Bornholm learns from Esbjerg's offshore experiences
Now we are rolling up our sleeves and continuing the development of Bornholm as a centre for offshore wind energy in the Baltic Sea and its upcoming status as an Energy Island.
Virtual excursion to Esbjerg: Bornholm learns from experience
15 April 2021
The boards of the Business Hub Copenhagen's branch on Bornholm and Business Center Bornholm, together with members of the Economy, Business and Planning Committee of the Regional Municipality of Bornholm, have been on a joint virtual offshore excursion to Esbjerg to learn from Esbjerg's experience in the offshore sector.
The exciting program for the excursion was spread over two half-days with a focus on local supporting industries, business growth, entrepreneurship and job creation, visions and energy policy/strategy, attraction of investors and companies, upskilling of the workforce, emergency preparedness in relation to public authority services, energy island and much more.
The programme's first day consisted of virtual meetings with three Esbjerg offshore companies, who kindly shared their experiences in the field.
On the second day, a virtual tour of and presentation on the Port of Esbjerg were included, as well as a joint meeting between the Mayor of Esbjerg, Business Esbjerg and the delegation from Bornholm. The day concluded with a meeting with the Mayor of Esbjerg and Esbjerg Municipality's Technical and Environmental Department, focusing on the municipality's strategy and role in the development of energy and offshore.
”It has been two intensive and exciting days, where we have listened and learned from Esbjerg. Gained inspiration and vital knowledge – we have taken their experiences to heart regarding how Bornholm can best prepare to seize the opportunities surrounding offshore wind turbines and the energy island. Major opportunities that require Bornholm to pull in the same direction, and that we are ready to learn from those experienced in the field, says Karen Bladt, Chair of the Board of Business Center Bornholm.
And she continues: ”We are, if possible, even more optimistic and enthusiastic after the excursion and the uplifting and inspiring information we have received from Esbjerg. Esbjerg businesses are looking at Bornholm with interest, and there are good opportunities to establish further cooperation between Bornholm and Esbjerg businesses, which will benefit local Bornholm businesses.”.
Mayor Thomas Thors, who participated both as mayor and as chairman of ØEPU and chairman of the Business Hub Capital Region's branch board on Bornholm, is also a board member of Rønne Port. He says:
”The virtual visit to Esbjerg was attended by ØPEU and the two boards. The starting point was to gain a shared understanding of the major opportunities that Bornholm has and will have in the offshore sector. And not least as an energy island. The experience that Esbjerg has gained over the past 30-40 years has given us an insight into what is required of the municipality, businesses, educational institutions and workers respectively to prepare Bornholm for the coming offshore adventure. What I particularly noted were statements from the businesses at the Port of Esbjerg that, although they were in many ways competitors, they had emphasised internal cooperation, professionalising their businesses and thinking in terms of international agreements. What I also learned was that we must open up for off-island businesses within the offshore sector to be able to gain a foothold here on the island, thereby supporting Bornholm's business community in the wind adventure.”
From the meetings with the companies in Esbjerg, it was clear that all companies considered their most important focus areas to be: safety, certifications, collaboration between the local company as a subcontractor to the major players in the offshore sector, collaboration between companies in Esbjerg, employee culture and flexibility, as well as the importance of companies helping to train the workforce by taking on apprentices. ”These are good points that we will take with us in our continued work in the BCB/EHHS branch when we consult with the companies and develop strategic initiatives,” says Head of Business Christa Lodahl, continuing: ”BRK, BCB, Virksomhedsservice, Campus Bornholm and OCB have jointly launched the project ”Ready for Energy Island Bornholm”, the purpose of which is to make Bornholm's companies and their employees adaptable and ready for Bornholm to become an Energy Island. This includes ISO certifications, skills assessments and upskilling, just as there is a focus on synergies and collaborations between large and small companies. So we have already initiated measures that support the companies, but we must of course constantly stay ahead and ensure the right offerings, to the benefit of current and future companies on Bornholm.”.
