The Danish Energy Agency has launched a public consultation on the strategic environmental assessment (SEA) for the revised southern location of the Hesselø Offshore Wind Farm (OWF). The consultation period will extend from February 5 to April 5, 2024, allowing stakeholders and the public to provide valuable input on the environmental considerations associated with the offshore wind project.
Hesselø OWF is anticipated to have an installed capacity ranging from 800MW to 1200MW. Positioned in Hesselø Bay in the Kattegat, approximately 30km from Zealand, 30km from Anholt, 35km from Djursland, and 33km from Sweden, the wind farm aims to harness the region's wind resources for sustainable energy generation.
The offshore export cables will connect to the landfall at Gilbjerg Hoved in North Zealand. A new high-voltage power station near Pårup is under consideration, facilitating the export of electricity through onshore-buried cables to the existing high-voltage power station Hovegaard north of Ballerup. The station is slated for extension as part of the project.
The deadline for the full commissioning of the Hesselø OWF is set for the end of 2029. Following the public consultation, the Danish Energy Agency will carefully assess the feedback received, making necessary updates to the plan. Subsequently, the agency will issue a SEA Summary Statement and publish the final plan.
In tandem with the SEA, Energinet, the Danish transmission system operator (TSO), is conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the land-based segment of the project. The Danish Environmental Protection Agency is expected to issue the EIA permit for the land-based part in mid-2024, contingent on the successful completion of the EIA process.
The final tender material for Hesselø OWF is slated for release in spring 2024, with the tender deadline expected in February 2025. The EIA for the sea-based portion is anticipated between 2025 and 2027, aligning with the timeline post-tender winner announcement. Scoping is scheduled for 2025, followed by a second public consultation on the EIA report in 2027. In late 2027, the Danish Energy Agency aims to issue the construction license (EIA permit), subject to the successful progression of the EIA process and project viability.
