By law, the Danish Energy Agency has been given the mandate to issue permits and approvals for offshore wind projects. It is the responsible authority for planning, commissioning and decommissioning of offshore wind farms in Denmark and also hosts the One-Stop-Shop for offshore wind permitting.

A streamlined permitting process

The One-Stop-Shop is an administrative procedure in which the Danish Energy Agency acts as the central authority for coordinating and collecting information from other public authorities. These authorities provide jurisdictional and technical expertise on areas such as maritime safety, radar systems, and loss of income for fishermen affected by offshore wind farm construction. The Danish Energy Agency is not the sector responsible authority in these matters, but must regulate them within the construction licence, as wind farm developers need permissions from multiple authorities to comply with various laws and regulations. To facilitate this, the Danish Energy Agency coordinates with all relevant authorities to obtain the necessary requirements set by each sector authority.

A key priority for the Danish Energy Agency is ensuring transparent processes and removing risks, making Denmark an attractive market for investors. To support this, the agency works to reduce investment risks as much as possible. A significant part of this approach is the centralised permitting system, known as the One-Stop-Shop.

“Wind energy is cheap, it is green, and it’s an inexhaustible resource. For 30 years, Denmark has developed framework conditions for wind energy in our surrounding seas. Therefore, we are proud of the crucial role wind energy plays today in the Danish energy system. The sea territory has many stakeholders, and the Danish Energy Agency’s role as the one-stop-shop for offshore wind deployment is one of our efforts to contribute to accelerating the green transition.” Kristoffer Böttzauw, Director General, Danish Energy Agency.

Avoiding costly delays during construction

One of the most time-sensitive operations in offshore wind farm construction is when components are shipped from the shore to the installation site. This process requires specialised installation vessels that are in high demand and costly to operate. If these vessels cannot be used as planned due to delays, for example, in permitting, they may not be available again for a long time, which can cause further delays and additional costs. All key authorities involved in managing Denmark’s sea territory have been part of the marine spatial planning process, where offshore wind sites are identified and selected. The insights gained from this process help facilitate early planning and permitting.

Coordinating a single licensing process

When collecting all necessary information from relevant authorities, the Danish Energy Agency consolidates it into one joint licence. However, the agency does not take responsibility for other authorities or their regulatory duties. Instead, its role is to coordinate the process and keep stakeholders informed. Once a specific site has been designated for offshore wind development, the Danish Energy Agency engages in extensive consultation with all relevant authorities to determine the necessary conditions and regulations to be included in the licence.

“A smooth and qualified coordination with all relevant authorities in order to grant the necessary permits is of huge benefit to the offshore wind industry. It is also crucial to our ambitions of developing even more security from offshore wind in the future to combat climate change and enhance our security of energy supply.” Kristoffer Bötzauw, Director General, Danish Energy Agency.

A proven tool for efficient permitting

Denmark has used the One-Stop-Shop through most of its offshore wind permitting history, starting with the Horns Rev 2 and Rødsand 2 offshore wind farms. Over time, the concept has been refined, but it has always served as a tool to mitigate delays and identify potential challenges as early as possible.