Ørsted launches DKK60 bn capital increase with Danish state backing

Ørsted strengthens its financial structure with a rights issue backed by the state, following the failed partial sale of the US Sunrise Wind project.

Share:

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90$/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90$/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 $/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99$/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 $/year from the second year.

Ørsted A/S has announced a capital increase of 60 billion Danish kroner (DKK60 bn, $8.74 bn) through a rights issue reserved for its existing shareholders. The move comes after the cancellation of the partial sale of the Sunrise Wind offshore wind farm in the United States, deemed unviable under current market conditions. The Danish state, which holds 50.1% of the company’s capital, has confirmed its proportional participation in the fundraising.

Financial results and medium-term targets
For the first half of 2025, Ørsted reported earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of DKK15.5 bn, up 10% compared with the same period in 2024. Excluding new partnerships and cancellation fees, EBITDA reached DKK13.9 bn, a 9% year-on-year increase. Offshore site revenues rose to DKK12.5 bn, driven by the ramp-up of Gode Wind 3 and compensation related to grid connection delays at Borkum Riffgrund 3, despite below-average wind speeds. Net profit stood at DKK8.2 bn compared with DKK931 million a year earlier.

Underwriting and project financing
Unexercised rights by existing shareholders will be fully subscribed by Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc, acting as sole underwriter of the transaction. The proceeds will finance full ownership of Sunrise Wind, strengthen the financial structure and support an investment programme of DKK145 bn ($21.12 bn) over the 2025-2027 period, which is DKK15 bn higher than previous forecasts. This increase reflects the full integration of Sunrise Wind and the expected rise in costs in the US market.

Project pipeline and ongoing divestments
Between 2025 and 2027, Ørsted plans to deliver 8.1 gigawatts (GW) of offshore capacity under construction. The company maintains its annual EBITDA guidance of DKK25-28 bn for 2025, with a target of above DKK28 bn in 2026 and DKK32 bn in 2027, and an average return on capital employed (ROCE) of 11% over the period. At the same time, partial divestment processes are underway for Greater Changhua 2 (Taiwan) and Hornsea 3 (United Kingdom), along with a potential sale of its European onshore business. Ørsted aims to generate more than DKK35 bn ($5.1 bn) in divestment proceeds by 2026.

Endesa has completed the recommissioning of a wind farm in Castile and León, replacing 22 turbines with four new units, in a EUR34mn project backed by Spanish public funding.
Japan is pursuing its ambitions in floating offshore wind, despite the withdrawal of several domestic industrial players and challenges linked to costs, infrastructure and relations with the fishing sector.
ENERCON has signed a contract with Alterric to supply 13 E-175 EP5 E2 turbines, to be installed at the Kutenholz wind farm from spring 2026 as part of a repowering project.
Eurowind Energy is currently constructing nine projects in Germany, combining wind and solar, for a total capacity of 242 MW, thus strengthening its strategic investments in a key market.
Infinity Power will build a new onshore wind farm in Egypt with financing led by the EBRD and backed by several international partners.
Capstone Infrastructure has completed commissioning of the 192 MW Wild Rose 2 wind farm in Alberta, supported by long-term offtake agreements with Pembina Pipeline and the City of Edmonton.
German group Nordex has signed its first order in Ecuador to supply 19 turbines for a 112 MW wind farm, marking its entry into a little-developed Andean market.
Acciona Energía has sold its 65% stake in the Chiripa wind farm to Ecoenergía for an enterprise value of $80mn, as part of its international asset rotation strategy.
The global offshore wind market could more than double by 2030, driven by technological innovation, evolving marine substructures, and integration into high-voltage power grids.
Hive Hydrogen has received environmental authorisation for the Carissa Wind Energy Facility, now the largest permitted wind farm in South Africa with a planned capacity of 1,000 MW.
The financing supported by the European Investment Bank will enable GreenIT to develop its portfolio of onshore wind projects in Italy by 2028.
Indian wind turbine manufacturer Suzlon has secured an 838 MW contract from Tata Power Renewable Energy for a wind project spanning three states, marking its largest order of the 2025–2026 fiscal year.
With 816 MW of capacity and 140 turbines, Colbún’s Horizonte wind farm launched its commercial phase in early September after a gradual deployment over several months.
VSB Germany is developing over 800 megawatts of wind, solar, and storage projects, with 20% originating from repowering, confirming an investment strategy focused on optimising existing assets.
Danish group Ørsted will raise new funds through a rights issue to strengthen its financial structure and cover needs linked to the full ownership of the Sunrise Wind project.
Norway has received two bids for offshore sites in the Utsira Nord zone, marking a key step in the country’s floating wind development.
EDP Renováveis has completed the sale of twelve operational wind farms in France and Belgium to Amundi Transition Energétique for an enterprise value of €200mn ($215mn).
Octopus Energy has signed a strategic agreement with Ming Yang Smart Energy to deploy up to 6 GW of wind projects in the UK, combining software technology and turbines to boost local capacity.
The US government has requested the judicial cancellation of the federal permit granted in 2024 for an offshore wind project, citing impacts on commercial fishing and maritime rescue operations.
Vattenfall commits new investment to the Clashindarroch II onshore wind project, a 63MW site in Scotland set to begin construction in 2026 and deliver first power in 2027.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.