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Between 2021 and 2027, the Fund for Just Transition will invest DKK 636 million in projects in North and South Jutland. These two areas have been selected in Denmark to receive EU funds that are targeted at preventing the negative consequences of the green transition, such as job losses.

Here, North and South Jutland are particularly in the danger zone. Therefore, it is precisely here that small and medium-sized enterprises can apply for funds for green investments and for the development of competencies that will be necessary in the green transition.

Senior vice president at Semco Maritime in Esbjerg Anders Benfeldt is one of 14 members of the nomination committee of the Fund for Just Transition. The committee works with development projects in South and North Jutland, where he both works and also comes from. As the head of the Transitional Energies Division at Semco, he also has experience that extends from the oil and gas area to CCS and PtX. But it is not in that capacity that he sits on the committee.  

- I am appointed as a private individual by DI, Anders Benfeldt says about the committee work, which takes place a small handful of times a year:  

- We meet three to four times a year, and for each tender round there are some criteria that must be met by the applicants. There is a very high focus on the money being used correctly.  

More requirements for applicants

Some projects that have previously received funding include well-known projects such as Green Hub Scandinavia in Hirtshals and Kassø PtX outside Aabenraa, and at the lesser-known end there is Vrejlev Pyrolyse outside Vrå in North Jutland. However, applicants must also bring their own money when they want to do a project.  

- There is also a co-payment, which is between 50-55 percent. There has been a lot of money to apply for, and the projects often also have high value for the EU, explains Anders Benfeldt, who also mentions how much money can still be applied for:  

- There is around 130-140 million. DKK left to apply for.  

The remaining amount is uncertain for a specific reason.  

- Even though money has been allocated to a project, you only get the money when the bills come in. Some projects may not use the amounts they have been promised, explains Anders Benfeldt.  

And there is a high degree of control over how the money is spent.  

- They look with a high degree of integrity and monitoring to ensure that the money is spent correctly. There is a high degree of integrity, and the Danish Business Authority should be highly commended for that, it says.  

Companies will be hit hardest  

One of the reasons why South Jutland will be hit by the consequences of the green transition is, among other things, the upcoming shutdown of Denmark's oil and gas fields in 2050.  

- They have evaluated who will be hit. And it is to a large extent the companies that will be hit by the negative consequences of the transition. For example, when the extraction of fossil fuels stops in the North Sea. It is here in Esbjerg that the gas will stop in 2050, says Anders Benfeldt.  

The work in the committee is also something that Anders Benfeldt takes seriously.  

- We are not a rubber stamp in the recommendation committee, and you have to be critical. And I have also learned something new from it personally, he says.  

There is also good reason to be aware already next week if you have a green project up your sleeve in either South Jutland or North Jutland.  

- Watch out – keep an eye on our website, because the next tender round will be opened on January 30, says Anders Benfeldt.   See who else sits on the Foundation for Just Transition's recommendation committee in the article: See who distributes millions to the green projects.