Høring: Ansøgning om etablering af et fiberoptisk kabel AURORA.

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Ansøgning om tilladelse til anlæg på søterritoriet 
 
Dette ansøgningsskema benyttes ved ansøgning om tilladelser til etablering, renovering og udvidelse 
af anlæg på søterritoriet. 
Husk at læse vejledningen på side 6, før skemaet udfyldes. 
Eventuelle spørgsmål til ansøgningsskema og vejledning rettes til Kystdirektoratet på tlf. [telefon]
eller via e-mail [email] 
 
 
Bemærk: En ansøgning kan først behandles, når alle nødvendige oplysninger foreligger. 
 
Til Kystdirektoratets notater: 
Dato for modtagelse: 
Journal nr.: 
 
Projekttype: 
Sagsbehandler: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Navn 
Arelion DENMARK A/S 
Adresse 
Arelion Denmark A/S 
[adresse] 
[postnr by] 
Denmark 
Lokalt stednavn 
Postnr. 
[postnr by] 
Nørre Nebel 
Telefon nr. 
[telefon] 
Mobil nr. 
E-mail 
[email] 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Gr. 02-04 Nr. 142a 
 
 
B. Evt. repræsentant (entreprenør, rådgiver eller lignende) 
C. Offentliggørelse af oplysninger 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Navn 
Environmental Resources Management Ltd. (ERM) 
Adresse 
2nd Floor Exchequer Court 
33 St Mary Axe 
London 
United Kingdom 
EC3A 8AA 
Lokalt stednavn 
Postnr. 
EC3A 8AA 
By 
London 
Telefon nr. 
+[telefon] [postnr by] nr. 
E-mail 
[email] 
 
 
 
 
 
Ansøger giver ved underskrift tilladelse til, at ansøgningsmaterialet må offentliggøres på Kystdirektoratets 
hjemmeside www.kyst.dk. I henhold til persondataloven vil personfølsomme oplysninger, eller 
andre oplysninger friholdt for aktindsigt, uanset denne accept ikke blive offentliggjort. 
Dato 
09/01/[postnr by] 
[navn] (Jan 9, 2026 13:57:48 GMT+1) 
 
 
 
D. Anlæggets placering 
Adresse 
Aurora is a planned subsea fibre optic telecommunication cable (hereafter referred to as the Aurora Project, or the 
subsea cable) linking the United States (US) and Denmark, with a total estimated length of 7,269 km. The subsea 
cable will be installed in the Danish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and Territorial Seas (TS). There will be one 
landing in Blaabjerg, Denmark. At the landing site the subsea cable will cross the beach and be connected to a 
Beach Manhole (BMH). Please see description and maps under point E below. 
Postnr. 
By 
The landing site will be at a 
recreational green undeveloped 
area on a land strip forming a 
barrier between the North Sea and 
Ringkøbing Fjord. 
Kommune 
Ringkøbing Skjern Municipality 
Location 
Description 
Latitude 
Longitude 
Enter 
Danish EEZ 
056° 
39.4882’ 
N 
005° 
14.8003’ E 
 
 
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Matrikel nr. og ejerlavsbetegnelse 
Ejerlav: Nr. Nebel By, Nr. Nebel 
Matrikelnr.: 0043l 
BFE nr.: 8328064 
Kommunekode: 0573 
BBR nr.: 099273 
 
Enter 
Danish TS 
056° 
06.2293’ 
N 
007° 
44.6706’ E 
Existing 
HDD duct 
exit point 
(seaward) 
055° 
55.5962’ 
N 
008° 
08.2037’ E 
Existing 
HDD duct 
entry point 
(landward) 
055° 
55.3710’ 
N 
008° 
09.0800’ E 
Existing 
055° 
008° 
BMH 
55.3720’ 
09.1080’ E 
N 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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E. Beskrivelse af anlægget i sin helhed 
Kan evt. uddybes i bilag 
Bemærk: Nødvendige bilag skal også vedlægges, se rubrik I 
Note: A full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Screening Report for the subsea cable installation activities from 
the Danish TS, up to the BMH is attached as Appendix A to the application. Further details on the Project Description 
can be found in Section 3 of the report. 
Project Proponent / Applicant 
The project proponent and application for the Denmark segment of the subsea cable will be Arelion. 
Contact information: 
[navn] 
[adresse], [postnr by], Denmark 
[email] 
[telefon] 
Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) has been awarded the contract to design, build and install the subsea cable. 
Environmental Resources Management Limited (ERM) have been contracted by ASN to obtain the necessary permits 
for installation of the subsea cable within Danish waters and for the planned subsea cable landing point at Blaabjerg in 
Denmark. 
Enquiries and contact related to the permitting should be through the consultants: 
ERM 
[navn] 
2nd Floor Exchequer Court, 33 St Mary Axe, London, United Kingdom EC3A 8AA 
[email] 
+[telefon] [postnr by] 
Note: A full project description is provided in Section 3 of Appendix A: EIA Screening Report, Denmark 
The Aurora Project 
The subsea cable type to be used is an OALC4 cable, which is a resilient subsea cable type designed specifically for 
repeatered systems. A ‘repeatered system’ is a subsea cable typically longer than 350-400 km. To prevent the optical 
signal deteriorating from the point of origin to the destination, the signal is boosted approximately every 75 km using a 
repeater. The subsea cable itself will have a maximum diameter of 37.5 mm. 
The subsea cable is insulated with high-density polyethylene; the insulation also provides abrasion resistance. In 
shallow water (normally <1,000 m water depth), the fibre unit and insulation sheath are protected by galvanised steel 
wires and layers of black polypropylene yarn for additional protection against external threats (known as armouring). 
The entirety of the subsea cable within Danish waters will be fitted with armoured protection. 
Reason for Installation of the Aurora Project 
The Aurora Project will connect between the landing in Blaabjerg, Denmark and Manasquan, New Jersey in the United 
States (US). The subsea cable will support the needs of the web-scale providers that underpin today’s international 
cloud industry. The route will enable connectivity for global carriers, cloud-based networks, data centres, information 
technology (IT) companies and the global media. There is increasing demand for high-capacity connectivity linking to 
Northern Europe, and the Aurora Project will facilitate this in combination with existing fibre optic routes. The subsea 
cable will deliver a reliable and resilient connection to support the rise of the European digital economy. It will therefore 
benefit the socio-economic conditions within Denmark. 
The Subsea Cable Route 
The subsea cable route has been designed by route engineers at ASN to be the optimum route for the subsea cable, 
taking into consideration technical, environmental and stakeholder constraints. The subsea cable route has been 
 
 
 
 
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engineered to avoid potential hazards, reduce impact to seabed users such as disruption to marine resources and 
operations, and secure long-term protection of the subsea cable. 
 
The subsea cable route and Project design have been developed and refined through two (2) main stages: 
• 
A Cable Route Study – detailed review of all factors affecting the routing of the subsea cable, including 
physical, environmental, socio-economic, and regulatory aspects; and 
• 
A Cable Route Survey – surveys of the inshore and deep-water sections of the route. 
 
The whole offshore subsea cable route is presented in Figure 1 below, with a detailed image of the landing in Blaabjerg, 
Denmark presented in Figure 2 below. There will be approximately 180 km of the subsea cable running through the 
Danish EEZ, entering from the north-west; and approximately 33 km of the subsea cable running through Danish TS. 
The subsea cable route will also traverse through both United Kingdom (UK) and Norwegian waters. 
The proposed landing site at Blaabjerg, Denmark is a recreational green undeveloped area on a land strip forming a 
barrier between the North Sea and Ringkøbing Fjord. The land strip is a large expanse of heather and heathland 
surrounded by dunes. Significantly, the Aurora Project will maximise use of existing infrastructure from a previous 
(decommissioned) subsea cable landing in order to minimise onshore installation activity and potential for 
environmental and socio-economic impacts. This includes re-use of the Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) duct and 
BMH at Blaabjerg. The existing HDD exit point (seaward) is around 150 m from the shore, while the HDD entry point 
(landward) is approximately 29 m from the existing BMH. This will allow the subsea cable to be installed at the landing 
site at Blaabjerg while minimising the Aurora Project installation activities within proximity of the Natura 2000 sites and / 
or environmentally sensitive areas. A solitary beach house is around 30 m north of the landfall area and the area may 
be used for horseback riding as there is a horse-riding centre around 300 m east of the landfall site. 
 
The landing site is close to, but is not shown to overlap with, the Natura 2000 site no. DK00CY163 (Habitats Directive 
Site - Ringkøbing Fjord og Nymindestrømmen also called SAC62), DK00CX043 (Bird Directive Site - Ringkøbing Fjord). 
The area is designated to protect different dune types and beach meadow among other habitats and has been 
considered in the EIA Screening Report. 
The proposed BMH location may be in proximity of several protected habitat types: beach meadow, decalcified fixed 
dunes with Empetrum nigrum, fixed coastal dunes with herbaceous vegetation ("grey dunes")’, and grassland. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 1 Overview of Aurora Project from US to Denmark 
 
 
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Figure 2 Blaabjerg Landing Site: Subsea Cable, Denmark 
 
Asset Crossings 
There will be one (1) crossing in Danish waters (in the EEZ) for the Aurora Project (shown in Figure 3 below). To 
support crossing agreements with existing infrastructure asset owners, the Aurora Project is proposing rock placement 
for protection of the existing asset in Danish waters. Rock placement protection will be utilised at one (1) pipeline 
crossing in the Danish EEZ, where this is required by the asset owner. The co-ordinates of the pipeline crossing and 
proposed rock placement are in Table 1 below. Rock placement is required at this crossing both pre- and post-
installation of the subsea cable over the pipeline. 
 
System Name 
Latitude 
Longitude 
Water Depth 
(m) 
Timing for Rock 
Placement 
Europipe II 
056° 
22.9583' 
N 
006° 
17.2681' 
E 
41 
Pre-installation and 
post-installation 
Table 1 Location of pipeline crossing and rock placement in the Danish EEZ 
 
 
The location of the pipeline crossing and rock placement in the Danish EEZ is shown in Figure 3 below. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Figure 3 Location of pipeline crossing in Danish EEZ 
Freshly crushed Norwegian granite will be utilised for the rock placement activities to minimise contamination risks for 
environmentally sensitive areas of the seabed. For pre-installation rock placement, it is expected that 1”-5” or 1”-3” rock 
mix will be used. Rock material produced for offshore installation generally follows the EN-13383-1 ‘Armourstone – 
Part1: Specification’ regarding material quality requirements. This standard specifies that the material “shall not contain 
any foreign matter in a quantity that will cause damage to the structure or the environment in which it is used”. The 
proposed rock type is 1-5” size filter rock layer, used in areas where 100-year storm conditions would be applied to 
wave break forces. 
The subsea cable will be protected by a recognised high-density synthetic material approximately 25 mm thick, to 
provide further separation at the crossing location between the Aurora Project and top of the pipeline. This additional 
separation will prevent direct metallic contact between the subsea cable armour and steel pipeline. 
The proposed parameters of the rock placement activities for the Aurora Project are shown below in Table 2 below, as 
well as the area footprint and quantities. Figure 4 and 5 provide an indicative cross-section profile and plan view of the 
pre-installation and post-installation rock placement activities on a flat seabed. 
Parameter 
 
Units 
Value 
Rock Placements and Protection 
Number of Pre-Installation Rock 
Placement 
No. 
1 
Number of Post-Installation Rock 
Placement 
No. 
1 
 
 
 
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Bottom Rock Berm Profile at Pre-
Installation Rock Placement* 
m 
Length: 28.8 to 30 
Height: 0.6 to 2 
Width: 4.8 to 12 
Top Rock Berm Profile at Post-
Installation Rock Placement* 
m 
Length: 44 to 50 
Height: 0.8 to 1 
Width: 4.8 to 6 
Height* 
m 
Pre-installation: 0.6 to 2 
Post-installation: 0.8 to 1 
Total 1.4 to 3 
Slope 
- 
1:3 
Type of Deposit Material 
- 
Norwegian granite 
Size of Deposit Material 
mm 
Pre-installation: 25 to 125 
Post-installation: 45 to 180 
Volume of Rock (total)* 
m3 
Pre-installation: 82.94 to 720 
Post-installation: 168.96 to 300 
Length of Separation Product 
m 
100 
Seabed 
 
Number of Vessels 
No. 
1 
Affected Seabed Footprint Area 
(total)* 
m2 
Pre-installation: 138.24 to 360 
Post-installation: 211.2 to 300 
Timings and Duration 
 
Proposed Pre-Installation Rock 
Placement Start Date 
- 
Q1 [postnr by]-Installation Rock 
Placement Start Date 
- 
Q4 [postnr by]-Installation Rock Placement 
Duration 
Days 
1 
Post-Installation Rock Placement 
Duration 
Days 
1 
Notes: 
* The dimensions of the top and bottom rock berm profiles have not been finalised and are subject to the crossing 
agreement which were under negotiation with the pipeline owner at the time of writing this document. Post- 
installation rock berm profile dimensions will be determined following post lay inspection and burials (PLIBs) that are 
performed after the subsea cable is installed. 
 
Table 2 Components for rock placement activities in Danish waters 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Figure 4 Cross-section profile of pre-installation and post-installation rock berms 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 5 Top view plan of pre-rock and post-rock berms 
 
 
 
 
 
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Expected Lifetime of the Aurora Project 
The subsea cable lifetime expectancy is approximately 25 years. At the end of the subsea cable's life the options for 
decommissioning will be evaluated. In most circumstances, the least environmentally damaging option may be to 
leave the cable in-situ. If the subsea cable is removed, it will be disposed of according to the standard agreed at that 
time; where feasible, parts of the cable will most likely be reused or recycled. 
 
EIA Screening 
An EIA screening report for the subsea cable installation activities within the Danish TS up to the BMH is provided in 
Appendix A: EIA Screening Report, Denmark. 
 
