Sønderborg Forsyning to Collaborate with European Energy on 160MW Offshore Wind Farm

The Lillebælt Syd offshore wind farm will be constructed with a host of partners providing technical services; feasibility studies were conducted in 2018 but require an update since offshore wind technology has rapidly developed since

A view of turbines on Danish waters. Credit: COWI website

A view of turbines on Danish waters. Credit: COWI website

Sønderborg Forsyning, a Danish utility company has entered into a collaboration with European Energy to build an offshore wind farm between the Danish islands of Als and Funen (Fyn). The project is being called the Lillebælt Syd (Little Belt South) nearshore wind farm and will have a capacity of 160MW. The nearest turbines to land will be installed 4 kilometres off the coast. The Little Belt South offshore wind farm will cost the project partners DKK 1.6 billion, which amounts to close to €215 million. European Energy is expected to confirm its commitment to the collaboration by the end of this year.

The project requires fresh approvals from the Danish Energy Agency. The Agency is expected to conduct updated environmental impact assessment soon. Once the assessment is considered to be favourable, the project will be granted permits to begin construction and operations. A feasibility study was conducted by Sønderborg Forsyning in 2018. However, the scenario at the time was for 40 wind turbines of 4MW capacity, or 20 turbines with a capacity of 8MW. As an indication of how rapidly offshore wind technology has evolved, a new feasibility study needs to be conducted because 4MW turbines are now being phased out of the offshore wind market. Sønderborg Forsyning is now exploring options for small, medium and large turbines. In case it decides to go for the largest size of turbines, that would mean having to install only 16 turbines of a capacity of 10MW each.

In addition to Sønderborg Forsyning and European Energy, a number of firms are collaborating on the project with different services. Technical construction consultancy will be provided by Rambøll, power transmission infrastructure consultancy will be provided by COWI. New Power Partners, Lautec Group and Blue Power Partners will focus on development of the wind turbines.

Event Search
Upcoming Events