The Danish Environmental Protection Agency has initiated a new environmental assessment of the onshore infrastructure of Vattenfall’s Vesterhav Nord and Syd offshore wind farms after the existing permits were rejected by the Environment and Food Appeals Board last year.
This is the first step on the road to a new environmental permit, which is expected to be completed by the spring of next year, Energinet, Denmark’s transmission system operator, said.
The Danish Environmental Protection Agency (DEPA), is responsible for facilities on land. The Danish Energy Agency is responsible for all facilities off-shore.
After receiving the required permit from DEPA, 2017, Vattenfall was able to construct all of the onshore infrastructures needed for the projects between 2018-2020. The permit from 2017 was cancelled by a higher authority in Summer 2021. The abrogation was among other things given because possible consequences between Energinet’s onshore installations and Natura 2000-areas should be examined more.
All permits for offshore installations are in effect Offshore construction is just about to beginVattenfall agreed.
”It is important to Vattenfall that all environmental aspects are taken into consideration. We are committed to respecting nature and human beings when developing our projects. We have full confidence that the Danish Environmental Protection Agency will conduct a thorough and transparent process,” Mathilde Lindhardt DamsgaardVattenfall Project Director with responsibility for developing Vesterhav Syd, Nord.
According to Energinet Vattenfall only needs to install filters at Sndervig’s new station and a radar mast to ensure the turbines are not lit at night. This will reduce light pollution.
”It is of course a somewhat distinctive situation, because we have to apply for a new environmental permit for something that has already been built. But we naturally respect the board’s decision, and will make sure to document the project’s environmental impacts thoroughly,” Marian KaaghDeputy Director of Energinet.
There are two public phases in the environmental assessment. This is where citizens and organisations can submit their responses to consultations.
The idea phase, also known as the first hearing, has already started. The second public phase, which includes an eight-week hearing and a public hearing, is expected this winter. It is the Danish Environmental Protection Agency’s expectation that a new environmental assessment can be completed by spring 2023.
Vattenfall already made the final investment decision for Vesterhav Syd Nord and Vesterhav Syd.
The developer does not anticipate that the new environmental assessment will affect the development timelines of the two projects provided that the review results in obtaining the permit.
”When Vattenfall took the FiD last year, we knew that the new environmental assessment process was coming in 2022,” Lindhardt Damsgaard said.
”We are working the best we can to have the Vesterhav farms installed no later than end 2023. Denmark needs fossil free energy more than ever.”
Vesterhav Syd, Nord will be comprised of 41 Siemens Gamesa 8.4MW Wind Turbines for a combined capacity totaling 344 MW.
The offshore wind farms are located 10 km off the West coast Jutland, near Thyborn (Nord), and Sndervig(Syd), in water depths of approximately twenty metres.
Bladt Industries and EEW will provide the transition pieces and monopiles, respectively, and the cables will be manufactured and delivered by Hellenic Cables. Asso.subsea will install the cables at the two wind farms.
DEME Offshore will install turbine foundations and Jan De Nul, Jan De Nul, will install wind turbines.
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