Permit Applications 
The following applications have been submitted or will be submitted shortly – see Table 3. 
Permit/Dispensation 
Authority 
Table 3 Aurora Project Permit Applications 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Permit under the Coastal Protection Act 
Danish Coastal Authority 
(Kystdirektoratet) 
Onshore EIA Construction Permit 
Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
F. Beskrivelse af planlagte arbejdsmetoder 
Kan evt. uddybes i bilag 
Subsea Cable Installation 
A full project description is provided in Section 3 Project Description, of the EIA Screening Report in Appendix A of 
the application. For a detailed description of the planned installation methodologies please refer to Section 3.4 of the 
report. 
Rock Placement 
The pre-installation rock placement at the pipeline crossing will be undertaken by a Flexible Fall Pipe Vessel (FFPV). 
The FFPV will deliver graded, crushed, rock material in a controlled manner from deck to seabed, via a flexible fall 
pipe. A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) will be located at the end of the flexible fall pipe. It will be fitted with survey 
and positioning equipment that manoeuvres the pipe to allow accurate and precise rock delivery on seabed. ROV will 
perform a video inspection to document the installation. 
Post-installation rock placement will take place after PLIBs. The purpose of the post-installation rock placement is to 
protect the Aurora Project from external damage due to activities such as fishing. The post-installation rock 
placement method will be the same as that described for the pre-installation rock placement. 
As post-installation rock berms are designed to protect the cable passing over a feature, such as a pipeline, it will 
generally be thinner and longer than the pre-installation rock berm. 
Schedule of Rock Placement 
The pre-installation rock placement within Denmark EEZ is expected to commence in Q1 2027 before the subsea 
cable is installed. Estimated duration is 1 day. 
Post-installation rock placement is expected to commence in Q4 2027 after PLIBs. Estimated duration is 1 day. 
These activities will operate on a 24-hour working schedule and will be subject to weather conditions. 
 
 
 
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Skal der i forbindelse med anlægget foretages uddybning? 
Ja 
Nej 
Hvis ja skal mængden for uddybningen angives 
m³ 
Beskrivelse af hvordan sedimentet fra uddybningen efterfølgende tænkes behandlet: 
G. Uddybning 

Gr. 02-04 Nr. 142a 
 
 
I. Nødvendige bilag 
J. Erklæring og underskrift 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Følgende bilag skal vedlægges: 
- 
Søkort med indtegnet anlæg 
- 
Matrikelkort med indtegnet anlæg 
- 
Plan- og skitsetegning over det samlede anlæg 
- 
Målsatte snittegninger over eventuelle moler, broer mv. 
- 
Målfast oversigtskort med hele anlægget indtegnet 
- 
Samtykkeerklæringer fra berørte grundejere 
Evt. andet relevant materiale: 
Appendix A: EIA Screening Report 
Appendix B: Nautical Charts and Cadastral map of the Subsea Cable Route 
Appendix C: Declaration of Consent 
Appendix D: Risk Assessment according to guidelines from the Danish Maritime Authority 
 
 
 
 
 
Undertegnede ansøger erklærer, at oplysninger, der står i ansøgningen, er i overensstemmelse med de faktiske 
forhold. 
Dato 
 09/01/[postnr by] navn (benyt blokbogstaver) 
[navn] 
Underskrift 
[navn] (Jan 9, 2026 13:57:48 GMT+1) 
 
 
 
Ansøgningen sendes med post til: 
Kystdirektoratet 
 
 
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Skal der i forbindelse med anlægget foretages opfyldning på søterritoriet? 
Ja 
Nej 
Hvis ja skal mængden af opfyldningsmateriale angives 
m³ 
Beskrivelse af opfyldningsmaterialets kvalitet: 
H. Opfyldning 

Gr. 02-04 Nr. 142a 
 
 
 
[adresse] 
Postboks 100 
[postnr by] 
Eller via e-mail: [email] 
 
 
Vejledning til ansøgningsskema 
(vedrørende ansøgning om tilladelse til anlæg på søterritoriet) 
 
Punkt A. Oplysninger om ejere 
Her anføres navn, adresse mv. på ejere af den eller de matrikler, hvor anlægget opføres på eller 
ud for. Er der flere ansøgere, kan det anføres i et vedlagt bilag. 
Punkt B. Evt. repræsentant (entreprenør, ingeniør eller lignende) 
Her anføres navn, adresse mv. på den person, der fungerer som kontaktperson (projektansvarlig) 
under sagens behandling, det kan for eksempel være et entreprenør- eller ingeniørfirma. 
Punkt C. Offentliggørelse af oplysninger 
Kystdirektoratet er forpligtiget til at orientere naboer og andre berørte parter om ansøgninger om 
tilladelse til anlæg på søterritoriet. Ved orienteringen sker der altid en videregivelse af de 
oplysninger, som er angivet i skemaet. Endvidere offentliggøres ansøgningen på Kystdirektoratets 
hjemmeside. 
 
Punkt D. Anlæggets placering 
Her anføres projektets adresse, dvs. dets fysiske placering. Det er vigtigt for sagens behandling, at 
matrikelnumre samt ejerlav angives. Disse oplysninger kan findes i ejendommens skøde eller 
indhentes fra kommunen eller på internettet, f.eks. på www.miljoportalen.dk. 
 
Punkt E. Beskrivelse af anlægget 
Her beskrives anlægget i sin helhed. Beskrivelsen skal bl.a. omfatte formål og baggrund for 
anlægget, anlæggets udformning, en beskrivelse af hvilke materialer, der anvendes til anlægget og 
overvejelser over anlæggets indvirkning på strømningsforhold og den nærliggende kyst. 
 
Til anvendelse for en screening for VVM skal beskrivelsen ligeledes belyse nedenstående forhold. 
Anlæggets 
- 
dimensioner 
- 
kumulation med andre projekter 
- 
anvendelse af naturressourcer 
- 
affaldsproduktion, forurening og gener 
- 
risiko for ulykker, navnlig under hensyn til de anvendte materialer og teknologier 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Anlæggets betydning for den miljømæssige sårbarhed i området særligt i forhold til 
- 
nuværende arealanvendelse 
- 
de tilstedeværende naturressourcers relative rigdom, kvalitet og regeneringskapacitet 
- 
det naturlige miljøs bæreevne med særlig opmærksomhed på kystområder, områder der er 
fredet eller omfattet af national og international natur- og miljøbeskyttelses 
lovgivning,tætbefolkede områder, områder der er af særlig betydning ud fra et historisk, 
kulturelt eller arkæologisk synspunkt 
 
Anlæggets potentielle påvirkninger herunder 
- 
påvirkningernes omfang (geografisk område og antal personer der berøres) 
- 
påvirkningernes grænseoverskridende karakter 
- 
påvirkningers grader og -kompleksitet 
- 
påvirkningens sandsynlighed 
- 
påvirkningens varighed, hyppighed og reversibilitet 
Beskrivelsen kan eventuelt suppleres med bilag. 
Punkt F. Beskrivelse af arbejdsmetoder 
Her angives hvilke arbejdsmetoder, der benyttes ved opførelsen af anlægget, bl.a. hvordan og 
hvornår arbejdet udføres. Angivelsen af arbejdsmetoder er vigtigt for vurderingen af anlæggets 
påvirkning på miljøet. 
Punkt G. Uddybning 
Hvis der i forbindelse med anlægget foretages en uddybning, skal det angives i kubikmeter, hvor 
stor en mængde sediment uddybningen omfatter, og ligeledes hvad der efterfølgende skal ske 
med sedimentet, f.eks. om det skal bruges til kystfodring, opfyldning mv. 
Punkt H. Opfyldning 
Hvis der i forbindelse med projektet foretages en opfyldning, skal omfanget af opfyldningen 
angives i kubikmeter materiale brugt til opfyldningen. Kvaliteten af materialet til opfyldningen skal 
belyses, specielt mht. om det er forurenet eller uforurenet materiale, der benyttes. 
Punkt I. Nødvendige bilag 
Følgende bilag skal foreligge, før en ansøgning om tilladelse til anlæg på søterritoriet kan 
behandles: 
- 
Søkort med anlægget indtegnet 
- 
Matrikelkort med anlægget indtegnet. Matrikelkort kan findes på www.miljoportalen.dk. 
Anlæg kan f.eks. indtegnes med tusch på matrikelkortet. 
- 
Plan- og skitsetegning over det samlede anlæg 
- 
Målsatte snittegninger, der gør rede for anlæggets konstruktioner. På snittegningen angives 
f.eks. konstruktionernes højde, bredde, længde mv. 
- 
Målfast oversigtskort med hele anlægget indtegnet 
- 
Samtykkeerklæringer fra ejerne af alle berørte matrikler skal vedlægges, hvis anlægget 
strækker sig over mere end ansøger / ejers matrikel. Hvis en repræsentant for ejeren, f.eks. 
entreprenør- eller ingeniørfirma søger om tilladelse til anlægget på ejerens vegne, skal 
ansøgningen desuden vedlægges en samtykkeerklæring fra ejeren om, at han er 
indforstået med dennes repræsentation, samt at han er indforstået med, at anlægget 
opføres på hans ejendom. 
 
 
 
Kystdirektoratet • [adresse] • [postnr by] 
Tlf. [telefon]• CVR [telefon]• EAN (drift)5798000893313 • EAN (anlæg)5798009812599 • [email] • www.kyst.dk 
14 

Gr. 02-04 Nr. 142a 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Er der i forbindelse med anlægget lavet en strømningsanalyse eller lignende, er det hensigts-
mæssigt at vedlægge den/dem som bilag for at belyse sagen bedst muligt. 
 
Hvis der er spørgsmål til ansøgningsskemaet, kan Kystdirektoratet kontaktes på tlf. [telefon]
eller på email: [email] 
 
Kystdirektoratet 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kystdirektoratet • [adresse] • [postnr by] 
Tlf. [telefon]• CVR [telefon]• EAN (drift)5798000893313 • EAN (anlæg)5798009812599 • [email] • www.kyst.dk 
15 

 
 
 
CLIENT: ASN 
PROJECT NO: 0715845 
DATE: 30 January 2025 
VERSION: 01 
Page 1 
Aurora Project: 
Denmark 
Appendix A: EIA Screening Report 
  
  
 
  
 
PREPARED FOR 
 
ASN 
DATE 
30 January 2025 
REFERENCE 
0715845 

 
CLIENT: ASN 
PROJECT NO: 0715845 
DATE: 30 January 2025 
VERSION: 01 
 
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DOCUMENT TITLE 
Aurora Project: Denmark  
DOCUMENT SUBTITLE 
Appendix A: EIA Screening Report 
PROJECT NUMBER 
0715845  
Date 
30 January [postnr by] 
01 
Author 
ERM 
Client name 
ASN 
 
DOCUMENT HISTORY 
 
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VERSION 
REVISION 
AUTHOR 
REVIEWED BY 
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DATE 
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[navn] 
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CLIENT: ASN 
PROJECT NO: 0715845 
DATE: 30 January 2025 
VERSION: 01 
 
SIGNATURE PAGE 
Aurora Project: Denmark 
Appendix A: EIA Screening Report 
0715845 
 
[navn] 
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AURORA PROJECT: DENMARK 
 
PROJECT NO: 0715845 
DATE: 30 January 2025 
VERSION: 01     
Page i 
CONTENTS 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
1 
1. 
INTRODUCTION 
0 
1.1 
OVERVIEW 
0 
1.2 
RESPONSIBLE PARTIES 
0 
1.3 
OBJECTIVE OF THE REPORT 
1 
1.4 
OUTLINE OF THE REPORT 
1 
2. 
LEGAL FRAMEWORK 
2 
2.1 
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS, GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS 
2 
2.2 
NATIONAL LEGISLATION 
6 
2.3 
PERMIT REQUIREMENTS 
8 
2.3.1 
Establishment Permit 
8 
2.3.2 
Onshore Permit 
8 
3. 
PROJECT DESCRIPTION 
9 
3.1 
PROJECT LOCATION 
9 
3.2 
ONSHORE LOCATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE 
12 
3.2.1 
The landing site 
12 
3.2.2 
Beach manhole and Horizontal Directional Drilling Duct 
15 
3.3 
OFFSHORE INFRASTRUCTURE 
16 
3.3.1 
The Subsea Fibre Optic Cable 
16 
3.3.2 
Repeaters 
17 
3.3.3 
Additional Protection 
18 
3.4 
PROJECT ACTIVITIES 
20 
3.4.1 
Pre-Installation Activities 
20 
3.4.2 
Installation activities 
23 
3.4.3 
Subsea Cable Operation and Maintenance 
34 
3.4.4 
Retirement, Abandonment or Decommissioning 
34 
3.5 
PROJECT SCHEDULE 
35 
4. 
EIA SCREENING 
37 
4.1 
MARINE PHYSICAL PROCESSES 
37 
4.1.1 
Baseline 
37 
4.1.2 
Effects Assessment 
40 
4.1.3 
Screening Outcomes 
41 
4.2 
WATER AND SEDIMENT QUALITY 
42 
4.2.1 
Baseline 
42 
4.2.2 
Effects Assessment 
50 
4.2.3 
Screening Outcomes 
51 
4.3 
BENTHIC ECOLOGY 
52 
4.3.1 
Baseline 
52 
4.3.2 
Effects Assessment 
58 
4.3.3 
Screening Outcomes 
59 
4.4 
FISH AND SHELLFISH ECOLOGY 
60 
4.4.1 
Baseline 
60 
4.4.2 
Effects Assessment 
65 

