Femern A/S recommends Rødbyhavn as production site

Femern A/S is already deciding where the tunnel elements are to be produced on account of new guidelines from the EU Commission concerning environmental approval of large construction projects. The new guidelines mean that environmental approval of the Fehmarnbelt Fixed Link and the necessary production plant for the establishment of the fixed link must be viewed within a single context and form part of an overall approval process.

Femern A/S has recently analysed the information that the company received from just over 20 locations expressing an interest in making sites available for a production facility.

Among the possible locations, Femern A/S is of the clear opinion that Rødbyhavn is the most expedient location for the production facilities. This opinion is based on the following:

• Rødbyhavn meets all the technical requirements for a production site and the site is large enough for all production of tunnel elements to take place in one location.  
• Femern A/S is in possession of all necessary environmental data to allow it to integrate the production site into its application for environmental approval as the company has carried out a two-year environmental study programme in the Rødbyhavn area. This means that the company is able to maintain the objective of opening the Fehmarnbelt Fixed Link in 2020.
• Rødbyhavn entails the fewest risks and provides the best opportunities for monitoring for the company. For example, the transport risk is minimised and the risk of complaints is limited as there is only limited extension of the group of public authorities, persons and businesses affected by the project. During the construction phase, having a location on the proposed route will give Femern A/S the best conditions for carrying out ongoing supervision and monitoring of production.

It should be stressed that the choice of Rødbyhavn should not be understood to mean that none of the other locations proposed would be suitable as a production site. A number of locations have submitted credible, well-prepared proposals for the establishment of a production site, which Femern A/S appreciates. However, as the company must take the responsibility for the location of the production site as a result of the new EU guidelines, the company has attached critical importance to choosing the location that best meets the company's requirements for technical suitability, reliability of compliance with the timetable, including in particular in relation to the environmental approval, and minimisation of risks. In the opinion of Femern A/S, this location is Rødbyhavn.