Released February 17, 2021 | GALWAY, IRELAND
en
Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--Denmark's government has given the green light for the construction of the country's first "energy island," which will be located 80 kilometres from shore in the North Sea.
The artificial island will initially measure 120,000 square metres - roughly 18 football pitches - and will be home to up to 200 giant wind turbines that will be capable of producing enough renewable energy to power 3 million homes. If successful, the full implementation will see the island triple in size and be capable of powering up to 10 million homes in Denmark and neighbouring countries. The plans also include the use of electrolysis to extract hydrogen from water for use in the production of renewable fuels for sectors including maritime transport. The first phase will cost an estimated 28 billion euro ($34 billion) and will be the largest construction project in the country's history. The government expects to work with private investors but will control a majority stake in the project. The project is expected to kick-off in 2026.
"This is truly a great moment for Denmark and for the global green transition," said Danish Minister for Climate Dan Jørgensen. "This decision marks the start of a new era of sustainable energy production in Denmark and the world and it links very ambitious climate goals with growth and green jobs. The energy hub in the North Sea will be the largest construction project in Danish history. It will make a big contribution to the realisation of the enormous potential for European offshore wind, and I am excited for our future collaboration with other European countries."
Denmark has aggressive green energy plans for the coming decades and last year announced that it was stopping all new oil and gas exploration in the North Sea. Under its Climate Act, it has committed to reducing its 1990 levels of greenhouse gas emissions by 70% by 2030. It also wants to be carbon neutral by 2050.
He added: "Last year, Denmark set a cutoff date for fossil fuel extraction. Today we are taking a decisive step toward a clean energy future. The EU has set a goal to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 and the Commission has set a target of 300 gigawatts (GW) offshore wind energy in order to attain this goal. By constructing the world's first energy hub with a potential capacity of 10 GW, Denmark significantly contributes to this ambitious target. Not only by dramatically expanding renewable energy production, but also by supplying our European neighbors with an abundance of renewable energy."
Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, six offices in North America and 12 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Our European headquarters are located in Galway, Ireland. Follow IIR Europe on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn For more information on our European coverage send inquiries to info@industrialinfo.eu or visit us online at Industrial Info Europe.
The artificial island will initially measure 120,000 square metres - roughly 18 football pitches - and will be home to up to 200 giant wind turbines that will be capable of producing enough renewable energy to power 3 million homes. If successful, the full implementation will see the island triple in size and be capable of powering up to 10 million homes in Denmark and neighbouring countries. The plans also include the use of electrolysis to extract hydrogen from water for use in the production of renewable fuels for sectors including maritime transport. The first phase will cost an estimated 28 billion euro ($34 billion) and will be the largest construction project in the country's history. The government expects to work with private investors but will control a majority stake in the project. The project is expected to kick-off in 2026.
"This is truly a great moment for Denmark and for the global green transition," said Danish Minister for Climate Dan Jørgensen. "This decision marks the start of a new era of sustainable energy production in Denmark and the world and it links very ambitious climate goals with growth and green jobs. The energy hub in the North Sea will be the largest construction project in Danish history. It will make a big contribution to the realisation of the enormous potential for European offshore wind, and I am excited for our future collaboration with other European countries."
Denmark has aggressive green energy plans for the coming decades and last year announced that it was stopping all new oil and gas exploration in the North Sea. Under its Climate Act, it has committed to reducing its 1990 levels of greenhouse gas emissions by 70% by 2030. It also wants to be carbon neutral by 2050.
He added: "Last year, Denmark set a cutoff date for fossil fuel extraction. Today we are taking a decisive step toward a clean energy future. The EU has set a goal to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 and the Commission has set a target of 300 gigawatts (GW) offshore wind energy in order to attain this goal. By constructing the world's first energy hub with a potential capacity of 10 GW, Denmark significantly contributes to this ambitious target. Not only by dramatically expanding renewable energy production, but also by supplying our European neighbors with an abundance of renewable energy."
Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, six offices in North America and 12 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Our European headquarters are located in Galway, Ireland. Follow IIR Europe on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn For more information on our European coverage send inquiries to info@industrialinfo.eu or visit us online at Industrial Info Europe.