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4.4.3 
Screening Outcomes 
66 
4.5 
TERRESTRIAL AND INTERTIDAL ECOLOGY 
66 
4.5.1 
Baseline 
66 
4.5.2 
Effects Assessment 
67 
4.5.3 
Screening Outcomes 
69 
4.6 
MARINE MAMMALS 
70 
4.6.1 
Baseline 
70 
4.6.2 
Effects Assessment 
71 
4.6.3 
Screening Outcomes 
72 
4.7 
OFFSHORE ORNITHOLOGY 
73 
4.7.1 
Baseline 
73 
4.7.2 
Effects Assessment 
74 
4.7.3 
Screening Outcomes 
75 
4.8 
AVIATION AND RADAR 
75 
4.8.1 
Baseline 
75 
4.8.2 
Screening Outcomes 
76 
4.9 
NOISE AND VIBRATION 
76 
OFFSHORE ENVIRONMENT 
76 
4.9.1 
Baseline 
76 
4.9.2 
Effects Assessment 
76 
4.9.3 
Screening Outcomes 
77 
ONSHORE ENVIRONMENT 
78 
4.9.4 
Baseline 
78 
4.9.5 
Effects Assessment 
78 
4.9.6 
Screening Outcomes 
79 
4.10 SEASCAPE, LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL AMENITY 
79 
OFFSHORE ENVIRONMENT 
80 
4.10.1 
Baseline 
80 
4.10.2 
Effects Assessment 
80 
4.10.3 
Screening Outcomes 
80 
ONSHORE ENVIRONMENT 
80 
4.10.4 
Baseline 
80 
4.10.5 
Effects Assessment 
80 
4.10.6 
Screening Outcomes 
81 
4.11 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES 
81 
4.11.1 
Baseline 
81 
4.11.2 
Effects Screening 
84 
4.11.3 
Screening Outcomes 
86 
4.12 SHIPPING AND NAVIGATION 
86 
4.12.1 
Baseline 
87 
4.12.2 
Effects Assessment 
89 
4.12.3 
Screening Outcomes 
90 
4.13 MARINE ARCHAEOLOGY 
90 
4.13.1 
Baseline 
91 
4.13.2 
Effects Assessment 
93 
4.13.3 
Screening Outcomes 
94 
4.14 TERRESTRIAL ARCHAEOLOGY 
94 
4.14.1 
Baseline 
95 
4.14.2 
Effects Assessment 
96 
4.14.3 
Screening Outcomes 
96 
4.15 OTHER USERS 
96 

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Page iii 
4.15.1 
Baseline 
97 
4.15.2 
Effects Assessment 
98 
4.15.3 
Screening Outcomes 
99 
4.16 CUMULATIVE EFFECTS 
99 
4.16.1 
Baseline 
99 
4.16.2 
Effects Assessment 
100 
4.16.3 
Screening Outcomes 
100 
4.17 DESIGNATED SITES FOR NATURE CONSERVATION: NATURA 2000 SITES 
100 
4.17.1 
Ringkøbing Fjord Special Protection Area / Ramsar 
101 
4.17.2 
Ringkøbing Fjord og Nymindestrømmen Special Area of Conservation 
101 
4.18 TRANSBOUNDARY IMPACTS 
101 
5. 
CONCLUSION 
103 
5.1 
MITIGATION MEASURES 
103 
6. 
REFERENCES 
105 
ANNEX 1 
AS-BUILT HDD DUCT DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS 
 
LIST OF TABLES 
TABLE  1 
SUMMARY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL SCREENING 
3 
TABLE 2-1 
LIST OF RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND REGULATIONS 
2 
TABLE 2-2 
RELEVANT LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK FOR SUBSEA CABLE INSTALLATION IN DANISH 
WATERS 
6 
TABLE 3-1 
DENMARK SUBSEA CABLE LOCATIONS 
9 
TABLE 3-2 
DETAILS AND LOCATIONS OF OUT-OF-SERVICE CABLES 
21 
TABLE 3-3 
PROPOSED INSTALLATION DURATION FROM THE BMH TO THE DANISH TERRITORIAL 
SEAS BOUNDARY 
35 
TABLE 4-2 
ECOLOGICAL STATUS OF WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECIVE WATER BODIES LOCATED 
WITHIN 1 NAUTICAL MILE OF THE DANISH COAST AND DESIGNATED PROTECTED 
SITES 
47 
TABLE 4-3 
EXISTING CONDITIONS CONSIDERING WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE QUALITY 
ELEMENTS 
48 
TABLE 4-4 
DANISH ACTION LEVELS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES 
48 
TABLE 4-5 
POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS ON WATER AND SEDIMENT QUALITY 
50 
TABLE 4-6 
EUNIS HABITATS PRESENT ALONG THE SUBSEA CABLE 
55 
TABLE 4-7 
POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS ON BENTHIC ECOLOGY 
58 
TABLE 4-8 
ECOLOGY INFORMATION FOR THE FISH SPECIES WITH SPAWNING GROUNDS WHICH 
OVERLAP WITH THE SUBSEA CABLE ROUTE 
63 
TABLE 4-9 
POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS ON FISH AND SHELLFISH ECOLOGY 
RECEPTOR GROUPS 
65 
TABLE 4-10 
POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS ON TERRESTRIAL AND INTERTIDAL 
ECOLOGY 
67 

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TABLE 4-11 
POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS ON MARINE MAMMALS 
72 
TABLE 4-12 
POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS ON OFFSHORE ORNITHOLOGY 
74 
TABLE 4-13 
POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS ON NOISE AND VIBRATION IN OFFSHORE 
ENVIRONMENT 
76 
TABLE 4-14 
POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS ON NOISE AND VIBRATION IN ONSHORE 
ENVIRONMENT 
78 
TABLE 4-15 
POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS ON COMMERCIAL FISHERIES 
84 
TABLE 4-16 
POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS ON SHIPPING AND NAVIGATION 
90 
TABLE 4-17 
POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS ON MARINE ARCHAEOLOGY 
93 
TABLE 4-18 
RECOMMENDED ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCLUSION ZONE (PROJECT SPECIFIC 
PROJECTION; WGS84 MERCATOR) 
94 
TABLE 4-19 
POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS ON TERRESTRIAL ARCHAEOLOGY 
96 
TABLE 4-20 
POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS ON OTHER USERS 
98 
 
 
LIST OF FIGURES 
FIGURE 3-1 
SUBSEA CABLE OVERVIEW: DANISH EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE 
10 
FIGURE 3-2 
BLAABJERG LANDING SITE: SUBSEA CABLE, DENMARK 
11 
FIGURE 3-3 
HORIZONTAL DIRECTIONAL DRILLING DUCT ENTRY AND EXIT POINTS AT LANDING 
SITE IN BLAABJERG, DENMARK 
13 
FIGURE 3-4 
KNOWN PROPOSED AND EXISTING PROTECTED AREAS, AND SENSITIVE HABITATS 
IN DANISH EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE AND TERRITORIAL SEAS 
14 
FIGURE 3-5 
IMAGE OF EXISTING BEACH MANHOLE WITH TWO ACCESS HATCHES 
15 
FIGURE 3-6 
VIEW TOWARDS NORTH-EAST ACROSS THE BEACH MANHOLE AND HORIZONTAL 
DIRECTIONAL DRILLING DUCT AT BLAABJERG, DENMARK 
16 
FIGURE 3-7 
EXAMPLE OF A SINGLE AND DOUBLE ARMOUR FIBRE OPTIC CABLE 
16 
FIGURE 3-8 
EXAMPLE OF A REPEATER AND FIBRE OPTIC CABLE 
18 
FIGURE 3-9 
ARTICULATED PIPE AND TYPICAL SPECIFICATIONS 
19 
FIGURE 3-10 EXAMPLE OF SUBSEA CABLE CLAMPS AND INSTALLATION 
20 
FIGURE 3-11 TYPICAL EXAMPLE OF GRAPNELS USED FOR THE ROUTE CLEARANCE OPERATIONS 22 
FIGURE 3-12 DIAGRAM SHOWING SECTION OF CUT OUT-OF-SERVICE CABLE TO BE RECOVERED
 
 
22 
FIGURE 3-13 TYPICAL INSTALLATION VESSEL 
24 
FIGURE 3-14 A SEA PLOUGH READY TO BE DEPLOYED FROM INSTALLATION VESSEL 
25 
FIGURE 3-15 TYPICAL PLOUGHING CONFIGURATION 
25 
FIGURE 3-16 SCHEMATIC OF A SEA PLOUGH AND PLOUGH FOOTPRINT 
26 
FIGURE 3-17 ROV DEPLOYMENT FROM THE VESSEL 
27 
FIGURE 3-18 POST-LAY BURIAL USING A TRACKED REMOTELY OPERATED VEHICLE 
28 

AURORA PROJECT: DENMARK 
 
PROJECT NO: 0715845 
DATE: 30 January 2025 
VERSION: 01     
Page v 
FIGURE 3-19 TYPICAL SHALLOW DRAFT VESSEL OR BARGE 
29 
FIGURE 3-20 INDICATIVE PLAN OF WORKING AREA FOR TRENCHING BETWEEN HORIZONTAL 
DIRECTIONAL DRILLING DUCT ENTRY POINT (LANDWARD) AND BEACH MANHOLE 30 
FIGURE 3-21 TYPICAL WINCH EQUIPMENT 
31 
FIGURE 3-22 PLAN VIEW OF PROPOSED SHORE-END LANDING PULLING WINCH LOCATION 
32 
FIGURE 3-23 MOBILE REMOTELY OPERATED VEHICLE CRAWLER 
33 
FIGURE 4-1 SEABED GEOLOGY, AND MARINE PHYSICAL PROCESSES STUDY AREA, AURORA 
PROJECT, DANISH NORTH SEA 
39 
FIGURE 4-2 
DISSOLVED INORGANIC NITROGEN (LEFT) AND DISSOLVED INORGANIC 
PHOSPHOROUS (RIGHT) IN THE DANISH NORTH SEA (1990-2014) 
44 
FIGURE 4-3 
WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE WATER BODIES LOCATED WITHIN 1 NAUTICAL MILE 
OF THE DANISH COAST AND LOCATED WITHIN 2 KILOMETRES OF THE AURORA 
PROJECT STUDY AREA 
46 
FIGURE 4-4 
ARINE CONTAMINANTS IN THE DANISH NORTH SEA 
50 
FIGURE 4-5 
EUNIS BIOTOPES PRESENT ALONG THE SUBSEA CABLE 
54 
FIGURE 4-6 
KNOWN PROPOSED AND EXISTING PROTECTED AREAS, AND SENSITIVE HABITATS 
IN DANISH EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE AND TERRITORIAL SEAS 
57 
FIGURE 4-7 
FISH SPAWNING GROUNDS WHICH OVERLAP WITH THE SUBSEA CABLE ROUTE 
62 
FIGURE 4-8 
THE NUMBER OF DANISH COMMERCIAL FISHING VESSELS BY VESSEL TYPE AND 
LENGTH CLASS, WITH A HOME PORT IN HVIDE SANDS, THORSMINDE AND 
THYBORON (2019-2023) 
82 
FIGURE 4-9 
FISHING EFFORT BY VESSELS UTILISING BEAM TRAWLS, DREDGES, OTTER TRAWLS 
AND SEINE NETS (EUROPEAN UNION AND UNITED KINGDOM VESSELS >12 METRES) 
(2017 TO 2020) 
83 
FIGURE 4-10  SHIPPING DENSITY IN DANISH EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE AND TERRITORIAL 
SEAS 
88 
 

AURORA PROJECT: DENMARK 
 
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DATE: 30 January 2025 
VERSION: 01     
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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS 
Acronyms and 
Abbreviations 
Description 
˚C 
Degrees Celsius 
µM 
micromolar 
AoI 
Area of Interest 
As 
Arsenic 
ASN 
Alcatel Submarine Networks 
BMH 
Beach Manhole 
BPEO 
Best Practicable Environmental Option 
BSH 
Broad-Scale Habitat 
BWM Convention 
International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast 
Water and Sediments 
Cd 
Cadmium  
CGNS 
Celtic and Greater North Sea 
CLS 
Cable Landing Station 
cm 
Centimetres 
COLREGs 
Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 
Cr 
Chromium  
CRS 
Cable Route Survey 
Cu 
Copper  
CWSS 
Common Wadden Sea Secretariat 
DCA 
Danish Coastal Authority 
DIN 
Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen 
DIP 
Dissolved Inorganic Phosphorous 
DKCPC 
Danish Cable Protection Committee 
DMA 
Danish Maritime Authority 
EEA 
European Environment Agency 
EEZ 
Exclusive Economic Zone 
EIA 
Environmental Impact Assessment 
EPS 
European Protected Species 
EQS 
Environmental Quality Standards 
EQSD 
Environmental Quality Standards Directive 
ERM 
Environmental Resources Management 
EU 
European Union 
EU2020 
Europe [postnr by] 
EUNIS 
European Nature Information System 

AURORA PROJECT: DENMARK 
 
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Acronyms and 
Abbreviations 
Description 
FSA 
Formal Safety Assessment 
GES 
Good Ecological Status 
HDD 
Horizontal Directional Drilling 
Hg 
Mercury  
HMWB 
Heavily Modified Water Body 
HP 
Horsepower 
ICES 
International Council for the Exploration of the Sea 
ICPC 
International Cable Protection Committee  
IHR 
International Health Regulations 
ILO 
International Labour Organisation 
IMO 
International Maritime Organization 
INNS 
Invasive Non-Native Species 
ITU 
International Telecommunications Union 
kg 
Kilograms 
kJ 
Kilojoules 
km 
Kilometres 
LSE 
Likely Significant Effect 
m 
Metres 
MAJ 
Marine Archaeology at Strandings Museet 
MARPOL 73/78 
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 
MDA 
Medium double armour cable 
MHWS 
Mean High Water Springs 
mm 
Millimetres 
MSFD 
Marine Strategy Framework Directive 
MSP 
Maritime Spatial Plan 
MU 
Management Unit 
NGO 
Non-Governmental Organisation 
Ni 
Nickel 
nm 
Nautical Mile 
NtM 
Notice to Mariners 
OOS 
Out-of-Service 
OPRC 
International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response, and Co-
operation 
OSH 
Occupational Safety and Health 
PAH 
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon 

