As Denmark takes over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union for the second half of 2025, Rasmus Errboe, CEO & Group President of Ørsted, has voiced strong expectations for the country’s leadership, particularly in advancing Europe’s green energy agenda. His comments, originally shared on LinkedIn, highlight the critical role offshore wind will play in the coming months.

Errboe began by commending Poland for its “successful six months and a clear commitment to European security, resilience and competitiveness” during its preceding presidency. He then extended his congratulations to Denmark, emphasizing the significance of its new leadership role during a pivotal time for Europe.

As a company with deep Danish roots, Ørsted “welcomes Denmark’s leadership role,” Errboe stated. He drew a sharp contrast between Denmark’s last presidency in 2012 and the current landscape. “Back then, Europe had a total installed offshore wind capacity of around 4 GW,” he noted, a figure that has since exploded almost tenfold to over 37 GW, now powering roughly 40 million European homes. This remarkable growth, he stressed, underscores how “offshore wind has now become an indispensable component in addressing Europe’s pressing security, industrial and climate challenges.”

Ørsted, a global leader in offshore wind, is clearly aligned with the potential for further expansion. Errboe reiterated the company’s commitment to “help drive the energy transition and support Europe’s resilience, independence, growth, and security growth through the buildout of offshore wind.” He concluded by expressing excitement to “follow Denmark’s leadership for the next six months in shaping our joint European future!”

Background: Priorities of the Danish EU Presidency

Denmark’s EU presidency is expected to focus on several key areas, building on the momentum of previous presidencies while addressing current European challenges. While specific legislative priorities will be detailed in the coming weeks, overarching themes are likely to include:

  • Green Transition and Climate Action: A continued push for ambitious climate targets, accelerating the rollout of renewable energy, and strengthening the EU’s position as a leader in green technologies. This aligns perfectly with Ørsted’s expectations regarding offshore wind.

  • Security and Resilience: Bolstering Europe’s energy security, particularly in light of ongoing geopolitical events, and enhancing the EU’s overall resilience against future shocks.

  • Competitiveness and Economic Growth: Promoting a strong single market, fostering innovation, and ensuring Europe remains competitive on the global stage.

  • Strengthening European Democracy and Values: Upholding the rule of law and democratic principles across the Union.

Source: BalticWind.EU