of Bornholm as the site for the power hub.
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.
Contact
-
- Hanne Storm Edlefsen
- HSE@energinet.dk
- +4523338550
-
- Jørgen Krarup
- JKP@energinet.dk
- +4523418734
VALUE FOR THE GREEN TRANSITION
Electrification: Green power from the two energy islands can meet increasing electricity consumption in a climate-friendly Denmark, with more heat pumps, electric vehicles and the like than today.
European transition: Green power from the two energy islands can be exported to neighbouring countries, contributing to the European transition.
Hydrogen and green fuels: Surplus green power from the two energy islands can be converted into hydrogen and climate-neutral fuels, which can be used in planes, ships and heavy industry (power-to-X).
READ MORE
Energinet’s work with the two energy islands is based on political decisions in the Danish Folketing, see:
- Climate Agreement for Energy and Industry, June 2020 (in Danish)
- The Danish Government’s fact sheet on energy islands, May 2020 (in Danish)
Read more about energy islands in the North Sea here:
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.
TWO ENERGY ISLANDS
In June 2020, the Danish Folketing decided to begin preparations for the construction of two energy islands in Denmark – in the North Sea and in the Baltic Sea.
PODCAST
Energy islands explained in 15 minutes. Hanne Storm Edlefsen explains the essence of the energy islands, the idea behind them, and their potential for the European transition.
Hanne Storm Edlefsen, Head of Division, Energinet Elsystemansvar