AURORA PROJECT: DENMARK 
 
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VERSION: 01     
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Acronyms and 
Abbreviations 
Description 
Pb 
Lead  
PCB 
Polychlorinated Biphenyl 
PEXA 
Exercise areas and danger areas 
PLB 
Post-lay burial 
PLGR 
Pre-Lay Grapnel Run 
PLI 
Post-lay inspection 
PLIB 
Post-Lay Inspection and Burial 
PLSE 
Pre-Laid Shore End 
PoP 
Point-of-Presence 
PP 
Polypropylene 
PRIB 
Post-Repair Inspection and Burial 
PSU 
Practical Salinity Units 
PVC 
Polyvinyl Chloride 
RC 
Route Clearance 
ROV 
Remotely operated vehicle 
SAC 
Special Area of Conservation 
SAL 
Lightweight single armour cable 
SCI 
Sites of Community Importance 
SEL 
Shore-End Landing 
SLVA 
Seascape, Landscape and Visual Amenity 
SOLAS 
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 
SPA 
Special Protection Area 
SSC 
Suspended Sediment Concentration 
SST 
Sea surface temperatures 
TAEZ 
Temporary archaeological exclusion zone 
TBT 
Tributyltin 
TS 
Territorial Sea 
UK 
United Kingdom 
UKHO 
United Kingdom Hydrographic Office 
UNCLOS 
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 
UNEP 
United Nations Environment Program 
UNESCO 
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization 
US 
United States 
UXO 
Unexploded ordnances 

AURORA PROJECT: DENMARK 
 
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Acronyms and 
Abbreviations 
Description 
VTS 
Vessel traffic service 
WFD 
Water Framework Directive 
WHO 
World Health Organisation 
WMP 
Waste Management Plan 
WWII 
World War II 
Zn 
Zinc 
 
 

AURORA PROJECT: DENMARK 
 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
 
CLIENT: ASN 
 
PROJECT NO: 0715845 
DATE: 30 January 2025 
VERSION: 01 
Page 1 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) has been awarded the contract to design, build and install 
the Aurora Project, which is a planned subsea fibre optic cable connecting landings in the 
United States (US) and Denmark, traversing through United Kingdom (UK) and Norwegian 
waters. ERM has been contracted by ASN to provide support with obtaining the appropriate 
permits and consents, including the production of this Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) 
Screening Report for the installation of the Danish segment of the Aurora fibre optic 
telecommunication cable system (i.e. the Aurora Project). The Danish segment of the Aurora 
Project passes through Danish Territorial Seas (TS) to an already established Beach Manhole 
(BMH) located in Blaabjerg, Denmark, making use of the existing nearshore Horizontal 
Directional Drilling (HDD) duct to come onshore.  
This EIA Screening Report provides a Project Description of the Aurora Project (Section 3), 
and EIA screening (Section 4) for any potential effects of the Aurora Project on receptors in 
the onshore environment and offshore Danish TS. Within this EIA Screening Report, only 
receptors within the onshore environment (i.e. from existing infrastructure [BMH to the HDD 
duct entry point (landward)]) and Danish TS (i.e. from the HDD duct exit point (seaward) to 
the limit of Danish TS) have been considered, as the laying of subsea cables in the Exclusive 
Economic Zone (EEZ) beyond the TS is governed by the United Nations Convention on the Law 
of the Sea (UNCLOS), therefore the EEZ is not considered within the Danish Establishment 
Permit application. 
Section 4 of this report details the EIA screening conducted, including a baseline, effects 
assessment and screening outcome for each topic. Within each topic, the potential for any 
significant effects of the Aurora Project on the identified baselines is considered, taking into 
consideration any embedded mitigation measures such as avoidance of sensitive areas through 
advanced route planning and the re-use of existing infrastructure wherever feasible (see 
Section 5.1). 
This EIA Screening Report concludes that the impacts of the Aurora Project on any associated 
environmental and socio-economic receptors are highly localised in extent and temporary in 
duration. Where potential impacts cannot be fully screened out taking into account any 
uncertainty in scheduling or variations in baseline information, such as the potential presence 
of otter holts or possible overlap with the tern breeding season, the precautionary principle has 
been applied and the potential for effects has been described together with any recommended 
mitigation measures. 
Overall, the footprint of impact from subsea cable installation is narrow, generally restricted to 
a corridor of a few metres width along the subsea cable route, and impacts from the 
installation are temporary and of a small scale. Once installed, the Aurora Project will be buried 
below the seabed wherever conditions allow, therefore, having no potential pathways for effect 
on many of the receptors. 
It has been concluded based on the findings of this EIA Screening Report, that the Aurora 
Project has no potential for significant effects on the majority of physical, biological and human 
receptors. There is considered to be a low potential for effects on marine physical processes, 
commercial fisheries and marine archaeology; however any potential effects are expected to 
be highly localised and temporary. 

AURORA PROJECT: DENMARK 
 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
 
CLIENT: ASN 
 
PROJECT NO: 0715845 
DATE: 30 January 2025 
VERSION: 01 
Page 2 
While there remains the potential for effects due to disturbance and temporary loss of habitat 
and foraging opportunities for otter and tern, the potential impacts are limited due to the use 
of existing infrastructure and small area of disturbance, as well as the short period of 
installation activity. Additional mitigation measures should include pre-installation visual survey 
for presence of otter holts and tern nests (where overlap with the tern nesting season cannot 
be avoided) and clear demarcation of work areas and control of vehicle movements. 
On this basis, the Aurora Project can be screened out of requiring further consideration and 
assessment in an EIA.  
A summary of the environmental screening from Section 4 for potential for significant effects 
is presented in Table 1.

AURORA PROJECT: DENMARK 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
 
CLIENT: ASN 
PROJECT NO: 0715845 
DATE: 30 January 2025 
VERSION: 01 
Page 3 
TABLE 1 
SUMMARY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL SCREENING 
Receptor 
Potential 
for 
Significant 
Effect 
Comment 
Marine Physical Processes 
(Section 4.1) 
 
Considerations have been given to the below impacts:  
• 
Increase in suspended sediment concentration (SSC); 
• 
Changes to the sediment transport system; 
• 
Changes to the coastal and seabed morphology; and  
• 
Changes to the wave regime or tidal currents within the Study Area. 
Based on the assessment, there is Low potential for Significant Effects on marine physical 
processes. 
Water Sediment Quality  
(Section 4.2) 
 
Considerations have been given to the below impacts:  
• 
Decrease in water quality from temporary increase of total SSC and siltation; 
• 
Decrease in water and sediment quality from accidental release of pollutants from vessels 
and plant machinery; 
• 
Decrease in water and sediment quality from release of seabed contaminants through 
sediment disturbance;  
• 
Decrease of designated water bodies status (under the Water Framework Directive [WFD]) 
due to degradation of quality elements and statutory receptors; and  
• 
Decrease in bathing waters classification due to a decrease in water quality. 
Based on the assessment, and having carried out a WFD compliance assessment, No Significant 
Effects are expected from any of the impacts on any of the water and sediment quality 
receptors. 
Benthic Ecology  
(Section 4.3) 
 
Considerations have been given to the below impacts:  
• 
Temporary habitat disturbance; 
• 
Long-term temporary loss of habitat; 
• 
Temporary increase in SSC, turbidity, and siltation;  
• 
Accidental release of pollutants from vessels; 
• 
Accidental release of contaminants through sediment disturbance; 
• 
Introduction and colonisation of infrastructure by Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS); and 
• 
Long-term changes in physical processes. 
Based on the assessment, No Significant Effects are expected from any of the impacts on any 
of the benthic ecology receptor groups. 
Fish and Shellfish Ecology  
(Section 4.4) 
 
Considerations have been given to the below impacts:  
• 
Direct damage; 
• 
Habitat disturbance; 

AURORA PROJECT: DENMARK 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
 
CLIENT: ASN 
 
PROJECT NO: 0715845 
DATE: 30 January 2025 
VERSION: 01 
Page 4 
Receptor 
Potential 
for 
Significant 
Effect 
Comment 
• 
Smothering due to suspended sediments; and 
• 
Underwater noise. 
Based on the assessment, No Significant Effects are expected from any of the impacts on any 
of the fish and shellfish ecology receptor groups. 
Terrestrial and Intertidal Ecology  
(Section 4.5) 
 
Considerations have been given to the below impacts:  
• 
Vessel or machine related displacement; 
• 
Temporary loss of habitat and foraging opportunities; and 
• 
Sediment plumes. 
Based on the assessment, No Significant Effects are expected on waders. It cannot be 
determined that there will be No Significant Effects to otters and terns from machine related 
disturbance and temporary loss of habitat and foraging opportunities given uncertainties in 
timing and detailed baseline data; however, the area of disturbance is small and the period of 
installation activity is very short. The application of additional recommended mitigation measures 
will further reduce any potential for interaction with these species. 
Marine Mammals  
(Section 4.6) 
 
Considerations have been given to the below impacts:  
• 
Noise and vibration; 
• 
Vessel collision and displacement; and 
• 
Temporary loss of habitat and foraging opportunities. 
Based on the assessment, No Significant Effects are expected from any of the impacts on any 
of the marine mammal receptor groups. 
Offshore Ornithology  
(Section 4.7) 
 
Considerations have been given to the below impacts:  
• 
Habitat removal or alteration leading to secondary loss of foraging; 
• 
Vessel related disturbance; 
• 
Noise and vibration; and 
• 
Sediment plumes. 
Based on the assessment, No Significant Effects are expected from any of the impacts on any 
of the offshore ornithology receptor groups. 
Aviation and Radar 
(Section 4.8) 
 
Considerations have been given to impacts on aviation and radar receptors, such as: 
• 
Physical obstruction to military aircrafts; and 
• 
Interference with aviation radar systems. 
Based on the assessment, No Significant Effects are expected from any of the impacts on 
aviation and radar. 

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Noise and Vibration 
(Section 4.9) 
 
Considerations have been given to the below impacts:  
For offshore - 
• 
Disturbance due to airborne noise and vibration; and 
• 
Disturbance due to underwater noise and vibration. 
For onshore - 
• 
Disturbance to human associated receptors (residential / recreational areas) through airborne 
and ground-borne noise and vibration; and 
• 
Disturbance to environmental receptors (protected / sensitive species) through airborne and 
ground-borne noise and vibration. 
Based on the assessment, No Significant Effects are expected from any of the impacts on noise 
and vibration onshore and / or offshore. 
Seascape, Landscape and Visual 
Amenity (SLVA) 
(Section 4.10) 
 
Considerations have been given to the below impacts:  
For offshore - 
• 
Seascape / landscape as a resource in its own right (caused by changes to its constituent 
elements, its specific aesthetic or perceptual qualities and / or its character). 
For onshore - 
• 
Views and visual amenity as experienced by people (caused by changes in the appearance of 
the seascape / landscape). 
Based on the assessment, No Significant Effects are expected from any of the impacts on SLVA 
onshore and / or offshore. 
Commercial Fisheries 
(Section 4.11) 
 
Considerations have been given to the below impacts:  
• 
Direct impacts to the commercial fishing industry, such as: 
° 
Loss or restricted access to fishing grounds; 
° 
Displacement of fishing activity into other areas; 
° 
Interference with fishing activity; and 
° 
Loss or damage to fishing gear due to snagging. 
• 
Indirect impacts to commercial fisheries resources. 
Based on the assessment, there is Low potential for Significant Effects to occur from the 
impacts of the Aurora Project on commercial fisheries receptor groups. 
Shipping and Navigation 
(Section 4.12) 
 
Considerations have been given to the below impacts:  
• 
Vessel-to-vessel collisions, due to the presence of the Aurora Project related vessel(s) and 
displacement of local vessels; 
• 
Direct collisions with the Aurora Project infrastructure, and associated snagging risks; 

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• 
Disruption to pre-existing navigational management during installation, operation and 
maintenance, and decommissioning where activities may be taking place in key anchorages 
or waiting areas; and 
• 
Disruption to search and rescue operations, where search and rescue vessels may have to re-
route due to presence of Aurora Project activities and associated vessels. 
Based on the assessment, and consideration to the low level of activity, short duration of 
installation work in the Danish TS and adherence to standard maritime safety procedures, the 
Aurora Project is considered to have No Significant Effects on shipping and navigation. 
Marine Archaeology 
(Section 4.13) 
 
Considerations have been given to the below impacts:  
• 
Direct physical impacts – the damage or full removal of a cultural heritage asset through 
installation, operation and maintenance, or decommissioning e.g. during the pre-lay grapnel 
run (PLGR) or subsea cable burial, or by the placement of protection measures on the 
seabed; and  
• 
Indirect physical impacts – the potential burial, destabilisation or damage of a cultural 
heritage asset due to physical changes indirectly caused by installation, operation and 
maintenance, or decommissioning e.g. changes in seabed sediment level or current flow.   
Based on the assessment and taking account of potential uncertainties in baseline information, 
the Aurora Project is considered to have No Significant Effects to known or unknown 
submerged prehistory, maritime archaeology, and aviation archaeology from direct physical 
impacts. Similarly, the Aurora Project is considered to have No Significant Effects to known or 
unknown archaeology from the subsea cable route from indirect physical impacts. 
Terrestrial Archaeology  
(Section 4.14) 
 
Considerations have been given to the below impacts:  
• 
Direct physical impacts – damage / removal wholly or in part, of a cultural heritage asset 
through installation, operation and maintenance, or decommissioning e.g. limited onshore 
burial of the subsea cable and any associated infrastructure;  
• 
Indirect physical impacts – damage / removal wholly or in part, a cultural heritage asset due 
to physical changes indirectly caused by installation, operation and maintenance, or 
decommissioning; and 
• 
Impacts to setting – changes to the setting of a designated cultural heritage asset within its 
landscape or seascape. 
There are anticipated to be No Significant direct, indirect or setting effects to terrestrial 
archaeology and/or heritage assets from the Aurora Project. 
Other Users 
(Section 4.15) 
 
Considerations have been given to the below impacts:  

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• 
Direct damage to third party infrastructure, this has the potential to occur during installation 
where cable crossings are identified;  
• 
Temporary obstruction and / or displacement of other users activities, this has the potential 
to occur across all Aurora Project phases due to avoidance of installation vessel and / or 
vehicles and exclusion from safety zones; and  
• 
Increased SSC at aquaculture sites during installation activities.  
Based on the assessment, the Aurora Project is considered to have No Significant Effects on 
other users within the offshore TS and the onshore area surrounding the proposed Danish 
segment of the Aurora Project. 
Cumulative Effects 
(Section 4.16) 
 
Considerations have been given to the below impacts:  
• 
Underwater noise generated from the Aurora Project vessel sources affecting marine 
mammals; 
• 
Seabed habitat change from a number of seabed installations (e.g. future pipelines and 
cables); and 
• 
Seabed disturbance / sediment dispersion from cable / pipeline installation activities.  
Based on the assessment, No Significant Effects are expected from the Aurora Project, 
cumulatively with other projects in the region. 
Designated Sites for Natural 
Conservation 
(Section 4.17) 
 
Considerations have been given to the below Natura 2000 sites:  
• 
Ringkøbing Fjord Special Protection Area (SPA) / Ramsar; and 
• 
Ringkøbing Fjord og Nymindestrømmen Special Area of Conservation (SAC).  
Based on the assessment, No Significant Effects are expected from the Aurora Project on the 
classified populations and supporting habitat features of the Ringkøbing Fjord SPA / Ramsar, and 
the designated Annex I habitat features and Annex II populations of the Ringkøbing Fjord og 
Nymindestrømmen SAC. 
Transboundary Impacts 
(Section 4.18) 
 
Considerations have been given to the below Exclusive European Area States:  
• 
UK;  
• 
Norway; and 
• 
Danish Exclusive European Area States.  
Based on the assessment, No Significant Effects are expected from the Aurora Project inside or 
outside of the Danish Exclusive European Area State.  

