Harnessing the Winds of Change in CEE: Exploring the experience of Denmark’s Offshore Wind Energy Industry
Denmark has positioned itself as a global leader in the transition to renewable energy, offering valuable lessons for other countries seeking to achieve energy security and sustainability. As part of the BLUECEE project, a delegation of experts participated in a study visit in April 2024 to explore the experience of advanced offshore wind markets and establish new partnerships.
Experts from CSD, EPG, FSB and Instrat were joined by Delian Dobrev, the Chairman of the Energy Committee to the National Assembly of Bulgaria , Emil Kaikamdjozov, the Executive Director of Bon Marine Holding Bulgaria and member of the Bulgarian Marine Chamber, Andriy Konechenkov, Chairman of the Ukrainian Wind Energy Association, Liviu Gavrila, Vice-president of the Romanian Wind Energy Association – RWEA and Marta Sturzeanu, Policy officer at the Romanian Wind Energy Association – RWEA, as well as Ana Miljanović Rusan, Manager – Offshore Energy and Nature at Renewables Grid Initiative.
The delegation met with a wide range of offshore wind industry stakeholders, including Energinet, the Danish Energy Agency, CEOs of Odense and Esbjerg ports, and State of Green, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Esbjerg Port, Odense Port, the Danish Fishermen Organisation, and Energinet – the Danish Transmission System Operator (TSO).
The study visit facilitated the transfer of innovative technologies, highlighted new investment opportunities and promoted the adoption of best practices in regulatory and environmental conservation aspects of offshore wind in the CEE region. The study visits also paved the way for future, mutually beneficial partnerships with Danish companies and authorities on offshore wind and innovation in the Black Sea. Below are some key highlights and lessons learned from Denmark’s offshore wind energy landscape.
National energy priorities
Wind energy has been a critical part of Denmark’s strategy since the 1970s, initially motivated by the oil crises. Today, the country is gradually phasing out coal, with wind energy playing a pivotal role. The government’s focus on wind farms—both onshore and offshore—has transformed Denmark into one of the world’s leaders in wind energy production. Denmark remains committed to renewables, particularly wind energy, as part of its long-term energy strategy. One of Denmark’s most notable achievements is maintaining a 99% security of energy supply, meaning residents experience power outages for only 20 minutes per year. This illustrates that it is possible to rely heavily on renewables without compromising energy stability.
Offshore Wind Development
Denmark is scaling up its offshore wind capacity with new tenders designed to facilitate overplanting, allowing more than 9 GW of energy to be produced in designated offshore zones. The Danish government aims to become a net exporter of green energy, with interconnectors to the UK, Norway, Sweden, and Germany. Participants discussed similarities with the energy demand for Bulgaria, Romania and Denmark, and ways to effectively manage the system in the longer term. In addition, participants discussed the regulation and practices for inclusive stakeholder engagement in offshore wind, and how these can be adapted to the Black Sea region.
Critical Infrastructure Expansion
As offshore components become ever larger and can only be transported by water, the wind industry has naturally moved closer to the ports. The delegation met with high-level representatives from Odense and Esbjerg ports to learn more about their historical development and innovative approaches. As adequate port infrastructure development is essential for the Black Sea region, participants discussed the potential readaptation of existing port infrastructure in Bulgaria and Romania, managing supply chains with limited port capacity for production and installation. The meetings featured an informative tour around the port facilities, including construction and installation sites.
Both ports have experienced long transformation and development. For many years, the Port of Esbjerg was used for fishing, and in 1970, it was the largest fishing port in Denmark and home port to about 600 fishing boats. Now, more than 4/5 of the current amount of offshore wind capacity installed in Europe was shipped out from the Port of Esbjerg. Odense Port on the other hand, is Odense Port is Denmark’s largest port, with 8.5 million square metres of necessary space for offshore wind production in Europe. The ports are continuously being transformed to ensure high technological offshore wind energy development, production, and testing.
Local Involvement and Stakeholder Engagement
Local municipalities play a crucial role in Denmark’s renewable energy efforts. While they do not have a special process for participating in wind farm auctions, they can join as part of a consortium. Offshore wind farms, in particular, offer significant job opportunities for smaller communities, particularly through the development of local harbours. To manage opposition, particularly from local municipalities and the fishing industry, Denmark has developed compensation schemes. According to Danish legislation, Fishermen are compensated for lost territories, and public hearings are held to engage and inform citizens about upcoming projects. Public acceptance of wind energy is generally high, especially for offshore installations that do not visually impact daily life. It is important to note that environmental considerations are addressed way in advance at the beginning of the offshore wind planning stages, though extensive research and mitigation measures for affected industries.
The study visit to Denmark offered an exceptional opportunity to gain insights into the technical, regulatory, and social aspects of Denmark’s green transition, exploring how the country balances economic growth with environmental responsibility. Denmark’s forward-thinking approach, particularly its focus on offshore wind and cross-border energy collaboration, can serve as a blueprint for the Black Sea Region toward its path to build a sustainable and resilient energy system.
The study visit delegation at Odense Port.
