Marking a major milestone in strengthening the Energy Union and EU cross-border interconnectedness, the Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen, participated today in the signature ceremony for an EU-backed €645.2 million grant agreement on the Bornholm Energy Island (BEI) hybrid offshore project. The Commission has provided continuous support to the project, from planning to granting the status of a project of common interest (PCI), to providing financial support. Its completion will mark a significant step towards a more resilient, interconnected, and sustainable European energy system. As a first-of-its-kind project, the Bornholm Energy Island also strengthens the business case for subsequent projects and unlocks key technical and innovative solutions.

The financing comes under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Energy programme, which is an EU fund supporting key projects for the completion of the Energy Union managed by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). The signature ceremony took place in the margins of the informal Energy Council in Copenhagen, hosted by the Danish Presidency. 

Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen said:  

‘This project is a blueprint for future offshore power development in the EU. Not only will it help integrate renewable energy and decarbonise our system. Crucially, it will boost the competitiveness of the sector while providing cleaner and cheaper energy to millions of European consumers across borders. This is why completing the Energy Union, is paramount. The Commission will keep doing its utmost to support innovative infrastructure projects that make the energy transition happen on the ground.’

Connecting offshore wind to millions of consumers

Led by Energinet (Denmark) and 50Hertz (Germany), this innovative and visionary project will connect numerous wind farms via a single offshore energy hub on the Danish island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea. From there, 3 GW of offshore renewable electricity will be brought onshore and distributed through Denmark and Germany, helping to power millions of homes and businesses with clean electricity.

To make this possible, CEF Energy is funding the construction of 2 new converter stations (one on Bornholm and one in Zealand), and the installation of an extensive submarine cable system of around 200 kilometres, complemented by a 17-kilometre onshore connection between Zealand and Bornholm. This infrastructure will serve as a crucial bridge between offshore generation and consumers, enabling electricity to flow flexibly where it is needed the most. This innovative setup supports energy security, price stability, and the integration of renewable energy on a much larger scale than before.

A milestone for Europe’s clean energy transition

As the world’s first hybrid direct current interconnector, the Bornholm Energy Island project represents a new era of energy cooperation in Europe. By pooling offshore generation and connecting national grids, offshore wind energy is no longer harvested by individual countries alone. This cooperation will create a stronger, more flexible energy network capable of adapting to demand, keeping energy prices stable, and supporting Europe’s industrial competitiveness.

CEF Energy driving Europe’s future

This major EU contribution illustrates how CEF Energy funding can drive Europe’s energy transition, investing directly in infrastructure that connects clean energy to consumers, strengthens Europe’s competitiveness, and secures a reliable, affordable and sustainable energy supply. 

By supporting projects of common interest like Bornholm Energy Island, CEF Energy plays a crucial role in delivering the EU’s energy and climate objectives in a cost-effective manner, and in building the next generation of European energy infrastructure.

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