{"id":166867,"date":"2026-03-26T03:00:57","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T02:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cde.ual.es\/?p=166867"},"modified":"2026-03-26T08:28:30","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T07:28:30","slug":"la-comision-aprueba-un-plan-de-ayudas-estatales-danesas-de-5-000-millones-de-euros-para-apoyar-la-energia-eolica-marina","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cde.ual.es\/en\/la-comision-aprueba-un-plan-de-ayudas-estatales-danesas-de-5-000-millones-de-euros-para-apoyar-la-energia-eolica-marina\/","title":{"rendered":"The Commission has approved a \u20ac5 billion Danish state aid scheme to support offshore wind energy"},"content":{"rendered":"

The European Commission has approved a \u20ac5 billion (DKK 37.6 billion) Danish scheme to support offshore wind energy, in line with the objectives of the Clean Industrial Pact. This measure will contribute to the transition to a net-zero economy and to the achievement of<\/span>the EU-wide 2030<\/span>renewable energy target<\/span>. The programme was approved<\/span>under the Clean Industry Pact State Aid Framework<\/span>(CISAF), adopted by the Commission on <\/span>25 June 2025<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Danish measure<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Denmark notified the Commission, under the CISAF, of a \u20ac5 billion plan to support the development of offshore wind energy and drive decarbonisation in the EU, in line with the objectives of the Clean Industry Pact. The plan will run for 20 years.<\/span><\/p>\n

The programme will support the construction and operation of two offshore wind farms: Hessel\u00f8 and North Sea I Mid. The Hessel\u00f8 wind farm is expected to have a capacity of at least 0.8 GW and generate around 3.2 TWh per year. The North Sea I Mid wind farm is expected to have a minimum capacity of 1 GW and generate around 4.6 TWh per year. The combined annual output of these two wind farms will represent the equivalent of approximately 25% of Denmark\u2019s total electricity production last year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Under this scheme, the aid will consist of a <\/span>variable monthly premium <\/span><\/strong>via a contract for difference (CfD). This premium will be calculated by comparing the bid price with a reference market price, weighted by the offshore wind farm\u2019s monthly capacity. Beneficiaries will receive payments when the reference price is lower than the bid price. When the reference price is higher than the bid price, beneficiaries will be required to pay an amount to the Danish authorities.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Commission found that the Danish scheme meets the conditions of the CISAF (Articles 3 and 4.1.2). Specifically, the aid will be provided as<\/span>direct price support<\/span><\/strong>through a capacity-based two-way contract for difference, to be awarded via a competitive tendering process. Compensation will be granted for the potential electricity production that the wind farm could have generated, rather than for its actual production. This design ensures the proper functioning of the market and that the scheme does not compensate producers for production during periods when the market value of such production is negative, in accordance with the<\/span>EU<\/span>electricity market design<\/span>rules<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Commission concluded that the Danish scheme is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to accelerate the transition to a net-zero economy and to facilitate the development of certain economic activities, which are important for the implementation of<\/span>the Clean Industrial Pact<\/span>. This is in line with<\/span>Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU<\/span>and the conditions set out in the CISAF Agreement.<\/span><\/p>\n

On this basis, the Commission approved the aid measure under EU state aid rules.<\/span><\/p>\n

Background<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

On 25 June 2025, the Commission adopted the<\/span>CISAF<\/span>to promote support measures in sectors key to the transition to a net-zero economy, in line with the Clean Industry Pact. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The CISAF allows for the following types of aid, which Member States may grant to accelerate the transition to clean energy:<\/span><\/p>\n