North Sea Energy Island

More than just an island

Climate change requires new and ambitious solutions – like the world’s first artificial energy island, which will soon be established in the North Sea, approximately 100km off the coast of Denmark. Surrounded by 10 offshore wind farms, the energy island will use the strong North Sea winds to collect and distribute huge amounts of green energy to Denmark, and into Europe. The energy island will play a key role in helping Europe phase out fossil fuels, accelerating the green transformation.

“

We’re at the cutting edge of a pioneering development of the Danish energy system in which we scale renewable energy to a completely new level. The energy island will enable a paradigm shift in the green transformation – with Denmark as a pioneer.

—Rasmus Errboe, EVP & CEO Europe, Ørsted

Supporting both climate and nature – now and in the future

Our vision is to build an island fit for all future possibilities to increase wind power generation, whilst making it possible to integrate new technologies and forms of energy. We’ll build the island according to the best sustainable construction principles combined with due consideration for its natural surroundings.

Our vision

A NETWORK OF GREEN ENERGY

The North Sea Energy Island creates a new and innovative way of collecting and distributing green power. The island serves as the hub in a network consisting of 10 surrounding offshore wind farms and with links to neighbouring countries.

Denmark to build the world’s first energy island

Offshore wind power

The first phase will involve the connection of 3 GW of wind power from wind farms. This is subsequently expected to be extended to a capacity of
10 GW of wind power, equal to the power consumption of approximtately 10 million households.

Investment

Of the total investment of around DKK 210 billion, the energy island is estimated to cost approximately DKK 10 billion. The remaining 95% of the investment will cover costs to build the cable links to land and establish 10 connecting offshore wind farms.

Innovation

The energy island will be prepared with the facilities to accommodate new green energy technologies such as the conversion of the huge volumes of green power into other green fuels for use in aviation and sea transport.

Frequently asked questions

Graph visualising the wind potential in the North Sea

SUPPORT OF CLIMATE TARGETS

The potential to become one of Europe’s largest renewable energy sources

The North Sea has the potential to generate power from approximately 200 offshore wind farms, each of 1 GW. In total, they can cover the power consumption of most households in Europe.

For each new offshore wind farm of 1 GW in Denmark, the carbon footprint can be reduced by 1.9 mil. tonnes of CO2 a year (IEA factor, 2019).

Danish seas - best for wind power

The North Sea is particularly well suited for offshore wind farms becasue the sea depths are low and the wind conditions are exceptionally good.

The North Sea is also the key to a greener Europe that does not depend on coal, oil, or gas. Denmark, with it's highly suitable sea areas and leading industry and research in wind power, is well positioned to drive the green transformation.

To ensure that the build-out in the North Sea is as cost-effective as possible, links must be established between the offshore wind farms and European countries, with the North Sea Energy Island as the hub.

Ørsted has 20 years of experience in installing offshore wind farms in the North Sea

Ørsted - 20 years’ experience in generating offshore wind power in the North Sea

Ørsted has installed approximately 7.5 GW of offshore wind power in the North Sea region covering Denmark, the UK, the Netherlands, and Germany. This is enough to supply green energy to more than 7 million households. Ørsted is constructing a further approximate 2.5 GW of offshore wind power in the UK and German areas of the North Sea.

Partners with solid experience

The world's leading offshore wind energy developer, Ørsted, and Denmark's largest institutional investor, ATP, have formed a consortium to bid for the North Sea Energy Island.

The consortium has partnered with world-leading experts to realise the project.

Partnership

SUSTAINABILITY

The build-out of offshore wind must take place in balance with nature. The North Sea Energy Island seeks to preserve and improve nature and the environment – also known as ‘net-positive impact’.

Our sustainability commitment