In the Danish portion of the North Sea, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) wants to construct an artificial island dedicated to the large-scale production of green hydrogen from offshore wind, dubbed “Brint” (or “Hydrogen Island”).
The island is anticipated to be able to generate an unparalleled amount of green hydrogen by 2030, making it a critical step in assuring the future green energy supply of Europe.
The Brint project contributes significantly to achieving the lofty goals set by the Danish government earlier this year, as well as the transnational political will exhibited at the North Sea Summit held in Esbjerg, Denmark on 18 May.
“The Danish, German, Dutch, and Belgian ambitions for the North Sea show the rest of the world how the green transition can be turbocharged if you dare to think big, internationally and in integrated systems. Green energy will be harvested on a large scale out at sea, tied together by energy islands, converted into green hydrogen, and transported across borders via offshore hydrogen infrastructure. The opportunities are significant, and the Danish BrintØ is the first step in that direction,” says Thomas Dalsgaard, Partner at CIP.
Brint may be the first of its type. Brint, and eventually other surrounding energy islands, will generate vast quantities of green hydrogen from offshore wind for export to neighboring countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium. Brint will thus lay the groundwork for the Power-to-X production of sustainable green fuels for trucks, ships, and aircraft. Brint can serve as a showcase for Danish offshore wind, Power-to-X, and green energy system expertise. This will result in new export opportunities for Denmark, so contributing to substantial economic growth and the creation of local jobs.
Brint is planned for the Danish portion of Dogger Bank, which is anticipated to become a centre for the future development of offshore energy infrastructure in the North Sea. The region consists of a 20,000 km2 sandbank and offers some of the world’s best conditions for producing low-cost, environmentally friendly power due to its shallow sea depths and abundant wind resources. With Brint, Denmark has a unique potential to acquire a key position in regard to the anticipated development of a vast network of offshore infrastructure crossing the North Sea’s territorial limits, including energy islands, power cables, and hydrogen pipelines.
“It is critical that the Danish flag is planted quickly and strategically in the new expansion of green energy infrastructure in the North Sea. This will help to ensure that both our and future Danish and European generations can continue to benefit from the sustainable and inexhaustible energy source that the North Sea offers,” says Thomas Dalsgaard.
