Denmark launches tender for 350MW offshore wind farm

Denmark has launched a tender process for the submission of prequalification bids for the development of 350MW of offshore wind projects in six areas off the Danish coast.

A maximum of 200 MW could be proposed for each area, except the one off the island of Bornholm, where a project of up to 50 MW is planned.

Climate, Energy and Building Minister Rasmus Helveg Petersen, said:

"I am pleased that we can now formally start the tender for the nearshore wind turbines. It is an exciting project that shows new ways for offshore wind. The tender invites new types of tenderers different from the tenderers we know from the large-scale tenders. This promotes competition both in this tender and the future tenders for offshore wind. It can lead to more cost-effective prices - to the benefit of the Danish electricity consumers."

The prequalification ensures that only those that are able to undertake the task, both financially and technically, can participate in the tendering procedure.

The contract notice sets out the main principles of bidding and outlines the requirements necessary to become prequalified in order to participate in the tender, which will be conducted as a negotiated procedure.

The requirements for prequalification are customized to create more competition and bring new players to the Danish market. Among other things, there are now more relaxed requirements for financial and economic capacity in comparison to the last offshore tender in Denmark at Horns Rev 3.

The draft tender specifications will be published later this spring, and the final tender specifications, including the final EIA, will be published in the beginning of 2016.

The tender specification will include among other things the specific economic conditions for the establishment and operation of the wind farm as well as a draft concession agreement.

Deadline for the submission of the application for prequalification is 26 May 2015 at 14:00.

The contract notice can be found here.