Denmark Toughens Up on Open-Door OW Applications

The Danish Energy Agency (DEA) today informed all the applicants for the so-called open-door offshore wind projects that from 12 February new progress requirements will be put forward for both existing and new applications.

Image: danishflag.facts (Illustration)

Danish Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Climate has decided it is necessary to define progress requirements for open-door projects for offshore wind farms, which would ensure greater progress of the projects.

The DEA currently has 26 open-door applications, with most of them in a very early stage of the application process.

The requirements include the following four points:

  • Shorter deadlines for receiving information needed in the application process before the permit for a feasibility study. Applicants will get four weeks to submit supplemental material to the application.
  • Upon receiving the feasibility study permit, a feasibility study report will be completed within one year.
  • If the feasibility study report is approved, an applicant has 3 months to indicate whether they decided to build a project at the requested location.
  • An application for a construction permit must be submitted within 6 months after the approval of the feasibility study report.

The deadlines may be extended if special circumstances apply.

These stricter progress requirements will minimize long-term area reservations and reduce the uncertainty about whether there will be an offshore wind farm in a certain area. At the same time, project developers can be given a rapid clarification on whether a project can be realized.

With the requirements in place, the projects will be limited to those where a developer has real intentions to build an offshore wind farm within a defined time-frame. If project developers want to maintain their application, they must ensure that the project is progressing as planned at all stages, according to the DEA.

The Danish Energy Agency said it will contact all applicants in the coming period, in order to clarify the further process for their particular application.