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Potential effects that are indistinguishable from the background/natural level of environmental and socio-economic change. 
Effects are considered “not significant”.  
Potential effects of low magnitude, within acceptable standards. Effects are considered “not significant”.  
These potential effects may or may not be significant, depending on the context, and additional mitigation may thus be required in 
order to avoid or reduce the effect to non-significant levels.  
Exceeds acceptable limits and standards. Potential effects are considered “significant”. 
No Significant Effects 
Low Potential for 
Significant Effects  
Moderate Potential 
for Significant 
Major Potential for 
Significant Effects  

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1. 
INTRODUCTION 
1.1 
OVERVIEW 
Aurora is a planned subsea fibre optic telecommunication cable system (hereafter known as 
the Aurora Project, or the subsea cable), with a total estimated length of 7,230 kilometres 
(km). The Aurora Project will connect landings at Manasquan, New Jersey in the United States 
(US) and Blaabjerg in Denmark, traversing through both United Kingdom (UK) and Norwegian 
waters. The subsea cable route will be installed across the seabed and buried where conditions 
allow.  
The Aurora Project is expected to go live in 2027/28. The objective of the Aurora Project is to 
install a subsea fibre optic cable to provide connectivity across the Atlantic Ocean and North 
Sea. This will increase telecommunication reliability and security and increase data 
transmission capacity and speeds between the US and Denmark.  
Within the Danish Territorial Seas (TS), approximately 33 km of subsea cable will be installed. 
Between the TS and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)1 boundary, approximately 167 km of 
subsea cable will be installed. The freedom to lay such subsea cables in EEZs beyond the TS is 
governed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) {Part V Article 
58}, of which Denmark ratified on 16 November 2004. It is customary, however, for coastal 
states to be notified of subsea cable installations across their EEZs and as such, appropriate 
notifications for this EEZ portion of the Aurora Project will be made available in advance of 
installation. The EEZ is therefore excluded from permit or licence applications for the 
installation of the subsea cable in Danish waters, with only the portion to be installed through 
Denmark’s TS to the existing Beach Manhole (BMH), at Blaabjerg, being considered in this 
environmental screening exercise.  
The planning of the route is being performed in accordance with industry recognised standards 
and codes including those of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). Installation, 
operation and maintenance, and decommissioning will be performed according to approved 
and certified ISO quality systems. 
The Aurora Project is compliant with the Europe [postnr by] (EU2020), and the Digital 
Agenda for Europe, which furthermore underlines the importance of broadband deployment to 
promote competitiveness, social inclusion and employment in the European Union (EU) and 
defines the aim as to “ensure the roll-out and take-up of broadband for all, at increasing 
speeds, through both fixed and wireless technologies, and to facilitate investment in the new 
very fast open and competitive internet networks that will be the arteries of a future 
economy”.  
In Denmark, the competent authority for permitting of a subsea cable is the Danish Coastal 
Authority (DCA), which is a division of the Danish Ministry of the Environment. 
1.2 
RESPONSIBLE PARTIES 
The local Landing Provider and Project Proponent for Denmark is Arelion. Alcatel Submarine 
Networks (ASN) has been contracted to design, build and install the system, and 
 
1 As defined by the UNCLOS (1982), the EEZ is an area beyond and adjacent to a coastal state’s territorial sea, 
extending to a limit of 200 nautical miles (nm) (approximately 370 km) from its baseline. 

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Environmental Resources Management (ERM) have been appointed by ASN to obtain the 
necessary permits for the installation of the Aurora Project in Danish waters.  
1.3 
OBJECTIVE OF THE REPORT  
The purpose of this report is to present the project description and an environmental screening 
of potential effects from the installation, operation and decommissioning of the planned subsea 
cable within Danish waters. The report is part of the permit application documentation for 
installation of the subsea cable in Danish waters up to the BMH at the landing site at Blaabjerg, 
Denmark. The onshore part of the Aurora Project landward of the BMH will be handled by other 
parties in separate applications to the relevant Danish authorities.  
The following environmental and socio-economic parameters are included in the screening, 
further details can be found in Section 4: 
• 
Marine Physical Processes; 
• 
Water and Sediment Quality; 
• 
Benthic Ecology; 
• 
Fish and Shellfish Ecology; 
• 
Terrestrial and Intertidal Ecology; 
• 
Marine Mammals; 
• 
Offshore Ornithology; 
• 
Aviation and Radar; 
• 
Noise and Vibration; 
• 
Seascape, Landscape and Visual Amenity; 
• 
Commercial Fishing; 
• 
Shipping and Navigation; 
• 
Marine Archaeology; 
• 
Terrestrial Archaeology; 
• 
Other Users; 
• 
Cumulative Effects; 
• 
Designated Sites for Nature Conservation: Natura [postnr by]; and 
• 
Transboundary Impacts. 
1.4 
OUTLINE OF THE REPORT  
The remainder of this Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Screening Report is structured 
as follows: 
• 
Section 2: Legal Framework 
• 
Section 3: Project Description 
• 
Section 4: EIA Screening 
• 
Section 5: Conclusion  
Supporting information is provided in the following annexes: 
• 
Annex 1: As-Built HDD Duct Design and Dimensions  

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2. LEGAL FRAMEWORK 
This section of the report describes the legislation and policies that regulate the activities 
involved with the Denmark segment of the Aurora Project. Context is also provided with 
respect to the required Danish permits required for the Aurora Project.  
2.1 INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS, GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS 
Denmark is a signatory to several international conventions and agreements targeted toward 
the conservation and protection of the environment to ensure sustainable development. The 
relevant international conventions and regulations most applicable to the Aurora Project are 
highlighted below in Table 2-1. 
TABLE 2-1 LIST OF RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND REGULATIONS  
Conventions 
Year Adopted 
Overview 
Convention on the 
Territorial Sea and 
Contiguous Zone  
[postnr by] the [postnr by] on the Territorial Sea 
and Contiguous Zone, states cannot suspend the 
innocent passage of foreign ships through straits 
that are used for international navigation between 
one part of the high seas and another part of the 
high seas or the TS of a foreign state. The 1982 
treaty established a new right of transit passage 
for the purpose of continuous and expeditious 
transit in straits used for international navigation 
between one part of the high seas or EEZ and 
another. 
Convention on the High 
Seas, Geneva 
[postnr by] [postnr by] on the High Seas, signed in 
Geneva, is an international agreement that outlines 
rules for the use of the high seas, which are areas 
of the ocean not under any one country's 
jurisdiction. It covers various aspects like 
navigation, fishing, and scientific research, 
emphasising freedom of navigation, the obligation 
to assist vessels in distress, and the promotion of 
global marine scientific research. This treaty is a 
crucial development in international maritime law, 
providing guidelines for the peaceful and 
responsible use of the high seas by all nations. 
Convention on the 
International Regulations 
for Preventing Collisions 
at Sea (COLREGs) 
[postnr by] regulations are published by the International 
Maritime Organization (IMO) and set out, among 
other things, the "rules of the road" or navigation 
rules to be followed by ships and other vessels at 
sea to prevent collisions between two or more 
vessels. COLREGs can also refer to the specific 
political line that divides inland waterways, which 
are subject to their own navigation rules, and 
coastal waterways which are subject to 
international navigation rules. 
Convention for the 
Protection of the World 
Cultural and Natural 
Heritage 
[postnr by] defines the kind of natural or 
cultural sites which can be considered for 
inscription on the World Heritage List. The 
Convention sets out the duties of States Parties in 
identifying potential sites and their role in 
protecting and preserving them. 

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Conventions 
Year Adopted 
Overview 
International Convention 
for the Safety of Life at 
Sea (SOLAS) 
[postnr by] main objective of the SOLAS Convention is to 
specify minimum standards for the construction, 
equipment and operation of ships, compatible with 
their safety. Flag States are responsible for 
ensuring that ships under their flag comply with its 
requirements, and a number of certificates are 
prescribed in the Convention as proof that this has 
been done. Control provisions also allow 
Contracting Governments to inspect ships of other 
Contracting States if there are clear grounds for 
believing that the ship and its equipment do not 
substantially comply with the requirements of the 
Convention - this procedure is known as port State 
control. 
International Convention 
for the Prevention of 
Pollution from Ships 
(MARPOL 73/78) 
[postnr by] is the main international 
convention covering prevention of pollution of the 
marine environment by ships from operational or 
accidental causes. The Convention includes 
regulations aimed at preventing and minimizing 
pollution from ships - both accidental pollution and 
that from routine operations - and currently 
includes six (6) technical Annexes. 
EU Birds Directive 
[postnr by] EU Birds Directive (Council Directive 
79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979, as amended) obliges 
EU member states to conserve selected bird 
species that are characteristic, rare or endangered 
in the EU. In addition to halting the decline or 
disappearance of bird species, the Directive aims 
to allow bird species to recover and thrive over the 
long-term. 
To achieve these aims, EU countries are required to 
take any necessary measures to maintain or 
restore bird populations. 
Convention on the 
Conservation of Migratory 
Species of Wild Animals, 
1979 
[postnr by], also known as the Bonn 
Convention, was adopted in 1979 and entered into 
force in 1983. It stipulates actions for the 
conservation and management of migratory 
species including habitat conservation.  
UNCLOS 
[postnr by] is signatory to UNCLOS and claims rights 
within 12 nm of the TS and 200 nm of the EEZ. 
According to the UNCLOS, the sovereignty of a 
coastal state extends beyond its land territory and 
internal waters to an adjacent area of sea. In 
Denmark, this relates to maritime boundaries. The 
proposed Aurora Project and related activities fall 
within the jurisdiction of the TS.  
International 
Telecommunication 
Regulations 
[postnr by] provisions of these regulations supplement the 
ITU, with a view to attaining the purposes of the 
ITU in promoting the development of 
telecommunication services and their most efficient 
operation while harmonising the development of 
facilities for world-wide telecommunications.  
The regulations establish general principles which 
relate to the provision and operation of 
international telecommunication services offered to 
the public as well as to the underlying international 
telecommunication transport means used to 
provide such services. 

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Conventions 
Year Adopted 
Overview 
International Convention 
on Oil Pollution 
Preparedness, Response, 
and Co-operation (OPRC) 
[postnr by] to the International Convention on OPRC 
are required to establish measures for dealing with 
pollution incidents, either nationally or in co-
operation with other countries. Parties to the 
convention are required to provide assistance to 
others in the event of a pollution emergency and 
provision is made for the reimbursement of any 
assistance provided. 
Ships and operators are required to carry a 
shipboard oil pollution emergency plan, oil 
pollution emergency plans or similar arrangements 
which must be coordinated with national systems 
for responding promptly and effectively to oil 
pollution incidents. 
EU Habitat Directive 
[postnr by] 1992 EU Habitats Directive (Council Directive 
92/43/EEC, as amended) obliges EU member 
states to conserve selected habitats and species 
that are characteristic, rare or endangered in the 
EU. It sets up the ‘Natura 2000’ network, which is 
the largest ecological network in the world, 
comprising of special areas of conservation 
designated by EU countries under this directive and 
Special Protection Areas (SPAs) classified under 
the Birds Directive (Directive 2009/147/EC). 
Convention on the 
Prevention of Marine 
Pollution by Dumping of 
Wastes and Other Matter 
[postnr by] objective of this convention is to promote the 
effective control of all sources of marine pollution 
and to take all practicable steps to prevent 
pollution of the sea by dumping of wastes and 
other matter. 
The Rio Declaration on 
Environment and 
Development 
[postnr by] was made in 1992 in Rio de 
Janeiro, reaffirming the declaration of the United 
Nations Conference on Human Environment 
adopted at Stockholm in 1972. The principle works 
towards international agreement which respects 
the interest of all and protects the integrity of the 
global environment and development. The 
principles of the declaration relevant to the 
proposed Aurora Project include: 
Principle 4: In order to achieve sustainable 
development, environmental protection shall 
constitute an integral part of the development 
process and cannot be considered in isolation from 
it. 
Principle 17: EIA as a national instrument shall be 
undertaken for proposed activities that are likely to 
have a significant adverse impact on the 
environment and are subject to a decision of a 
competent national authority.  
The Aarhus Convention 
[postnr by] Convention grants the public rights 
regarding access to information, public 
participation and access to justice in governmental 
decision-making processes on environmental 
matters. 
EU Water Framework 
Directive (WFD) 
[postnr by] EU WFD (Council Directive 2000/60/EC of 23 
October 2000) sets the framework for the 
protection of rivers and lakes, transitional waters 
(estuaries, lagoons, etc.), coastal waters and 
groundwater in all EU countries. 

