The Danish Energy Agency has opened tenders for three new offshore wind farm areas
Announced at the end of November 2025, the tenders cover sites in the North Sea and Kattegat and will enable the development of at least 2.8 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity.
When completed, the three wind farms are expected to generate enough green electricity to meet the annual consumption of around three million Danish and European households.
The offshore wind farms are in place to strengthen energy security, support the green transition, and attract renewed interest from offshore wind developers following challenges in earlier tender rounds.
Three offshore wind areas
The areas offered for development are North Sea Mid, Hesselø in the Kattegat, and North Sea South. North Sea Mid and North Sea South are located in the North Sea, while Hesselø is situated east of Denmark in the Kattegat.
North Sea Mid will have a minimum capacity of 1 gigawatt and must be completed by the end of 2032. Hesselø will deliver at least 800 megawatts and is also scheduled for completion by 2032. North Sea South, the final and largest area for long-term planning, must provide a minimum of 1 gigawatt and be operational by the end of 2034.
Developers will also have the option to install additional capacity beyond the minimum requirements through overplanting, allowing better flexibility in project design.
New support model to attract developers
The Danish Energy Agency is also introducing a two-sided capability-based contract for the difference model.
Under this new support scheme, the state guarantees a fixed electricity price for offshore wind producers, reducing the financial risk associated with volatile power markets.
The total payment cap for state support has been set at DKK 55.2 billion, including VAT. This approach directly reflects feedback from market participants who have called for stronger risk-sharing mechanisms to ensure visible business cases for large offshore wind projects.
Sustainability and security requirements
The tenders place strong emphasis on sustainability and social responsibility. Developers must meet requirements for recyclable turbine blades and for measures to prevent social dumping in the supply chain. The Hesselø project must incorporate a nature-inclusive design, ensuring that the wind farm is developed with consideration for marine ecosystems.
Cybersecurity is also a key focus. The Danish Energy Agency retains the right to require full documentation demonstrating compliance with applicable cybersecurity regulations to mitigate potential security threats.
These new tenders follow offshore wind rounds launched in 2024, when six areas were offered but received no bids by the initial deadlines. In response, the Danish Energy Agency conducted extensive market dialogues with industry stakeholders. The insights gained helped shape two political agreements reached in 2025, which now form the foundation of the revised tender framework.
Submission timelines
The tender materials are available through the EU Supply platform, with a short delay of up to 48 hours after publication before full access is available. Developers must submit bids for North Sea Mild and Hessleø by spring 2026, while the deadlines for North Sea South are set for autumn 2028.
These projects demonstrate a new, more flexible approach to offshore wind development in Denmark, reinforcing the country’s position as a leader in renewable energy.
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