The Danish Government has recently unveiled plans to conduct supplementary screenings for two potential locations for a third wind turbine test center. These screenings will focus on the Borris Shooting Range and the area north of the Østerild Test Center, situated in the municipalities of Ringkøbing-Skjern and Herning, respectively.
Earlier this year, a dedicated working group evaluated six areas as potential sites for a national test center for tall wind turbines. However, the initial screening revealed various challenges associated with all six locations. In light of these findings, the group decided to re-evaluate areas previously excluded from consideration, seeking to gain a comprehensive understanding of the possibilities.
Some areas that were initially excluded faced challenges such as the necessity for new road infrastructure, land reclamation efforts, or a higher number of expropriations than initially anticipated.
Minister for Rural Districts Louise Schack Elholm commented on the complexity of the decision-making process, stating, “We are faced with a complex and difficult political decision with many considerations. Therefore, before the summer vacation in the agreement group, we agreed that the Planning and Rural Development Agency should turn the tables and look at whether some of the areas that have been found to be too challenging should nevertheless be included in an overall assessment.”
She further emphasized the importance of exploring all options before progressing to detailed environmental and habitat impact assessments.
The results of the supplementary screenings are anticipated to be available by the end of 2023. At that point, the parties involved will collectively determine the feasibility of establishing a third national test center for large wind turbines. This decision will encompass the results of the original screening of six areas conducted in June 2023.
