Port of Esbjerg is Denmark’s biggest port. It is part of a highly specialized network of ports with a key role in the Danish and European offshore wind sector.

The port was built in 1868. Back then, fishing was the key activity, but the new millennium saw the emergence of a new industry: Offshore wind.

Denmark’s first large-scale offshore wind farm, Horns Rev 1, was installed in 2002 from Port of Esbjerg. It paved the way for an explosive development in the offshore wind industry.

A world leader in offshore wind activities

Covering 4.5 million square meters, Port of Esbjerg is the world’s largest base port for offshore wind activities and a front runner in the European offshore wind sector. The port is home to more than 200 companies employing around 10.000 workers.

Today, more than 80 % of the installed offshore wind capacity in Europe has been shipped out from Port of Esbjerg.

One of the port’s key competitive advantages is that it is a key link between production facilities in Northern Europe and offshore wind sites in the North Sea and surrounding waters.

Also, being a first mover in the offshore wind industry, like many other Danish players, has also earned the port a key market position.

The Port of Esbjerg is the only place in the world, home to companies from the entire wind value chain. From R&D, manufacturing, over transport, and pre-assembly, to installation and maintenance.

A sustainable transition

The transition from old to new technology-heavy industry has transformed the Port of Esbjerg from a fishing harbour to an energy metropolis.

New port activities and services, like power-to-x production and a science centre has generated an extensive job growth and attracted investments, habitants, and workers to the entire city of Esbjerg.

The local prosperity has also had positive spill-over effects on a national level and contributes to the broader success story of the Danish wind industry.

The transformation of the port however, is far from over. The wind industry is constantly evolving, and turbine components keep getting bigger. Therefore, scalability, flexibility and industry collaboration are key.