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Conventions 
Year Adopted 
Overview 
Convention on 
Conservation of 
Underwater Cultural 
Heritage 
[postnr by] on the Conservation of the 
Underwater Cultural Heritage is a treaty that was 
adopted on 2 November 2001 by the General 
Conference of the United Nations Educational, 
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The 
Convention is intended to protect "all traces of 
human existence having a cultural, historical or 
archaeological character" which have been under 
water for over 100 years. This extends to the 
protection of shipwrecks, sunken cities, prehistoric 
artwork, treasures that may be looted, sacrificial 
and burial sites, and old ports that cover the 
oceans' floors. 
International Labour 
Organisation (ILO): ILO-
OSH, 2001 - Guidelines 
on Occupational Safety 
and Health (OSH) 
Management 
[postnr by] guidelines call for coherent policies to 
protect workers from occupational hazards and 
risks while improving productivity. The guidelines 
present practical approaches and tools for assisting 
organisations, competent national institutions, 
employers, workers and other social partners in 
establishing, implementing and improving OSH 
management systems, with the aim of reducing 
work-related injuries, ill health, diseases, incidents 
and deaths. 
At the organisational level, the guidelines 
encourage the integration of OSH management 
system elements as an important component of 
overall policy and management arrangements. 
Organisations, employers, owners, managerial 
staff, workers and their representatives are 
motivated in applying appropriate OSH 
management principles and methods to improve 
OSH performance.  
International Convention 
for the Control and 
Management of Ships' 
Ballast Water and 
Sediments (BWM 
Convention) 
[postnr by] aims to prevent, minimise, and 
ultimately eliminate the transfer of harmful aquatic 
organisms and pathogens through the control and 
management of ships’ ballast water and sediments. 
International Health 
Regulations (IHR) 
[postnr by] IHR is an international legal instrument that is 
binding on 196 countries across the globe, 
including all the Member States of World Health 
Organisation (WHO). This binding instrument of 
international law was first adopted in 1969, revised 
in 2005 and entered into force on 15 June 2007. 
The purpose and scope are “to prevent, protect 
against, control and provide a public health 
response to the international spread of disease in 
ways that are commensurate with and restricted to 
public health risks and which avoid unnecessary 
interference with international traffic and trade”. 
Marine Spatial Framework 
Directive 
[postnr by] Spatial Framework Directive (Council 
Directive 2014/89/EU of 23 July 2014) sets the 
framework for maritime spatial planning in an 
ecosystem-based approach. 
The Invasive Alien 
Species Regulation 
(Regulation (EU) 
1143/2014)  
[postnr by] Alien Species Regulation sets the 
measures to be adopted by EU countries in relation 
to invasive alien species. The regulation details the 
Invasive Alien Species of Union concern (Union 

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Conventions 
Year Adopted 
Overview 
List) and the restrictions and measures that apply 
to each.  
2.2 NATIONAL LEGISLATION 
Table 2-2 shows the relevant national legislative framework for the installation of a subsea 
cable in Danish waters.  
TABLE 2-2 RELEVANT LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK FOR SUBSEA CABLE INSTALLATION IN 
DANISH WATERS 
Legislative Framework 
Relevance 
Executive order on the 
protection of cables and 
submarine pipelines (BEK no. 
939 of 27/11/1992) 
§ 4: A 200 m protection zone is automatically established on 
either side of a cable. Within this zone, anchoring, extraction of 
materials and any use of tools that drag on the bottom 
(including bottom trawls), are prohibited.  
Executive order on the safety of 
navigation in connection with 
engineering works and other 
activities, etc. in Danish waters 
(BEK no. 1351 of 29/11/2013) 
§ 3: An activity may only be carried out if a risk assessment 
shows that shipping safety will not be significantly impaired and 
that free shipping will not be hindered. 
Executive Order on navigational 
safety during construction 
works and other activities in 
Danish waters (BEK nr 1229 af 
03/10/2023) 
 
§ 6. When an activity entails that official charts, harbour plans 
or descriptions in nautical publications published by the Geodata 
Agency must be updated, the project must submit information 
and drawing material to the Geodata Agency no later than three 
(3) weeks after an activity has been completed. 
§ 7. Within a vessel traffic service (VTS) area, the project must 
cooperate with VTS on the implementation of an activity. 
§ 9. The project on and in the seabed has a duty to investigate 
the dangers and restrictions that may be associated with this. 
 
2. If remnants of ammunition, war gases or unidentified objects 
that could be dangerous are found, the work must be 
temporarily stopped, and the Naval Command must be 
contacted. 
 
3. Activities on the seabed in prohibited areas, where there may 
be ammunition remnants or war gases, etc., require permission 
according to a special procedure, which can be found on the 
Danish Maritime Authority (DMA) website. 
Statutory order on the museum 
act (LBK no. 358 of 
08/04/2014) 
§ 25: The applicant may request an opinion from the relevant 
cultural history museum. When the museum has received a 
request, it must provide an opinion as to whether the work to 
which the request relates involves a risk of destruction of 
cultural heritage. 
Executive order on the 
administration of international 
nature conservation areas and 
the protection of certain species 
in relation to coastal protection 
measures, as well as the 
establishment and extension of 
certain plants on the territorial 
sea (BEK no. 896 of 
21/06/2016) 
§ 4: After consultation with other relevant authorities, the DCA 
may decide that a project might have a significant impact on an 
international nature protection area, then an impact assessment 
will be required. 

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Legislative Framework 
Relevance 
Statutory order on the nature 
conservation act (LBK no. 934 
of 27/06/2017) 
§ 8: No changes may be made to the condition of the dune 
conservation areas (e.g. on the west coast of Denmark).  
§ 15: No changes may be made to the conditions of beaches or 
other areas lying between the onshore section and the beach 
protection line (strandbeskyttelseslinjen) (which is typically a 
300 m zone). Should exemption be required, this should be 
requested from the DCA. 
Statutory order on the 
registration cable owners act 
(LBK no. 206 of 15/03/2018) 
§ 6: The Project Proponent must ensure that it is recorded in the 
Cable Owner Register (LER register). 
Statutory order of the act on 
hunting and game management 
(LBK no. 270 of 12/04/2018) 
§ 6: The breeding or resting areas of the mammals listed in 
Annex 1 must not be destroyed or damaged.  
§ 7: The mammals listed in Annex 1 and birds must not 
intentionally be interfered with to a degree which is harmful to 
the species or populations. 
Maritime Spatial Plan (MSP) 
(LBK no 400 of 06/04/2020) 
The Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs is the 
competent authority of maritime spatial planning, delegated to 
the DMA. A new MSP has now been published and came into 
effect as of 28 June 2024.     
All Danish ministries, agencies, municipalities and Non-
Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are part of the consultation 
along with the general public, including private companies.  
§ 14: Plans and projects in conflict with the MSP cannot be 
permitted. Changes to the MSP can be made by the Ministry of 
Industry, Business and Financial Affairs. 
Coastal Habitat Order (BEK no 
654 of 19/05/2020) 
According to the Coastal Habitat Order, decisions about 
establishment cannot be made before an assessment of whether 
the project in itself or in connection with other projects, 
including previously completed projects, may significantly affect 
an international nature conservation area or certain species 
designated pursuant to the Act on Environmental Objectives, 
etc. for International Nature Conservation Areas. 
EIA Act (LBK no 4 of 
03/01/2023) 
The Executive Order of the Act on Environmental Assessment of 
Plans and Programmes and of Specific Projects (i.e. EIA).  
In appendices I and II to the act, projects that require an EIA 
are listed (Statutory or after a screening). Subsea cables are not 
covered in either of the appendices. However, the DCA may 
decide that an EIA must be compiled for a project as a result of 
their screening after the Coastal Habitat Order (see above). In 
that case, the EIA Act will set the framework for the reporting of 
impacts. 
Statutory order of the act on 
fisheries and fish farming 
(Fisheries Act) (LBK no 205 0f 
01/03/2023)  
§ 77-80: If needed, relevant compensation agreements with 
fishermen can be made either before or after a permit 
application is submitted. The DCA will consult fishermen during 
the consultation phase. A permit may be given on the condition 
that an agreement be made with fishermen. 
Coastal Protection Act (BEK no 
806 of 14/06/2023) 
§ 16a: The DCA is the competent authority to grant the 
Establishment Permit. The Establishment Permit covers both the 
installation phase and operation phase. 
Guidance from the Danish 
Environmental Protection 
Agency Dumping of dredged 
seabed material – disposal (VEJ 
nr 9607 of 01/10/2005) 
The guidance document elaborates and explains the legislative 
framework and is aimed at parties involved in marine spoils 
disposal. The guidelines aim to help those who apply for a 
disposal permit. 

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Legislative Framework 
Relevance 
Guidance from the Danish 
Agency for Urban and 
Landscape Dumping of 
absorbed seabed material – 
dredging (VEJ no 9702 of 
20/10/2008) 
The guidance elaborates and explains the legislative framework 
and is aimed at everyone involved in marine spoils disposal. The 
guidelines aim to help those who apply for a disposal permit. 
2.3 PERMIT REQUIREMENTS 
The permits required for the installation of the subsea cable in Danish waters up to the BMH at 
the landing site in Blaabjerg, Denmark are detailed below. Any consenting requirements for the 
onshore elements of the Aurora Project will be processed by the responsible parties completing 
the required applications.  
2.3.1 ESTABLISHMENT PERMIT 
The Coastal Protection Act regulates coastal protection, including detailing consenting 
requirements for marine works. The establishment of facilities or the execution of activities 
requires an Establishment Permit. The authority responsible for granting Establishment Permits 
for activities in Danish waters, including the installation of submarine cables, is the DCA, which 
is a division of The Danish Ministry of the Environment.  
The DCA assesses and consults on applications for an Establishment Permit, before deciding 
whether a permit can be granted and under what conditions, or whether an EIA is required. 
The need for an EIA will be determined based on initial screening of the potential effects, 
together with consultation with the competent authorities. This report presents the screening 
of topics for potential effects from the Aurora Project and forms part of the Establishment 
Permit application documentation.  
2.3.2 ONSHORE PERMIT 
In addition to the Establishment Permit (as mentioned in Section 2.3.1 above), an onshore 
permit would also be required for the beach works between the existing Horizontal Directional 
Drill (HDD) duct entry point (landward) to the existing BMH (refer to Section 3.4.2.3 for 
further detail of onshore installation works).  
It is currently understood that a permit has been granted (on 30 October 2023) which covers 
the onshore activities for the Aurora Project, and is valid for activities utilising the existing 
infrastructure for the Aurora Project. Therefore, on this basis, it is understood that a renewal of 
this existing permit may be required subject to the installation schedule. However, no further 
permitting is required for the onshore activities.  

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3. 
PROJECT DESCRIPTION 
3.1 
PROJECT LOCATION 
For the Danish segment of the Aurora Project, approximately 33 km of subsea cable will be 
installed in the Danish TS. Between the TS and the Danish EEZ boundary, approximately 167 
km of subsea cable will be installed. As explained in Section 1.1, the portion of the subsea 
cable in the EEZ is excluded from this EIA Screening Report as installation beyond the Danish 
TS will be managed separately via a notification in accordance with UNCLOS. 
Table 3-1 provides the coordinates of the key infrastructure for the Danish segment of the 
Aurora Project and the points at which the subsea cable will enter and exit Danish waters. 
Prior to the screening process, the planned subsea cable route was surveyed in September 
2024 by ASN’s marine survey subcontractor, EGS. The information gathered during the Cable 
Route Survey (CRS) has been used to support the marine baseline of the EIA Screening 
Report. The landing site at Blaabjerg was chosen as the preferred landing site due to the ease 
of access to the beach, the proximity to existing terrestrial telecommunications network 
infrastructure (including the existing HDD duct connections and BMH), and the short distance 
from the location of the BMH to the Cable Landing Station (CLS).  
TABLE 3-1 DENMARK SUBSEA CABLE LOCATIONS 
Location Description 
Latitude 
Longitude 
Enter Danish EEZ 
056° 42.8484’ N 
005° 25.2606’ E 
Enter Danish TS 
056° 06.2293’ N 
007° 44.6706’ E 
Existing HDD duct exit point (seaward) 
055° 55.5962’ N 
008° 08.2037’ E 
Existing HDD duct entry point (landward) 
055° 55.3710’ N 
008° 09.0800’ E 
Existing BMH 
055° 55.3720’ N 
008° 09.1080’ E 
Note: WGS84 Datum in degrees decimal minutes. 
Source: ASN, 2024 

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FIGURE 3-1 SUBSEA CABLE OVERVIEW: DANISH EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE 

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FIGURE 3-2 BLAABJERG LANDING SITE: SUBSEA CABLE, DENMARK 

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3.2 
ONSHORE LOCATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE 
3.2.1 THE LANDING SITE 
The installation of the subsea cable at Blaabjerg, Denmark, plans to utilise an existing HDD 
duct, where its exit point (seaward) is around 150 m from the shore and the entry point 
(landward) is approximately 29 m from the existing BMH, as show in Figure 3-3. This will 
allow the subsea cable to be installed at the landing site at Blaabjerg while minimising the 
Aurora Project installation activities within proximity of the Natura 2000 sites and / or 
environmentally sensitive areas. Further information on the existing HDD duct is provided in 
Section 3.2.2. 
The landing site is a recreational green undeveloped area on a land strip forming a barrier 
between the North Sea and Ringkøbing Fjord. The land strip is a large expanse of heather and 
heathland surrounded by dunes. A solitary beach house is located around 30 m north of the 
landing site, and the area may be used for horseback riding as there is a horse-riding centre 
around 300 m east of the landing site.  
As shown in Figure 3-4, the landing site is close to, but does not overlap with, the Natura 
2000 site no. DK00CY163 (Habitats Directive Site - Ringkøbing Fjord og Nymindestrømmen 
also called SAC62), DK00CX043 (Bird Directive Site - Ringkøbing Fjord). The area is 
designated to protect different dune types and beach meadow among other habitats.  
The existing BMH location may be in proximity of several protected habitat types: beach 
meadow, decalcified fixed dunes with Empetrum nigrum, fixed coastal dunes with herbaceous 
vegetation ("grey dunes")’, and grassland. Further information on the existing BMH is provided 
in Section 3.2.2. 

