Wind Energy – Ocean Wind 1 and 2
Following decisions of its Board of Directors, Ørsted will cease development of the Ocean Wind 1 and 2 projects and has taken final investment decision on the Revolution Wind project.
The decision to scrap the two wind farms is a consequence of continuing supply chain turmoil, high-interest rates, and permitting delays.
Ørsted announced DKr28.4bn ($4bn) of impairment charges for the first nine months of the year.
Mads Nipper, Group President and CEO of Ørsted, says: “We are extremely disappointed to announce that we are ceasing the development of Ocean Wind 1 and 2. We firmly believe the US needs offshore wind to achieve its carbon emissions reduction ambition, and we remain committed to the US renewables market and truly value the efforts by the US government to support the build-up of the US offshore wind industry. However, the significant adverse developments from supply chain challenges, leading to delays in the project schedule, and rising interest rates have led us to this decision, and we will now assess the best way to preserve value while we cease the development of the projects. At the same time, with an attractive forward-looking value creation, we progress the Revolution Wind project into the construction phase.”
Revolution Wind
Ørsted has also taken the final investment decision (FID) on the 704 MW Revolution Wind project, which Ørsted owns in a 50/50 partnership with Eversource.
Onshore construction has started, and offshore construction will start in 2024, with the project expected to be completed in 2025. Notwithstanding the impairment of DKK 3.3 billion that Ørsted is recording in its Q3 results, Revolution Wind has an attractive forward-looking value creation with a forward-looking spread to WACC above Ørsted’s guided range.
