Danish government ends its pause on the Energiø Bornholm project

The Danish government has officially ended its pause on the Energiø Bornholm project, granting approval for a major contract that signals renewed momentum for the landmark HVDC energy island initiative after months of uncertainty and delayed negotiations with project stakeholders. The announcement has garnered strong reactions across both Denmark and Germany, with energy ministers from both countries reaffirming their commitment to the Baltic Sea’s hybrid interconnector model and its strategic value for European energy security and decarbonization goals.

The approved contract will provide for the installation of a 525 kV subsea HVDC cable system capable of transmitting up to 3 GW of offshore wind generation from the Rønne Banke wind cluster via converter stations on Bornholm, then onward to both Zealand (1.2 GW capacity) and Germany (2 GW capacity), utilizing nearly 500 kilometers of submarine and underground cables. This DC solution not only maximizes transmission efficiency across long distances, but also enables precise bidirectional control of power flows, which is critical for load balancing and integrating variable renewable resources with disparate European grids.

The technical vision includes the deployment of HVDC breakers, designed to facilitate modular expansion and future interconnectors, potentially connecting additional wind farms or Power-to-X facilities to the Bornholm hub. This aspect is central for ensuring that the energy island’s infrastructure can evolve into a true transmission backbone for the wider region.

The latest move follows months of market dialogue and cautious optimism, as industry representatives and local stakeholders had warned that continued delay risked jeopardizing the project’s eligibility for a €645 million EU grant and undermining Denmark’s offshore wind supply ambitions. With the official restart, the procurement process for HVDC stations, hybrid cable contracts, and converter station installation will accelerate, with vendors now able to submit competitive bids under clarified specifications. Both Energinet and 50Hertz have split the tender into multiple contracts to enable best-in-class technology deployment from specialized manufacturers.

Bornholm Energy Island will set new benchmarks for multi-terminal DC technology, cross-border market integration, and scalable energy island design. The project’s progress will be closely watched for lessons on regulatory coordination, multi-vendor interoperability, and system reliability in high-voltage direct current environments, as Denmark and Germany forge ahead with one of Europe’s most ambitious infrastructure collaborations.

‍