Bornholm – the Baltic island energy hub

Bornholm is implementing the groundbreaking Baltic Energy Island project. As a result, the Danish island will be the world’s first hybrid island supplying energy. Offshore wind farms with a capacity of three gigawatts will generate electricity for Denmark and Germany. Unfortunately, this innovative project is being implemented without Poland’s participation. Yet MEP Borys Budka is the main supporter of this globally innovative project.

Baltic Energy Island is not only a key element of the green transformation. This project also provides cheaper electricity and represents a key step towards ensuring energy independence for Denmark, Germany, and Europe, emphasizes the project’s announcement, which was launched several months ago.

Through this initiative, Denmark aims to maintain its leadership position in the green transformation. And let us emphasize – it will do so based on its own innovations, domestic industry, the utilization of its potential, and financial support from the European Union. The project’s objectives emphasize: “Based on global cooperation, we have developed technologies, implemented them in our energy system, and exported them to other regions of the world. Baltic Energy Island will continue this tradition, bringing us closer to a 100% sustainable and data-driven energy system.”

The project’s inaugural meeting was attended by 60 participants from 12 countries. The project was launched at a meeting in the European Parliament, during which the first roadmap of the Energy Islands Forum, “Making Energy Islands a Success,” was presented. This is a new direction for harnessing the potential of companies and countries that generate revenue from the sale of renewable energy technologies and installations.

The roadmap is a strategy that outlines key tasks for building energy islands. The first phase envisages tasks until 2030. The experience gained will form the foundation for long-term investments leading to the construction of a network of energy islands by 2050. In this context, it is also worth considering the announcement by Ørsted, which maintains its EBITDA forecast for 2025 in the range of DKK 25–28 billion.

Parliamentarians, scientists, government, and business
Parliamentarians, scientists, government, and business are lobbying unanimously for the development of renewable energy on Bornholm and support for domestic businesses. The roadmap was presented in Brussels by Professor Nicolaos A. Cutululis of the Technical University of Denmark, chairman of the Energy Island Forum. The meeting was co-hosted by MEPs Niels Fuglsang from Denmark and Borys Budka from Poland.

As a reminder, in July 2024, MEP Borys Budka (PO) was elected by acclamation as Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research, and Energy (ITRE). From 2014 to 2019, MEP Jerzy Buzek (PO) chaired the ITRE. ITRE members prepared legislative work on issues such as the security of energy supplies to the EU, industrial policy, and energy security based on the Energy Union.

ITRE is one of the most important industrial committees, and its members are responsible for implementing the ecological transition in European Union countries. During the kick-off meeting of the “Making Energy Islands a Success” project, the energy island strategy received support from, among others, Joachim Balke, Head of Unit for Infrastructure and Regional Cooperation, DG Energy, European Commission, and James Matthys-Donnadieu, Director of Customers, Markets, and Systems, Elia. The initiative was supported by Dirk Van Hertem, Professor at KU Leuven, Ulrik Stridbæk, Vice President for Regulatory Affairs at Ørsted, and Hessel de Jong, Chief Operating Officer at Copenhagen Energy Islands.

Niels Fuglsang emphasized in his speech that “energy islands are central to EU priorities, contributing to the fight against climate change, increasing security through energy independence, and enhancing Europe’s competitiveness.” The meeting participants agreed to build the first energy island as quickly as possible by 2030. The leaders are Belgium and Denmark.

The panel emphasized the importance of completing the first energy islands by 2030. These are intended to be milestones for future solutions that will be implemented in subsequent energy islands. The leaders face significant challenges. The project initiators emphasize that “to achieve this, we must address financial risks and find ways to finance the necessary network infrastructure.”

Those who will benefit from the project commercially and obtain funding for the development of new technologies contributed to the development of the first roadmap. The companies and stakeholder organizations included: DTU Wind and Energy Systems, Ørsted, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Vestas, Siemens Energy, Siemens Gamesa, Hitachi Energy, Green Power Denmark, Energinet, Bornholms Energi & Forsyning, Port of Roenne A/S, Bornholms Regionskommune, Offshore Center Bornholm, DI Energi, and others. The list is open to further contributors.

Baltic Energy Island, Poland’s Neighbor
Bornholm Energy Island is, in fact, the Baltic Energy Island project. The fact that it strongly supports Danish business is demonstrated by the composition of the program board. The Baltic Energy Island project is led by Claus M. Andersen, CEO, Bornholms Energi & Forsyning. He is supported by his deputy, Charlotte B. Jepsen, Managing Partner, CIP Foundation.

The management team includes: Ulrik Stridbæk, VP, Head of Global Regulatory & Public Affairs at Ørsted; Jacob Østergaard, Professor and Division Chief at DTU; Jacob Trøst, Mayor of Bornholm; Lars Nordahl Lemvigh, CEO of the Port of Roenne; Per Hessellund Lauritsen, Offshore Research Manager at Siemens Gamesa; and Anette Hansen, Business Director at Danske Bank Bornholm. The collaboration between business, local government, and academia is clearly visible.

The project recently gained momentum after Danish Climate Minister Lars Aagaard gave Energinet the green light to continue concluding contracts for onshore installations. This secures the investment phase for Bornholm Energy Island, Bornholm Mayor Jacob Trøst announced on social media. Copenhagen’s support for the project is demonstrated by the government beginning substantive negotiations with Germany on the fair sharing of offshore wind costs.

“At the national and international level, it’s about how we can contribute to increasing the ambition for Bornholm Energy Island to become a beacon for the development of the European energy system,” emphasized German Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy Katharina Reiche.

Commenting on the Danish government’s decision, the Mayor of Bornholm stated: “This is great news and shows that both Denmark and Germany see Baltic Energy Island as a key project.”

“Energy tax Down!”
Rising energy prices are a significant problem in Denmark. Minister Lars Aagaard announced on social media: “Now we’re driving the electricity tax down!” He believes many Danes are struggling to make ends meet. “Going to the supermarket has become an expensive pleasure. The threat of tariffs, supply chain problems, and rising raw material prices are not helping either,” the minister warns.

Aagaard announced a week ago: “Over the next two years, we will lower the electricity tax to the EU minimum rate. From 72.7 øre to 0.8 øre!” According to the minister, “this is a helping hand for everyone who uses green electricity in Denmark.”

The program is revolutionary and aims to support businesses and make life easier for consumers. Aagaard emphasizes: “I am proud to be part of a government that is pushing forward the green transformation and lowering taxes for Danes. This makes Denmark richer and more environmentally friendly.”