European Energy cancels wind project offshore Denmark

The Danish company European Energy has decided to cease the development of the Omø Syd (Omø South) offshore wind project in Denmark.

European Energy has been developing the Omø South offshore wind project for over ten years and had its environmental impact assessment (EIA) approved in 2020, together with its other project in Denmark, the Jammerland Bay offshore wind farm.

However, on the same day, the company learned from the Danish Government that they plan to designate the same area as a Natura 2000 bird sanctuary, according to an update posted by Andreas Karhula Lauridsen, Vice President and Head of Offshore Wind at European Energy.

“We have tried to get the project to fly, among other things, in coexistence with nature, but we have to note that authorities and politicians have not had much interest in this,” said Lauridsen.

“Since our feasibility study permit has a height limit of 200 meters and today’s offshore wind turbines have become 256 meters tall, it goes without saying that the project has no future.”

In February 2023, the Danish Energy Agency suspended the processing of 33 open-door offshore wind projects, including Omø South, until further clarification of EU law issues.

A month later, the agency resumed the assessment of four open-door schemes, including the 320 MW Omø South offshore wind project. The wind farm was planned to be developed in Småland water between Zealand and Lolland.

Apart from Omø South, European Energy is developing three other offshore wind projects in Denmark: the 160 MW Little Belt (located approx. 4km northeast of Als and 6km from Helnæs), up to 240 MW Jammerland Bay (located northwest of Reersø with over 6km to the nearest coast), and up to 72 MW Fredrikshavn (located 4km off Frederikshavn, and 1.8km off the coast of Hirsholmene).

Recently, the company entered into a partnership with TotalEnergies to develop offshore wind projects in Denmark, Finland, and Sweden.