CIP secures world-class global contractor group for the world’s first energy island project
Artist impression courtesy of Danish Energy Agency.
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), a global fund manager focused on renewable energy investments, has signed a partnership agreement with four internationally renowned companies within marine and offshore construction services, to develop the energy island in the Danish North Sea.
CIP acts as project developer on behalf of an investor consortium composed of PensionDanmark and PFA, two of Denmark’s largest pension funds, and Denmark’s largest utility company, Andel (collectively known as the VindØ consortium). The signing of this agreement marks a significant step towards realising the world’s first energy island, a project conceptualised by CIP, and a crucial project in unlocking the rapid and unprecedented build-out of global offshore renewable energy to fight climate change. The four chosen contractors are ACCIONA, Boskalis, DEME and MT Højgaard International. These contractors, together called the NJORD Group, display an impressive track record, as well as an extensive pool of best-in-class equipment and skilled staff needed to ensure reliable and timely project development and execution. The NJORD Group will be advised by engineering consultancy NIRAS.
The energy island in the North Sea will be located approximately 80-100km off the Danish west coast, where conditions for green energy production based on offshore wind are optimal. The island will be able to connect 10GW of offshore wind to Denmark and other neighbouring markets, host an innovation zone with potential for large-scale energy storage and Power-to-X technologies, and provide accommodation and operation and maintenance services from onsite harbour facilities. “Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners has thoroughly screened the most experienced experts and the world’s best-suited contract partners for the Energy Island project. We are confident that the NJORD Group offers the experience and capabilities needed for a successful project execution in a safe and reliable manner, even in a harsh marine environment far offshore in the Danish North Sea”, says Thomas Dalsgaard, Partner in CIP. “ACCIONA, Boskalis, DEME and MT Højgaard International display, individually and as a group, extensive and complementary experience and equipment, and have successfully developed and constructed many similar projects around the world. We are very pleased to enter into this partnership with such a strong set of partners”, adds Mr Dalsgaard.
The Danish Energy Agency is currently in dialogue with potential bidders for the energy island tender, which is expected to be launched by Q3 2022. CIP intends to bid in the upcoming tender.