In the June 2018 edition of Havnebladet, published by Lolland Commercial Harbours, it was announced that Nakskov Harbour would initiate a feasibility study to “document the possibilities and subsequently put a project for the expansion and straightening of the channel out for tender.” The reason for the desired expansion, according to the article, was that “the shipment of wind turbine blades from MHI Vestas Offshore Wind had increased significantly over the past three years.”
Today, six years later, the channel in Nakskov Fjord is not a centimetre deeper nor a bend fewer. The study was indeed conducted, the tender followed, a project was formulated, financing was secured, and almost all the necessary permits were obtained from the relevant authorities. Almost.
Permit challenged
The permit to dump the excavated material on the seabed was appealed to the Danish Environmental Protection Agency back in April 2024. So far, it has taken five months to process the appeal, and it will take a couple more before there is a response.
“There is additional information (…) These details have not yet been received (…) The case is expected to be finalised by the end of November 2024,” reads a response from the Minister of Business, Morten Bødskov (Social Democrats), to the Danish Parliament member Peter Skaarup from the Denmark Democrats on 9 September 2024.
The answer raises questions
This response is surprising to harbourmaster Jørgen Buhl from Lolland Municipality, who has not heard from the Environment and Food Complaints Board:
– It’s strange to read in the response that there is additional information. We have no idea what this information could be, says Jørgen Buhl.
Since 2018, a lot has changed at wind turbine manufacturer Vestas. Wind turbines are being installed both offshore and onshore like never before. At the same time, the turbines are becoming more powerful and larger. And this is evident in the channel.
From 80 to 115.5 metres since 2018
On 9 September 2024, Vestas announced that it will supply 56 turbines for an offshore wind project in the USA. The turbines are of the V236-15.0 MW type. Each turbine can produce 15 megawatts of power, and its three blades are each 115.5 metres long. If it was difficult to manoeuvre 80-metre-long turbine blades through the bends in the channel leading out from Nakskov Harbour in 2018, it is certainly not easier today with blades that are almost 50 percent longer.
– We will struggle to get them out, says harbourmaster Jørgen Buhl from Lolland Municipality.
Jobs at stake
If Vestas cannot ship the long turbine blades out from Nakskov, the entire region risks missing out on the many jobs that the U.S. venture could generate.
– We need clarification on whether this channel expansion will go ahead. If it doesn’t, we will have to look at other options and possibly ship from other locations in Europe, said Vestas COO, Tommy Rahbek Nielsen, in December 2023 to TV2-Øst.
This message seems to have resonated with the government.
“I find it generally unsatisfactory when the authorities’ case processing is unnecessarily delayed and thus hinders growth and development,” reads the response from the Minister of Business, Morten Bødskov (Social Democrats), to Peter Skaarup.
– It’s embarrassing that it’s taking so long. It’s holding back development, is Peter Skaarup’s immediate reaction to the minister’s response.
– It’s sluggish case processing. I’ve never experienced an administrative procedure taking six years before, says Lolland Municipality’s harbourmaster, Jørgen Buhl.
Not navigable until 2027
While the case is being processed, time is running out in Nakskov. The work to deepen and straighten the channel can only be carried out during the winter months, and it will span two winters. So even if the green light is given in November, the new channel will not be navigable until 2027. This coincides with Vestas’ deadline for delivering the 56 turbines to the USA.
FemernReport has repeatedly requested a comment from Vestas regarding the conditions of the channel in Nakskov Fjord and its impact on production in Nakskov, but by the time of publication, no response had been received.
