Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) is set to introduce a new entity dedicated to the development of energy islands on a global scale. Named Copenhagen Energy Islands (CEI), the company is actively engaged in building a portfolio of approximately 10 energy island projects spanning the North Sea, Baltic Sea, and South-East Asia.
CEI operates as an independent company, with the majority ownership held by CIP and a consortium of investors. The founding group includes significant players from the Nordic, European, and North American investment landscape, such as PensionDanmark, PFA, SEB, and Andel. These investors bring a proven track record in renewable energy infrastructure investments to the table.
Energy islands are envisioned as extensive offshore energy hubs designed to facilitate the significant scaling required for the next phase of global offshore wind deployment. By integrating established technologies in an innovative manner and at a substantially larger scale, energy islands aim to streamline the cost-efficient expansion and integration of offshore wind projects.
Key factors driving value in this initiative include a notable reduction in power transmission costs, the potential for large-scale offshore green hydrogen production, and the synergies between power and hydrogen generation.
Jakob Baruel Poulsen, Managing Partner and Founder of CIP, outlined the vision of CEI in addressing the global challenge of escalating renewable energy. Emphasizing the need to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, Poulsen highlighted the significance of scaling up offshore wind and other renewables to unprecedented levels.
He underscored energy islands as a pivotal solution to the evolving challenge of seamlessly integrating large-scale offshore wind energy into global energy systems, thereby advancing ambitious offshore wind targets worldwide.
