The Danish Energy Agency has announced tenders for three areas for the establishment of at least 2.8 GW of offshore wind power. The tenders are based on thorough market dialogues and includes, among other things, state subsidies and greater flexibility for developers to increase the likelihood of qualified bids.

Illustration: The Danish Energy Agency

The Danish Energy Agency is now offering three areas for the establishment of offshore wind power. These are ‘North Sea Mid’, ‘Hesselø’ in the Kattegat and ‘North Sea South’. In total, the wind power farms will be able to supply green electricity equivalent to the consumption of around three million Danish and European homes.

The three offshore wind farms are being offered with a support scheme known as a 2-sided capability-based contract for difference (CfD). Under this scheme, the state guarantees offshore wind producers a fixed price for their electricity. This reduces the risk of low electricity prices for developers - an element that has been requested by the market. In total, a payment cap of DKK 55.2 billion, including VAT has been set for the state.

The tenders contain requirements relating to sustainability and social responsibility, including requirements concerning the recyclability of the turbine blades, requirements against social dumping, and the winning bidder for ‘Hesselø’ must establish the offshore wind farm with a so-called nature-inclusive design. To guard against security threats, the Danish Energy Agency is entitled to request at all times that the winning bidder document compliance with applicable regulations on cybersecurity.

The tenders are a follow-up to the offshore wind tenders from 2024, where six areas were put up for tender. By the end of the deadline for the first three areas, the Danish Energy Agency had not received any bids. Subsequently, the Danish Energy Agency has held several market dialogues, which formed the basis for two political agreements in 2025. The new 2.8 GW offshore wind tenders are based on these agreements.

The tender material is published via EU Supply. The deadline for submission of tenders for ‘North Sea Mid’ and ‘Hesselø’ is spring 2026. The deadline for submission of tenders for ‘North Sea South’ is autumn 2028.

Facts about the three offshore wind areas:

• ‘North Sea Mid’, minimum 1 GW, must be completed by the end of 2032
• ‘Hesselø’ in the Kattegat, minimum 800 MW, must be completed by the end of 2032
• ‘North Sea South’, minimum 1 GW, must be completed by the end of 2034

The tenders will further enable the winning bidders to establish overplanting capacity.

KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: Danish Energy Agency