In March 2012, the Danish Government entered into an energy agreement with all but 1 of the political parties in the Danish Parliament. By the energy agreement a large majority of the Danish Parliament decided to initiate a tendering process covering the installation of offshore wind turbines totalling 450 MW in nearshore sites. A prior information notice was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 28.9.2013 (2013/S 189-325140).
In July 2014 the Danish Government entered into a political agreement, Agreement on the withdrawal of FSA etc. and modification of the PSO of 14.7.2014, with a majority of the political parties in the Danish Parliament. As a consequence the nearshore wind farm tender was reduced from 450 MW to 350 MW and a contract notice was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 25.2.2015 (2015/S 039-065965). The tender for the construction and operation of a total capacity of up to 350 MW was a multi-site tender. This means that 6 areas (Vesterhav Nord, Vesterhav Syd, Sæby, Sejerø Bugt, Smålandsfarvandet and Bornholm) were offered for tender at the same time and that projects within these sites competed against each other. 1 site, Sejerø Bugt, was however withdrawn as an option for an offshore wind farm in the nearshore tender due to possible conflict with the habitat rules and rules on bird protection.
On 22.12.2016, concession was awarded to the winning bidder, Vattenfall A/S. Concession agreement was signed between the Danish Energy Agency and Vattenfall Vindkraft Vesterhav Syd P/S as regard the construction of the nearshore wind farm Vesterhav Syd (170 MW) as well as a concession agreement was signed between the Danish Energy Agency and Vattenfall Vindkraft Vesterhav Syd P/S, for the construction of the nearshore wind farm Vesterhav Nord (180 MW).
The contract was awarded as a concession contract following a negotiated procedure and the concessionaire shall build and operate the wind farm and the export cable to the grid connection point on the shore.
According to the Concession Contract the offshore wind farm shall be connection to the collective grid by no later than 31.12.2020.