Denmark plans energy islands for 4 GW of offshore wind by 2030

Denmark’s finance ministry presented today a plan for two energy islands in the North Sea and in the Baltic Sea, each connecting 2 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030.

The energy islands concept, already announced by Denmark last year, will make it possible to harvest offshore wind resources far from the coast without huge investments in transmission capacity and grid reinforcements on land. The islands can connect and distribute offshore wind power between the countries in the region, and house storage facilities, electrolisers and other technologies.

The island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea has been selected as one of Denmark’s energy islands. The other one will be an artificial island in the North Sea, which is actually planned to allow the installation of over 10 GW offshore wind in the long term.

The Danish government explains that the electricity harvested at sea will be used directly, but it could also be stored through power-to-X technologies such as hydrogen production. Its plan is to connect the Baltic and North Sea to Poland and the Netherlands, respectively, as well as to the main grid in Denmark.

These energy islands are part of a comprehensive climate action plan devised by the Danish government, which also includes green fuels and carbon capture investments, energy efficiency upgrades, green heat and green waste projects and other activities. Details are expected after the summer holidays.

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