Governors' Wind Energy Coalition

Maryland has asked for Denmark’s help in developing offshore wind farms, officials said.

Denmark is the home of the world’s biggest offshore wind farm developer, DONG Energy, and of the top two offshore wind turbine manufacturers, Siemens Wind Power and Vestas Wind Systems, both of which also have factories in the United States.

The Danish government has set aside about $1 million to pay for Danish energy experts acting as advisers to one or two industrialized countries.

The Nordic country will help Maryland navigate regulatory and risk management issues regarding the state’s tender for establishing an offshore wind farm of 200 megawatts 12.4 miles off the coast of Ocean City.

“Taking action on offshore wind positions our state for greater job creation and opportunity, while moving us forward toward a more sustainable energy future,” Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) said in a statement. His state aims to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2020.

After the first half of 2013, there were 6,000 MW of offshore wind farms installed in Europe, with 5,000 MW more under construction. Denmark has about 1,300 MW of offshore wind capacity currently installed, with 1,000 MW more to be tendered within the next year. The Nordic country hopes the cooperation with Maryland will eventually lead to job creation in Denmark as well.

“Cooperation between authorities on energy sector policies such as energy efficiency and renewables can also set the stage for Danish companies with world