Danish utility company Sonfor is seeking a new partner for the 165 MW Lillebælt Syd offshore wind project after TotalEnergies announced earlier this summer that it would withdraw from the development. Sonfor will now take back the majority stake in the company behind the project and assess options for moving it forward with a new operating partner.

The decision concerns Lillebælt Vind A/S, the development company behind the planned offshore wind farm in the Little Belt Strait. European Energy, which joined the project in 2022, will remain as a minority shareholder.

SONFOR said the withdrawal by TotalEnergies does not change its view that the project remains relevant for both security of supply and local development in the Sønderborg area. At the same time, the company plans to reassess the project's business case in light of changing market conditions for offshore wind.

“We have noted TotalEnergies' desire to focus on other projects in their global portfolio. This does not change our view that Lillebælt Syd Offshore Wind Farm is important both in terms of security of supply and in a local context,” said Kjeld Stærk, Chairman of the Board at Sonfor.

According to Sonfor, the market for wind power has changed significantly, particularly following recent decisions on two large state-supported wind tenders in Denmark. The company therefore intends to use the coming months to test and challenge the project's business case once again.

“We have a shovel-ready project that directly addresses important agendas concerning security of supply and local development in the Sønderborg area,” Stærk said. He added that the ongoing electrification of society is putting pressure on the electricity grid, with companies already facing difficulties in getting their electricity needs covered.

Partner and business case review to run until June 2027

Following the transaction, Sonfor will once again hold the majority stake in Lillebælt Vind A/S, with European Energy continuing as minority shareholder.

The transaction is subject to formal approval at extraordinary general meetings of Sonfor Vedvarende Energi A/S and SONFOR Holding A/S on August 21. Once approved, SONFOR will begin a process to clarify both the project's potential partner structure and its business case.

The process is expected to be completed no later than the end of June 2027, according to SONFOR.

165 MW project planned for 2029–30

The Lillebælt Syd project was originally launched as a wind cooperative in 2011. SONFOR took over the project from Sønderborg Municipality in 2020, with the task of finding partners and establishing the offshore wind farm.

European Energy joined the partnership in 2022, followed by TotalEnergies in 2024. TotalEnergies subsequently announced its withdrawal from Lillebælt Syd as part of a decision to focus on other projects in its global portfolio.

The planned offshore wind farm has a capacity of 165 MW, comprising 11 turbines of 15 MW each. It is expected to generate approximately 650 GWh of electricity annually, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of around 150,000 households.

The project has already completed its environmental studies, obtained an establishment permit and secured an agreement for grid connection, according to Sonfor.

The offshore wind farm is currently planned to be ready for operation in 2029–30. Sonfor's latest decision means that finding a new partner and reassessing the project's commercial foundations will be the next steps towards determining how the development can proceed.