Port facilities are essential to offshore wind deployment, facilitating the production, installation, and servicing of wind farms. In Denmark, several of the world’s most experienced ports play a key role in supporting the offshore wind sector.

Developing the right infrastructure is crucial for deploying large volumes of offshore wind energy to combat climate change. Building this capacity equires close collaboration between ports and the wind sector. In particular, the vast increase in size and volume of wind turbines continuously push port capacity and infrastructure limits. Transport routes, quay ramps, load capacity and storage areas must evolve to meet the production, installation and service needs of future generations of wind turbines.

Port facilities are essential to offshore wind deployment, facilitating the production, installation, and servicing of wind farms. In Denmark, several of the world’s most experienced ports play a key role in supporting the offshore wind sector. Developing the right infrastructure is crucial for deploying large volumes of offshore wind energy to combat climate change. Building this capacity equires close collaboration between ports and the wind sector. In particular, the vast increase in size and volume of wind turbines continuously push port capacity and infrastructure limits. Transport routes, quay ramps, load capacity and storage areas must evolve to meet the production, installation and service needs of future generations of wind turbines.

The three roles of commercial ports in offshore wind

Danish commercial ports contribute to offshore wind development in three key ways:

• Production ports – Ports such as Lindø, Nakskov and Aalborg serve as manufacturing hubs for wind turbine components. Given their size and weight, components such as nacelles, blades and towers are often assembled near ports to ease transportation. Production ports require strong load-bearing surfaces, deep-water access, and large storage areas.
• Installation ports – Ports such as Esbjerg and Rønne function as offshore wind logistics centres, providing pre-assembly areas and quay facilities for wind turbine components before they are transported offshore. Installation ports must accommodate heavy loads, extensive storage areas, and deep-water basins. The Danish Transport Authority estimates that shipping 1 GW of offshore wind requires 250,000–350,000 m² of port space.
• Service ports – Once offshore wind farms are operational, ports near wind farm sites serve as maintenance hubs. These ports require less storage and quay space but must provide efficient access to offshore wind farms. Key Danish service ports include Hvide Sande, Thorsminde and Klintholm.

Many Danish ports have successfully transitioned from traditional industries to offshore wind, securing long-term economic benefits and employment opportunities.

Port Esbjerg is the world’s largest base port for offshore wind installation. It has shipped more than 80 percent of Europe’s installed offshore wind capacity and continues to expand its role in supporting offshore wind deployment.

Other Danish ports are reaping the rewards of wind energy as well. The Port of Rønne is set to support wind installations in the Baltic Sea, while the port of Thyborøn, in a town of fewer than 2,000 residents, was chosen by German developer RWE as the base port for Denmark’s largest wind project to date, the 1 GW Thor Offshore Wind Farm, which will be commissioned in 2027.