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FIGURE 3-3 HORIZONTAL DIRECTIONAL DRILLING DUCT ENTRY AND EXIT POINTS AT LANDING SITE IN BLAABJERG, DENMARK 
 

AURORA PROJECT: DENMARK 
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FIGURE 3-4 KNOWN PROPOSED AND EXISTING PROTECTED AREAS, AND SENSITIVE HABITATS IN DANISH EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE 
AND TERRITORIAL SEAS 
 

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3.2.2 BEACH MANHOLE AND HORIZONTAL DIRECTIONAL DRILLING DUCT 
The Aurora Project will utilise the existing BMH at the landing site in Blaabjerg, Denmark. The 
BMH, which was part of the decommissioned TAT-14 cable system, is a concrete utility vault 
where the marine portion of the subsea cable is connected to the terrestrial cable. The BMH is 
located underground with two (2) access hatches flush with ground level comprising a tamper 
proof cover. 
The approximate size of the BMH is 2 m long x 3 m wide x 1.2 m deep. The manhole lids are 
made of cast iron. The sub-surface chamber will be accessed via the manholes, and the 
manhole cover is the only element of the BMH visible above ground, as shown in Figure 3-5.  
FIGURE 3-5 IMAGE OF EXISTING BEACH MANHOLE WITH TWO ACCESS HATCHES 
 
Source: ASN, [postnr by] Project will also utilise the existing HDD duct at the landing site in Blaabjerg, 
Denmark. This existing HDD duct is originally part of the TAT-14 cable system which is now 
decommissioned. In between the existing BMH and HDD duct, a short section of cable 
approximately 29m in length will be installed. This section of cable will be buried in between 
the HDD duct and the BMH.  
The as-built HDD duct design and dimensions are provided in Annex 1.  
The decommissioned TAT-14 cable has been removed and the existing HDD duct (as shown in 
Figure 3-6) was subject to a proving operation in May 2024. This proving operation involved 
passing a mandrel (with a diameter slightly less than the minimum internal diameter of the 

AURORA PROJECT: DENMARK 
 
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DATE: 30 January 2025 
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existing HDD duct, but larger than the planned subsea cable) through the conduit, to prove it 
is free from any obstructions that can hinder or damage the subsea cable.  
FIGURE 3-6 VIEW TOWARDS NORTH-EAST ACROSS THE BEACH MANHOLE AND 
HORIZONTAL DIRECTIONAL DRILLING DUCT AT BLAABJERG, DENMARK 
 
Source: ASN, 2024 
3.3 
OFFSHORE INFRASTRUCTURE 
3.3.1 THE SUBSEA FIBRE OPTIC CABLE 
The subsea fibre optic cable that will be used within the Danish TS is the OALC4 cable, 
developed and manufactured by ASN. Figure 3-7 depicts the two (2) types of OALC4 cable 
that will be used in the Danish TS; the lightweight single armour cable (SAL) with 28 
millimeter (mm) outer diameter and, the medium double armour cable (MDA) with 37.5 mm 
outer diameter.   
FIGURE 3-7 EXAMPLE OF A SINGLE AND DOUBLE ARMOUR FIBRE OPTIC CABLE 

AURORA PROJECT: DENMARK 
 
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The core of the subsea cable is the fibre unit structure, where the optical fibres are set in a 
steel tube and insulated with high-density polyethylene which provides abrasion resistance. 
The fibre unit and insulation sheath are surrounded by layers of galvanised steel wires and 
layers of black polypropylene (PP) yarn that provide additional protection against external 
threats. Only the outer layer of PP yarn which is inert, will be in contact with the surrounding 
environment. 
3.3.2 REPEATERS 
Subsea cables which span large distances require repeaters to amplify the subsea cable signal 
and prevent the optical signal from deteriorating from the point of origin to the destination. 
Repeaters are optical amplifiers that are installed at points along the length of the subsea 
cable. They are used to extend the reach of optical communications links by overcoming loss 
due to attenuation. Repeaters will be installed approximately every 75 km along the length of 
the Aurora Project, so one (1) repeater within the Danish TS is expected.  
The repeaters are fitted to and form a part of the subsea cable, typically measuring up to 
approximately 270 mm (diameter) x 980 mm (length) in size. The total length of the repeater 
section is approximately 3,900 mm to 4,240 mm depending on subsea cable coupling. An 
example of a repeater is shown in Figure 3-8. 
 
 
 
 
Source: ASN, 2024 

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FIGURE 3-8 EXAMPLE OF A REPEATER AND FIBRE OPTIC CABLE 
 
Source: ASN, [postnr by]: Repeater and fibre optic cable shown during subsea cable installation from installation vessel. 
3.3.3 ADDITIONAL PROTECTION 
Additional protection of the subsea cable is anticipated to be required in areas where there is a 
greater risk of damage or abrasion. Approximately 29 m of articulated pipes will be installed 
over the subsea cable from the BMH towards the HDD duct entry point (landward) at the 
landing site, and 25 m of articulated pipes will be installed from HDD duct exit point (seaward) 
to full burial depth. This provides stability and protection from abrasion or external aggression 
on the subsea cable in the surf zone. An example of the articulated pipe typically used is 
shown in Figure 3-9. 
To prevent lateral movement of the articulated pipe in high energy surf zones in the nearshore, 
articulated pipe can be fixed to the seabed using saddle clamps or subsea cable clamps 
installed by divers at suitable intervals. Clamps will only be considered for articulated pipe on 
hard ground in high energy surf zones where there is a significant risk of subsea cable 
movements. Given the use of the existing HDD duct through the nearshore, clamps are 
currently not expected to be required but are described here as a contingency. Typical 
articulated pipe saddle clamps and cable clamps are shown in Figure 3-10. 
The decision to incorporate additional protection to the subsea cable will be made by the 
engineers on site during installation in response to assessment of site-specific conditions. 

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FIGURE 3-9 ARTICULATED PIPE AND TYPICAL SPECIFICATIONS 
 
Specifications (PS055/500/09) 
 
Segment Length - Overall 
546 mm 
Effective Installed Length/segment 
pair 
500 mm 
Minimum Internal Diameter 
55 mm - for subsea cables up to 47 mm diameter 
Maximum External Diameter 
130 mm 
Wall Thickness 
9 mm 
Material 
Ductile Iron to AS1831 / ISO [postnr by] / Elongation 
400 MPa / 12% elongation 
Impact Resistance 
≥7.5 Kilojoules (kJ) 
Minimum Bend Diameter 
4.0 m 
Weight per Segment 
8.1 kilograms (kg) 
Weight per installed metre (air) 
16.4 kg 
Weight per installed metre (water) 
14.3 kg 
Fasteners 
M12x50 Bolts and M12 Nyloc Nuts 
Material: Stainless Steel G316/A4 
Recommended usage: 1 pair per 10 metres of installed 
pipe 
Source: ASN / Protectorshell.com, 2024 
 

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FIGURE 3-10 EXAMPLE OF SUBSEA CABLE CLAMPS AND INSTALLATION 
 
Source: ASN, [postnr by]: Example of an articulated pipe section with saddle clamp, showing typical installation. 
Right: Example of a subsea cable and a subsea cable clamp, showing typical installation.  
3.4 
PROJECT ACTIVITIES 
The Aurora Project will involve the following activities in Danish TS and onshore: 
• 
Pre-Installation Activities in the marine environment: 
° 
Route Clearance (RC) of Out-of-Service (OOS) Cables; and 
° 
Pre-Lay Grapnel Run (PLGR); 
• 
Installation Activities: 
° 
Main Subsea Cable Lay; and 
° 
Post-Lay Inspection and Burial (PLIB);  
° 
Shore-End Landing (SEL) Installation; 
• 
Subsea Cable Operation and Maintenance; and 
• 
Retirement, Abandonment or Decommissioning. 
There are no in-service cables or pipelines in Danish TS that will be crossed by the subsea 
cable. Hence, this activity will not be addressed further in this EIA Screening Report. 
Although it is planned to install a new system earth (to support the Aurora Project landing in 
Denmark) at the existing CLS in Norre Nebel, this activity will be undertaken by other parties 
who will handle the separate permit applications (as required) to the relevant Danish 
authorities. Therefore, system earth installation will not be addressed further in this EIA 
Screening Report. 
3.4.1 PRE-INSTALLATION ACTIVITIES  
3.4.1.1 
ROUTE CLEARANCE OF OUT-OF-SERVICE CABLES  
The purpose of the RC operations is to clear the subsea cable route of obstacles such as 
redundant OOS cables that were identified during the CRS, as these can be hazardous to both 
the installation vessel’s equipment and the subsea cable itself. RC is only carried out where 
subsea cable burial by ploughing is planned. 

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The CRS (completed in September 2024) identified six (6) OOS cables that need to be 
removed from the subsea cable route in the Danish TS. Details and locations of the OOS cables 
are provided in Table 3-2. 
TABLE 3-2 DETAILS AND LOCATIONS OF OUT-OF-SERVICE CABLES 
OOS Cable 
Latitude 
Longitude 
Water Depth (m) 
CX FO DB TAT 14 seg K1   
056o 03.7320’ N 
007o 51.6531' E 
23 
CX FO DB TAT 14 seg N   
056o 02.4624’ N 
007o 54.0628' E 
22 
CX FO DB TAT 14 seg N   
056o 00.8946' N 
007o 58.2682' E 
22 
CX FO DB TAT 14 seg N   
055o 56.2237' N 
008o 06.3955' E 
14 
CX FO DB TAT 14 seg N   
055o 55.9734' N 
008o 06.8666' E 
12 
CX TELE DB Newbiggen-
Sondervig No1 
056o 05.1764' N 
007o 48.6930' E 
27 
Source: ASN, [postnr by] on availability, the RC operations will be conducted using the main lay installation 
vessel or a third-party vessel, and will be conducted in accordance with International Cable 
Protection Committee (ICPC) Recommendation 1 “Management of Redundant and Out of 
Service Cables” [ICPC], 2020), involving the following steps: 
• 
The vessel will position itself perpendicular and close to the OOS cable; 
• 
A grapnel is lowered from the stern of the vessel (Figure 3-11); 
• 
The vessel moves towards the OOS cable, with the flukes of the grapnel penetrating up to 
1.5 m of the seabed to unbury the OOS cable; 
• 
The vessel will continue to move until the OOS cable is broken, leaving the two (2) ends of 
the OOS cable on the seabed (Figure 3-12); 
• 
The vessel will then undertake grapnel runs to retrieve each OOS cable end, individually;  
• 
Once the OOS cable is on the back deck, clump weights are attached to the cut OOS cable 
ends; 
• 
The vessel will return the cut OOS cable ends (with the weights) to the seabed, leaving an 
empty space on the seabed that corresponds to the width of the proposed subsea cable 
route; and 
• 
The OOS cable cut is kept onboard and disposed of onshore in accordance with MARPOL 
73/78 regulations, Danish standards and waste disposal best practice. 
All RC operations would be conducted using the same navigational accuracy as that proposed for 
the subsea cable installation.   

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FIGURE 3-11 TYPICAL EXAMPLE OF GRAPNELS USED FOR THE ROUTE CLEARANCE 
OPERATIONS 
 
Source: ASN, 2021 
FIGURE 3-12 DIAGRAM SHOWING SECTION OF CUT OUT-OF-SERVICE CABLE TO BE 
RECOVERED 
 
Source: ICPC, 2020 
3.4.1.2 
  PRE-LAY GRAPNEL RUN 
PLGR will only be carried out along segments of the route where subsea cable burial by plough 
is planned. Undertaken just before ploughing, PLGR is intended to clear the route of obstacles 

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and debris (e.g. discarded fishing gear, hawsers, scrap, etc.) that could potentially impede the 
safe progress of the subsea cable burial equipment (i.e. the sea plough) or cause damage to 
the installed subsea cable. 
Depending on availability, the main lay installation vessel or a third-party vessel will be utilised 
for the PLGR.  
During the PLGR, one (1) or an array of grapnels (Figure 3-11) is towed by the vessel along 
the length of the route to be ploughed. The vessel moves at a speed that allows the grapnels 
to remain in continuous contact with the seabed.   
Should the first pass encounter any type of debris, two (2) additional parallel passes, on either 
side of the centre-line of the proposed subsea cable route, will be made.  
The footprint of the PLGR will be limited to areas dredged by the grapnels and will not extend 
beyond the width of the proposed subsea cable route. As the grapnel is pulled across the 
seabed, typical blade seabed penetration of up to 40 centimeters (cm) to 80 cm is achieved, 
depending on seabed composition.  
PLGR will not be conducted in hard bottom or rocky areas and will avoid in-service marine 
infrastructure.  
The debris retrieved by the grapnels is kept onboard the vessel and will be disposed of onshore 
in accordance with MARPOL 73/78 regulations, Danish standards and waste disposal best 
practice.  
3.4.2 INSTALLATION ACTIVITIES 
3.4.2.1 
MAIN SUBSEA CABLE LAY  
Subsea cable Installation Vessel 
The marine portion of the subsea cable will be installed from a purpose-built installation vessel 
(Figure 3-13).  
The exact installation vessel to be utilised has yet to be confirmed but will be fully equipped 
with all the necessary equipment, tools, and facilities to safely handle and install, joint and test 
the subsea cable and power the submerged equipment, such as the sea plough and remotely 
operated vehicle (ROV) (Figure 3-23). In addition, the vessel will have sufficient power and 
dynamic positioning capability to carry out the installation in the expected weather and current 
conditions without the need for anchors. This reduces the impact to the seabed as compared to 
older models that used anchors to stabilise and position the vessel while burying subsea cables 
under the seabed. 
Subsea cable lay software is used to install the subsea cable along the route with high 
positional accuracy and control of the subsea cable tension in combination with the ship’s 
navigational systems. The average subsea cable installation speed is approximately 0.3 knots 
(14.4 km per day) for ploughing / subsea cable burial, and approximately 2 knots (90 km per 
day) during surface lay installation. The speed of the installation vessel may be amended to 
suit the topography of the seabed or any operational complexity encountered.  
The vessel will be entirely self-sufficient for the duration of the installation and will also 
conform to IMO / MARPOL 73/78 standards and applicable Danish regulations in relation to 
waste management and ballast water management. This includes general requirements over 

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the control of waste oil, engine oil discharges and grey and black wastewater discharges; 
prevention of pollution by garbage from ships and prevention of air pollution; and operating 
procedures for dealing with incidents such as oil and waste spillages that potentially may 
threaten the marine environment. Under normal circumstances the vessel therefore represents 
no risk as a source of marine pollution. A vessel Waste Management Plan (WMP) will be 
implemented to manage the waste streams associated with the Aurora Project. 
If necessary, a guard vessel will accompany the installation vessel to maintain surveillance 
around the worksite ensuring other vessels are kept clear to reduce the risk of collision. The 
guard vessel may be a local vessel employed for their knowledge of the installation area and 
other vessels operating in the area. 
FIGURE 3-13 TYPICAL INSTALLATION VESSEL 
 
Source: ASN, [postnr by] Installation (including plough burial) 
The main lay installation vessel will install the subsea cable in the Danish TS starting from the 
15 m water depth. Wherever feasible, simultaneous subsea cable installation with plough burial 
will be undertaken along the proposed subsea cable route, to a target depth of 2 m.  
Plough burial involves a sea plough (Figure 3-14), towed behind the main lay installation 
vessel, burying the subsea cable into the seabed as it progresses along the route. A typical 
ploughing configuration is shown in Figure 3-15 with the towed plough normally two (2) or 
three (3) times the water depth behind the vessel.  
During this activity, the subsea cable is fed through the plough into a narrow furrow at the 
bottom of a share blade which cuts into the seabed creating a trench for the subsea cable. As 
the share blade moves forward, the wedge of sediment falls back into the trench to cover the 
subsea cable. The plough target burial depth is 2.0 m, where seabed sediments and slopes 
allow. 
The footprint of the plough on the seabed is limited to where the four (4) plough skids are in 
contact with the seabed and the plough share, which is approximately 0.2 m wide. A schematic 
of the plough footprint is provided in Figure 3-16. 

