The joint Danish-German Bornholm Energy Island project is now transitioning from planning and development to the critical implementation phase, marking a major milestone in Europe’s offshore renewable energy landscape. With contracts for core infrastructure and equipment finalized, the project is poised to deliver at least 3 GW of offshore wind power to consumers in both Denmark and Germany.
Key contracts and partnerships
Energinet has received official approval from Denmark’s Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities, Lars Aagaard, to invest in the electricity infrastructure necessary for the upcoming Bornholm Energy Island. As part of this next phase, Energinet and German transmission system operator 50Hertz have signed a significant contract with Siemens Energy, covering advanced high-voltage equipment—one of the largest individual tasks within the joint project. The scope includes four high-voltage direct current (HVDC) converter stations and one alternating current (HVAC) station, which together will ensure reliable transmission of offshore wind power to consumers.
Two of the converter stations and the HVAC station will be located near Aakirkeby on Bornholm, while the remaining stations will be built at Lindehøj on Zealand and in Kemnitz, Germany (Vorpommern-Greifswald district).
In parallel, NKT has been contracted to produce and install the high-voltage sea and land cables connecting Bornholm to Zealand, ensuring that green power from offshore wind reaches Danish consumers. NKT will also supply the cables for the German connection under a framework agreement with 50Hertz established in 2023.
Project overview and timeline
The Bornholm Energy Island project is designed to harness up to 3 GW of renewable energy from offshore wind in the Baltic Sea. The project will not only supply electricity to millions of households in Denmark and Germany but also provide a blueprint for large-scale international cooperation in clean energy.
With EU backing, including a €645 million grant from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), the project is financially robust. This support was officially recognized during an informal meeting of energy ministers in Copenhagen on September 4, 2025, attended by key figures including Climate Commissioner Dan Jørgensen, Lars Aagaard, Christian Schmidt from Germany, Stefan Kapferer of 50Hertz, and Thomas Egebo of Energinet.
Construction and commissioning are scheduled to progress through the late 2020s, with the Bornholm Energy Island expected to be operational by the early 2030s.
Opportunities for the supply chain
The implementation of the Bornholm Energy Island offers significant opportunities for suppliers across the renewable energy value chain. Companies specializing in high-voltage electrical equipment, offshore substations, converter technologies, cable production, installation vessels, and marine logistics will find openings for participation. The large-scale nature of the project, coupled with the cross-border collaboration, provides a platform for both Danish and German suppliers as well as international partners to engage in one of Europe’s most ambitious offshore renewable initiatives.
As construction ramps up, the project is expected to stimulate local economies, create jobs, and drive innovation in offshore wind technology, positioning the Bornholm Energy Island as a cornerstone of the EU’s renewable energy ambitions.
Bottom Line
The Bornholm Energy Island marks a transformative step in Europe’s renewable energy journey, combining cutting-edge technology, cross-border collaboration, and significant opportunities for the supply chain to deliver 3 GW of green power to Denmark and Germany by the early 2030s.
