Denmark maps offshore wind potential

A new, comprehensive mapping of Denmark’s marine areas is intended to make it easier and faster to plan the offshore wind farms of the future. The screening, which is the first of its kind in the world, provides detailed insight into seabed conditions, environmental factors, wildlife, fisheries and military interests.

The study has been carried out by the Danish Energy Agency in cooperation with GEUS, DTU, Aarhus University, DCE and NIRAS. The results show, among other things, that Danish sea areas in the North Sea are particularly well suited for offshore wind, as there are fewer conflicts of interest there compared with other areas.

The screening is intended to support both national and international ambitions for the expansion of offshore wind, including the target of at least 300 GW of offshore wind in the North Sea by 2050, as set out in the Esbjerg and Ostend Declarations and at the most recent North Sea Summit in Hamburg.

Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities Lars Aagaard states:
“Europe needs more green energy to secure our European future. Both for the sake of Europe’s energy independence, security of supply and our course towards climate neutrality. That is why it is important that we plan smartly and remove obstacles to offshore wind. Because if we are to continue expanding offshore wind in Denmark, we must do so thoughtfully, and the mapping contributes to a better basis for future political decisions.”

With the screening as a planning tool, it becomes possible to identify the areas with the fewest environmental and interest-related conflicts. This gives decision-makers better conditions for assessing the need for mitigation measures and avoiding delays in project development. The mapping was initiated with the Finance Act for 2022.

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