The Danish Energy Agency (DEA) has given approval for the plan to develop the Thor offshore wind farm, at a site west of Thorsminde, Denmark.
The agency has concluded that the wind farm can be developed without causing major impacts to the environment. The conclusion was based on the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and the public consultation.
Also, the size of the wind farm site has been reduced from 440km2 to 286km2, as a result of the site evaluations.
The DEA stated: “The result of the SEA process as well as the site-investigation and other considerations have led to the narrowing down of the site for Thor.
“The process of narrowing down the site has taken into account a number of factors, including visual impact, cumulative visual aspects, birds, stone reefs, raw materials, fishing interest and safety of navigation.”
With a capacity of minimum 800MW and maximum 1GW, the Thor offshore wind farm is planned to be connected to the grid between year 2025 and 2027.
Thor is the first of three large offshore wind farms that are expected to be constructed in Denmark before 2030. It will be located in the North Sea west of Nissum Fjord, at a distance of at least 20 km from the shore.
In March, the European Commission has approved Danish support for the Thor offshore wind project.
The Commission stated that the measure will help Denmark increase its share of electricity produced from renewable energy sources, without unduly distorting competition in the Single Market.
To support the design, construction and operation of the new project, Denmark planned an aid measure with a total maximum budget of nearly €870m.
In January, French oil and gas giant Total and Spanish energy company Iberdrola formed a partnership to bid for the Thor project.
The DEA is expected to conclude the tendering process for the project with final bids in the fourth quarter of 2021.
