Nordic infrastructure fund Infranode plans to invest 134 million euros in offshore wind infrastructure at Port Esbjerg in Denmark as the port is readying itself for a fivefold increase in North Sea projects. 

The investment will go into port facilities for storage, preassembly and manufacturing of components for the offshore wind industry and is expected to create 2,000 new jobs.

“We’ve found a strong, long-term partner with substantial insights in energy, port infrastructure and sustainability. With this new partnership, the city of Esbjerg, Port Esbjerg and Denmark will be even better prepared to seize opportunities to create green growth and new jobs in the massive expansion of offshore wind power in the North Sea as we approach 2030,” says Flemming Enevoldsen, Port Esbjerg’s Chairman.

Port Esbjerg is a major hub for the offshore wind industry as leading turbine manufacturers like Vestas and Siemens Gamesa have factories in Denmark. In 2019 more than 1,500 MW of offshore wind turbine components were shipped from the port.

There are currently prospective projects of up to 100 GW being installed in the North Sea by 2030, a fivefold increase compared to today. The new facilities in Port Esbjerg will contribute by reducing the costs of transportation between production and installation sites, the port authority states.

“Esbjerg is uniquely positioned in a rapidly growing offshore wind market as well as in the North Sea, which plays a key role in Europe’s climate transition. We’re pleased to have this opportunity to play a part in building on that position and to create a setting for future green growth in the region. We want to play a part in propelling the industry to new heights,” says Niels Vallø, senior advisor at Infranode.