The tunnel element factory, the construction harbour, and the adjacent land area have huge potential, according to Lolland Municipality. International investors are ready.
The Danish Parliament's decision to make the tunnel element factory in Rødbyhavn permanent opens up perspectives that could have a decisive impact on the development, not only in Eastern Denmark but throughout the entire country, says Lolland Municipality.
“Rødbyhavn could become the center of Denmark's green transition,” says Thomas Knudsen, municipal director of Lolland Municipality.
At the conference "Fehmarn Green Build & Construction Challenge" on October 10th at Engestofte Manor near Maribo, Thomas Knudsen outlined a scenario where the tunnel element factory, the associated construction harbour, and it´s upland, are developed into a gigantic industrial business district with companies that not only drive the Danish green transition but also attract foreign projects and investors.
The future dream scenario
Lolland Municipality has been working for some time on plans for this future dream scenario, which is still in a clarification phase but that currently is already attracting international interest.
Municipal Director Thomas Knudsen, along with several local business development actors, recently participated in the international investor fair Expo Real in Munich, where he met investors who not only are aware the future opportunities in Lolland, but who are also ready to invest.
“We could have sold the commercial areas already last Monday,” remarked Thomas Knudsen.
The opportunities are unique
The future scenario is still a dream, but Thomas Knudsen and Lolland Municipality believe that the potential is great and that the opportunities are unique, not only for Denmark, but also in a European perspective.
“The area around Rødbyhavn is one of the few, if not the only place, where motorway, railway, and harbour meet, where no city stands in the way of expansion, but instead, there is a large upland area that can be utilized,” says Thomas Knudsen.
If something similar were to be developed elsewhere, the approvals, etc., would take at least 20 years.
“On Lolland, we have the locations, and only an approved local plan is needed to realize the plans,” says Thomas Knudsen, who points out that expansion of offshore wind needs to increase 100-fold by 2032. A significant part of the necessary production of elements for the wind turbine industry can take place on Lolland, and this, along with other green initiatives, could create an international hub for productions based on renewable energy.