Energy business park or missed opportunity?
Point of view of Karen Bladt, Chairperson of Bornholm Business Council.
With the business strategy ”Power to Growth”, the municipal council has made a strategic choice: Energy Island Bornholm is to create lasting jobs and economic growth, inter alia through an energy business park. This is a unique opportunity to position Bornholm as a central energy hub.
Now the energy island has been postponed – but not called off. And precisely for that reason, it is crucial that we stick to our strategy and do not waver. The state stands ready to support development on Bornholm through the Act on State-Designated Energy Parks. But if we do not designate an area this year, the opportunity will likely disappear. If the energy island goes ahead, but we do not have an area ready, it means we will not reap the full benefits of the development we have worked so hard for. We risk standing on the sidelines while others get a share of the investments, jobs and growth.
It would be a fatal signal to send – both to the state, our partners in Germany, the business community and potential investors. If we stop the work now, we are essentially saying no to the opportunities we have fought for ourselves. No businesses will invest in a municipality that doubts its own strategy and dares not think long-term.
It would be a shame if that becomes the current municipal council's legacy for their term – that they let a unique opportunity slip away. We must show the outside world that we believe in our strategy and ambitions. If we say no now, we send a signal that we do not believe in Bornholm's potential as an energy hub.
Therefore, we urge the Municipal Council to make the decision now and continue the work on an energy business park. By acting proactively, we ensure that Bornholm is not just part of the green transition – but also reaps the economic and commercial benefits that follow.
Therefore, we urge the Municipal Council to believe in the strategy they themselves have adopted and to make the necessary decision now to stay the course. By acting proactively, we show that Bornholm wants to be part of the green business development of the future – and that we stand firm, even when we experience headwinds and bumps in the road.
Bornholm Business Association c/o Karen Bladt, chairperson
About Bornholm’s Business Council:
The Business Council is an advisory body and must ensure that Bornholm's business community is broadly represented and consulted across business interests regarding local and regional framework conditions and strategies in the business sector, and consists of:
Bornholm Business Council
Karen Bladt, Confederation of Danish Industry
Claus Stamer, Confederation of Danish Industry (Building and Construction)
Liselotte Hjorth, Danish Chamber of Commerce
Klaus Holm, FH Bornholm
Anders Bjerregaard, SMVbornholm
Peter Lund Olsen, Tekniq Bornholm
Lennart Westh, Bornholm Agriculture & Food
Joan Prahl, FH Bornholm
Nikolaj Nexø Grønnegård, finance department
Gabriela Jantzen, HORESTA