A glimpse of what is slated to become the world’s first artificial energy island has been revealed by a Danish consortium planning the ambitious project.
The VindØ consortium of PensionDanmark and PFA, and utility company Andel in an animated video show how the island some 100km off the Danish North Sea coast could look if it is built as planned by 2030.
The island would be linked to an initial 3GW of offshore wind capacity, which over time could be expanded to a staggering 10GW.
The artificial island is expected to host energy storage, 'power-to-x' facilities such as hydrogen, as well as accommodation, O&M facilities, and HVDC converters for transmission and interconnectors.
The structure would also host a helicopter landing pad, accommodation facilities, a data centre, an operations harbour, and even an extension area with hills and trees to take walks.
Denmark’s parliament in June 2020 had approved an ambitious new climate act that includes building the world’s first energy islands, one in the North Sea, and one close to the Baltic Sea island of Bornholm.
A consortium including the pension funds and investor Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) has earlier said it is willing to finance the energy island project with an initial €50m ($60.7m).
Germany recently has said it plans to cooperate closely with Denmark in offshore wind and the development of energy islands or hubs, both to increase the supply of renewable power and green hydrogen.
