The Danish energy ministry has proposed a new law to accelerate and simplify electricity grid expansions.
The ministry has proposed that network acceleration areas be designated in most of the country, to quicken and render more predictable environmental permit approvals. This would allow for an entire designated area to be assessed environmentally, instead of individual projects, creating a simpler and faster permitting process.
The proposal envisages dividing Denmark into three network acceleration areas — north Jutland, Zealand and the islands, and south Jutland and Funen — which are already being prepared. But while they way in which environmental approvals are administered would change, the specific environmental and nature protection requirements would not.
The law would also aim for faster planning processes by increasing state physical planning for electricity grid projects. National directives for these projects would be prepared in line with current rules on national interest for transmission system operator Energinet's 400kV connections that cross municipal borders.
The government also wants to speed up the approval processes for energy infrastructure projects through several measures that ensure improved access to land and fewer separate permits. This would include the possibility of imposing building lines and temporary bans, earlier expropriations and limitations on rights of appeal and time limits for judicial review.
The new methodology would prioritise that electric cables be laid underground when they are facing reinvestment and when it is technically possible, and that the financing pool for laying 132-150kV cables be increased by up to 4.5bn Danish kroner (€600mn).
The ministry would also increase and allow for new compensation for residents close to grid infrastructure.
The Danish parliament adopted the 'emergency' power grid bill on 1 October, setting up a new grid connection prioritisation legislative framework, in reaction to a temporary pause on new connections in March, after a rise in consumption applications.
