Vejle: Next Generation Business Model

Together with local and regional authorities, selected industrial sites and businesses based in Vejle pilot the Next Generation Business Model, the related business case, and to experiment with the decision-making tool. The pilot results in adjustment and improvement of the model. Additionally, the pilot strengthens the interest of participating sites and businesses in their on-site energy transition.

Vejle South Industrial Site

Industrial site Vejle South work on the next generation renewable energy business model included businesses based there. Supported by the local authority the business model and business case was piloted through the following steps:

First, companies were identified that were interested in a profitable business case based on renewable energy. A pre-project plan was made with two national consultancy institutes. Vejle Erhverv facilitated the processes throughout. The pre-project was completed in April 2025 and presented to the CEOs of the site’s companies.

Key elements of the tailored renewable energy business model:

10- 11-year payback period.
9 % ROI on solar panel investments.
Energy community with lower risk than traditional PPAs.
No extra establishment or operating costs beyond the standard electricity price.
Less volatile electricity prices.
Flexible pricing and investment timing as each company finances its own share.
With the two largest consumers on board, the model can already deliver the Vejle South energy transition.
Scalable to include private residents for greater impact.

Give

At Give the next generation renewable energy business model works on the businesses based there. Whereas in Vejle South the discussions are initiated by the municipality, in Give the companies took the initiative. Supported by the local authority the business model and business case was piloted through the following steps:

First, the idea of the energy park developed following a visit to a local gas producer and consumer. Simultaneously, a local farmer applied to build a biogas plant. Vejle Erhverv connected the companies and farmer and Give og Symbiose og Energi netværk was established with Vejle Erhverv as facelitator, The Network was facilitating meetings with companies and the University of Southern Denmark. In parallel, Vejle Municipality decided that renewable energy should be developed as integrated energy parks combining solar, wind, and biogas. Over time, more companies joined, and project developer Eurowind — one of Denmark’s largest renewable energy developers — took the lead. Eurowind aims for long-term local involvement and operation rather than selling the park, which was a key reason for their selection.

The business model, based on technical analyses, is now ready. The project will be implemented in stages:

Wind, solar, and biogas installations.
Using excess heat from biogas for district heating.
Adding hydrogen production for both heat recovery and grid balancing.

With local and national development, the model will develop further by including more companies to achieve larger-scale results.