Ørsted: Leadership Shakeup and Offshore Market Challenges

Ørsted, a Danish renewable energy specialist, is undergoing a major reshuffle following difficulties in the U.S., with the resignation of its CEO and the appointment of his deputy.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

7-Day Pass

Up to 50 articles accessible for 7 days, with no automatic renewal

3 $/week*

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles/month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 30,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

The Danish company Ørsted, renowned for its transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, is experiencing a turbulent period. The challenges encountered in the American market, along with issues in the supply chain and rising interest rates, are prompting the group to reassess its management strategy.

Context of the Shakeup

The CEO, Mads Nipper, who had been in office for four years, announced his immediate resignation. He is replaced by Rasmus Errboe, his deputy who has been with the group for 13 years. This leadership change comes at a time when Ørsted has suffered a loss of investor confidence, as evidenced by an approximately 80% drop in stock value since January 2021. Recent announcements have revealed significant impairments, notably €1.6 billion in January, due to delays in offshore wind projects in the United States.

The offshore market faces multiple obstacles.

Challenges in the Offshore Market

Delays in the Sunrise Wind project, located off the coast of Montauk in New York State, exemplify the complex regulatory and logistical environment in the U.S. The Trump administration’s decision to freeze operating permits has exacerbated these difficulties, resulting in notable financial losses for the group. Bottlenecks in the supply chain and unfavorable changes in financing conditions further complicate the implementation of wind projects.

The current challenges are prompting Ørsted to reorient its priorities.

Responses and Perspectives

In response to these issues, the board, chaired by Lene Skole, has indicated a “change in orientation” to tackle the new market constraints. The strategy adopted includes reinforcing the European portfolio, with the group set to release its annual results on February 6. Additionally, state support initiatives are being considered, with the possibility of aid to guarantee 2 to 3 GW of offshore wind capacity, addressing the difficulties encountered during a previous tender process.

The investment by the Norwegian operator Equinor, which now holds 9.8% of the capital, underscores the significance of strategic repositioning in a rapidly evolving sector.

Italian group Dolomiti Energia secures €200mn loan from the European Investment Bank to finance wind farms and modernise power infrastructure in two strategic regions of the country.
Wpd launches a crowdfunding campaign to support the construction of the Bréhand wind farm, aiming to raise €400,000 from residents with a fixed annual interest rate of 7%.
Danish group Orsted will cut a quarter of its workforce by 2027 and reduce its exposure to the United States, relying on a $9.4 billion recapitalisation to consolidate its development in Europe and Asia.
Developer Gwynt Glas enters development phase after signing a lease agreement with The Crown Estate, paving the way for a 1.5GW floating offshore wind project in Welsh waters.
From January 2026, the southern Polish city of Sosnowiec will power its municipal institutions entirely with renewable electricity under a public contract awarded to local provider Hekla Energy.
VSB France begins construction of its largest onshore wind project, a strategic 39.9 MW investment across two municipalities in Calvados, with commissioning scheduled for 2027.
Shell U.S. president stated that cancelling fully permitted wind projects severely undermines investor confidence in the energy sector.
TotalEnergies could bring EDF into the Centre Manche 2 offshore wind project after RWE’s planned withdrawal, strengthening the industrial and financial prospects of the two neighboring parks scheduled for 2032.
Envision Energy has signed an agreement to equip Kazakhstan’s largest wind power project, marking a strategic step in energy cooperation with TotalEnergies, Samruk-Energo and KazMunayGas.
The Swedish energy group aims to produce 9TWh per year with its Storlandet project, intended to meet rising demand from the mining and steel industries in the north of the country.
The two regional utilities join a JERA-led consortium to support the operation of the Ishikari Bay offshore wind farm, which entered service in early 2024.
Energy group Axpo is considering a new installation of three wind turbines in Wil, aimed at powering around 5,000 households and strengthening Switzerland's winter electricity production.
Encavis strengthens its wind portfolio in Germany with the acquisition of a Schierenberg project and the signing of four new partnerships with ABO Energy, for a joint total capacity of 106 MW.
Boralex rolls out an energy assistance scheme for residents near its wind and solar farms, with a pilot project launched in two communes in Haute-Loire.
Eiffage, through its Belgian subsidiary Smulders, will build three electrical substations to connect offshore wind farms in Brittany and the Mediterranean, under a contract exceeding €1.5bn ($1.59bn).
Envision Energy has published an environmental product declaration for two of its turbines, a milestone certified to ISO standards aimed at strengthening its position in international wind markets.
Yaway, a brand of Kallista Energy, commissions in Breteuil a very high-power charging station directly connected to wind turbines, offering a price of €0.30/kWh ($0.32/kWh) and a maximum power of 400 kW, with no subscription.
Fortescue has selected Envision Energy to supply next-generation turbines in Australia, the first step in a project targeting 2 to 3 GW of renewable generation backed by batteries.
Singapore-based developer Vena Energy has launched operations at its third wind power plant in Japan, located in Saikai, Nagasaki Prefecture, with a grid-connected capacity of 7.5 MW.
Ørsted and Korea South-East Power Co. (KOEN) have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore joint development of the 1.4 GW Incheon offshore wind project, located off South Korea’s west coast.

All the latest energy news, all the time

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

7 DAY PASS

Up to 50 items can be consulted for 7 days,
without automatic renewal

3$/week*

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.