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The seabed will be left nearly undisturbed after ploughing. Only temporary track marks from 
the skids and the plough share will remain visible for a short period after installation, but are 
expected to be rapidly reinstated due to seabed currents and wave action.  
Ploughing is a well proven industry standard subsea cable burial process which will minimise 
the environmental impact compared to other available burial techniques such as water jetting, 
airlifting, sediment dredging, rock cutting and rock placement. 
The plough will not be deployed in areas where steep or side slopes prevent it, or where the 
route crosses in-service infrastructures.  
FIGURE 3-14 A SEA PLOUGH READY TO BE DEPLOYED FROM INSTALLATION VESSEL 
 
Source: ASN, 2024 
 
FIGURE 3-15 TYPICAL PLOUGHING CONFIGURATION 
 
Source: ASN, [postnr by] representation of the Cable Ship Ploughing set up with Tow Line, Umbilical and subsea 
cable 
 

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FIGURE 3-16 SCHEMATIC OF A SEA PLOUGH AND PLOUGH FOOTPRINT 
 
 
 
Source: ASN, 2024 
3.4.2.2 
POST-LAY INSPECTION AND BURIAL 
Post-Lay Inspection and Burial (PLIB) is the last step of the subsea cable installation process 
where the subsea cable has been left unburied. This process will involve the use of a ROV 
deployed and operated from the installation vessel or third-party vessel via a control umbilical 
(Figure 3-17).  
 
 
Schematic of cable burial plough.  The plough has two front skids, two rear facing stabilisers and a vertical, 2.3m deep share blade.  These are the primary 
parts of the plough that come into contact with the seabed during cable burial operations. 
 
 
 
 
Front Skid 
 
 
Rear Stabiliser 
 
Plough Share  
 
 
 
 
(brown) 
 
 
(light blue) 
 
 
(green) 
Plough Chassis 
Cable Depressor Arm 
This slots inside the share 
to place the cable into the 
bottom of the trench 
(purple) 
Cable Path 
through plough 

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FIGURE 3-17 ROV DEPLOYMENT FROM THE VESSEL 
 
Source: ASN, [postnr by]-lay inspection (PLI) of the planned subsea cable burial areas is undertaken to check and 
verify the success of subsea cable burial. During the PLI, the ROV with on-board cameras and 
detectors, tracks along the route recording and measuring burial depths and identifying areas 
that may require further burial. 
Post-lay burial (PLB) will be performed in planned plough burial areas at the following locations, 
using the same ROV: 
• 
Crossings of in-service power and telecommunications cables2; 
• 
Unplanned plough skips; and 
• 
Areas where seabed slopes are not suited for ploughing and where jetting burial is possible. 
The ROV will be operated either in tracked or free flying (neutral buoyancy) mode. In free 
flying mode less power is available for water jetting tool(s). In tracked mode maximum water 
jetting power is available to bury the subsea cable. PLBs at subsea cable crossings will 
normally be performed in tracked mode. 
During the PLB, a tracked ROV will use seawater jetting tools to cut a narrow trench 
approximately 0.2 m wide and liquefy the sediment to a target depth of approximately 2 m or 
to hard ground (whichever comes first) beneath the subsea cable, which then sinks under its 
own weight to the bottom of the trench. Most of the emulsified material will remain in the 
trench and quickly consolidate. Any residual open trench will backfill naturally (Figure 3-18). 
 
2 There are no in-service cables or pipelines within the route in Danish TS that will be crossed by the Aurora Project. 

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In shallower waters (less than 15 m water depth) where an ROV is not suitable, divers may 
examine the burial condition and bury the subsea cable manually if required. 
FIGURE 3-18 POST-LAY BURIAL USING A TRACKED REMOTELY OPERATED VEHICLE 
 
Source: ASN, [postnr by] representation of subsea cable installation and Post Lay Inspection and Burial (PLIB) by 
ROV. 
3.4.2.3 
SHORE-END LANDING INSTALLATION 
A description of the installation activities that are planned for the SEL of the subsea cable is 
provided as follows. 
Pre-Laid Shore End 
A Pre-Laid Shore End (PLSE) is planned for the landing of the subsea cable at Blaabjerg. The 
PLSE operation will be undertaken ahead of the main subsea cable lay (as presented in 
Section 3.4.2.1). This operation will involve the use of a shallow draft vessel or barge 
supported by small work boats and divers to install the subsea cable from the 15 m depth 
contour to the offshore HDD duct. 
 
 

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FIGURE 3-19 TYPICAL SHALLOW DRAFT VESSEL OR BARGE 
 
Source: ASN, [postnr by] distance between the existing HDD duct entry (landward) and exit (seaward) points is 
approximately 1,024 m as shown in Figure 3-3. Divers will locate the HDD duct exit point 
(seaward) and excavate sediment from the end of the duct to clean the inside of the duct. A 
check valve or blanking plate may be installed at the offshore end of the duct to keep seawater 
from entering before the subsea cable is installed.  
The PLSE operation will start at the existing BMH with the exposure of the seaward ducts and 
the excavation of a short trench between HDD duct entry point (landward) and the BMH. The 
trench is expected to be 20 cm at the base, 2 m deep (or to bedrock, whichever is reached 
first), and 2 m wide at ground level from the HDD duct entry point (landward), with transition 
landward to 1 m wide near BMH. The maximum width of working area between HDD duct entry 
point (landward) to the BMH is 12 m x 29 m long. Walkways of approximately 1 m wide will be 
created on either side of trench. Figure 3-20 provides an indicative plan of the working area 
for the trenching. 

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FIGURE 3-20 INDICATIVE PLAN OF WORKING AREA FOR TRENCHING BETWEEN HORIZONTAL DIRECTIONAL DRILLING DUCT ENTRY POINT 
(LANDWARD) AND BEACH MANHOLE 

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During PLSE operation, the subsea cable is pulled from the barge and with the assistance of the 
support boats and divers, the subsea cable is connected to the messenger line within the HDD 
duct (seaward). 
A pulling winch (Figure 3-21) will be set up near the BMH and secured to an excavator.  A 4 
ton pulling winch is expected to be used and the 13 ton excavator is expected to be 2.5 m 
wide.  
The pulling winch will connect to the messenger line and be used to pull the subsea cable 
through the HDD duct (landward) towards the BMH and secured. A plan view of the proposed 
SEL pulling winch location is provided in Figure 3-21. 
Once the subsea cable is pulled through the HDD duct (landward) to the BMH, it will be tested 
for electrical insulation and fibre continuity to ensure it is not damaged. From the HDD duct 
entry point (landward) to the BMH, articulated pipes would be fitted over the subsea cable to 
provide additional protection before the subsea cable is buried in the trench.  
During the PLSE operation, the working area will be fenced with no access to the public. The 
noise levels will not exceed 115 dB.  
Upon completion of the PLSE operation, the working area will be restored, and all equipment, 
tools and waste materials will be removed from the site.  
FIGURE 3-21 TYPICAL WINCH EQUIPMENT 
 
Source: ASN, 2024 
  
 
  

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FIGURE 3-22 PLAN VIEW OF PROPOSED SHORE-END LANDING PULLING WINCH LOCATION 
 
Source: ASN, [postnr by] Cable Burial 
Following completion of the PLSE and successful testing of the subsea cable, inshore burial of 
the subsea cable will be undertaken. Before undertaking this, divers will check that the subsea 
cable is exiting the HDD duct (seaward) and that it is lying flat on the seabed in an acceptable 
position. The divers will manually reposition the subsea cable, if required. 
From the HDD duct exit point (seaward), approximately 25 m of articulated pipes will be fitted 
over the subsea cable before its burial. The articulated pipes will be installed by divers in 6 m 
water depth. 
Inshore burial of the subsea cable up to 15 m water depth will be undertaken by divers using 
water jetting, airlifting or jetting sledge (as described below). The subsea cable will be buried 
to a target depth of 2 m or to hard ground whichever is reached first. At greater than 10 m 
water depth where it is deemed unsafe to use divers, a mobile ROV crawler will be used (as 
described below). 
Note that the preference is to avoid using divers and only use the ROV crawler for all inshore 
burials, wherever possible. 
Water Jetting 
Handheld water jetting is a system where the diver uses a small portable water pump and fire 
hose often fitted with a special double nozzle to counterbalance the reaction force. This can be 
used from the waterline and out. This tool can also be used to fluidise the sand around the 
subsea cable to allow it to sink deeper into the sediments. The principle here is based on a 
combination of sediment being blown away and fluidisation. 

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Airlifting 
The airlifting tool involves use of a long air hose and compressor. The airlift can be a 6-10 inch 
diameter x 2 m long hard polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe section fitted with a diver operated 
valve that will feed compressed air into the pipe. By holding the tube/pipe section in near 
upright and allowing air into the pipe this will generate a flow up and out of the pipe which in 
turn will start a suction process at the bottom end. The compressor may need to be 
accommodated on a small boat when working. The airlift system can only be considered at 
water depths of more than approximately 2 m. The principle is based on suction removal of 
sediments and will discharge all sediments in the water column. 
Burial Jetting Sledge 
The jetting sledge is the most powerful inshore burial tool as it is often supported by a more 
powerful water pump. This pump can be in the range 100-400 horsepower (HP). This system 
needs a small barge/vessel platform to support the diving team and pumping unit. The jetting 
sledge fluidises the sand around the subsea cable, allowing the subsea cable to be lowered to 
the required depth (where possible). The jetting sledge may tow the pump barge as burial 
progresses. 
Mobile Remotely Operated Vehicle Crawler 
The PLSE vessel will be equipped with a mobile ROV crawler (Figure 3-23) which is a diver-
less subsea ROV used to bury the subsea cable after its installation. Its main features are 425 
HP jetting power and trench width up to 150 mm. The ROV fluidises the sand around the 
subsea cable, allowing the subsea cable to be lowered to the required depth (where possible). 
This ROV is deployed from the PLSE vessel where all the pumps and power feeding equipment 
are installed. 
FIGURE 3-23 MOBILE REMOTELY OPERATED VEHICLE CRAWLER 
 
Source: ASN, [postnr by] inshore burial is not possible due to hard seabed conditions and the subsea cable is deemed 
to be at risk of being moved in the high energy surf zone, it may be pinned to the seabed 
using clamps (as presented in Section 3.3.3).  

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3.4.3  SUBSEA CABLE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE 
At the CLS, the subsea cable will interconnect to inland terrestrial networks, typically via a 
backhaul network into a network provider’s inland Point-of-Presence (PoP). The CLS operations 
will involve powering the subsea cable’s network transmission system, as well as the regular 
monitoring of the subsea cable. Connection from BMH to CLS and activity at the CLS is outside 
the scope of this EIA Screening Report, which encompasses activities from the boundary of 
Danish TS up to the BMH, only. 
The subsea cable is intended to operate with no regular maintenance throughout the projected 
25-year lifespan. However, should a problem be detected and the analysis concludes that 
repair of the subsea cable is damaged or broken, it may be necessary to retrieve and remove 
the damaged segment of the subsea cable and replace with new subsea cable, which is spliced 
into the system. Recovery of the damaged subsea cable involves grapnel activities similar to 
those used in RC operation (Section 3.4.1.1).  
A repair vessel would be deployed and an ROV or electrodes used to determine the location of 
the fault. Once located, the subsea cable would be retrieved to the vessel by grapnels and then 
cut. The cut segment will be recovered on board the repair vessel and retained for disposal 
when onshore. 
Following testing, the faulty portion of the subsea cable would be removed, and a new subsea 
cable segment joined to one end of the subsea cable. The two ends of the subsea cable would 
be re-joined and then lowered back into position on the seabed. If necessary, post-repair 
inspection and burial (PRIB) may be carried out following any subsea cable repairs to bury the 
repaired subsea cable. The repair process itself (including PRIB) would take a minimum of 
seven (7) days, subject to weather conditions. However, this does not take into account 
regional location of the subsea cable and jointing spares, vessel availability and the operational 
/ work permits that may be required by the repair vessel. 
3.4.4 RETIREMENT, ABANDONMENT OR DECOMMISSIONING 
The Aurora Project has a planned in-use life span of 25 years, however the Aurora Project 
could operate long after this period.  
At the end of its life span, the subsea cable and the associated terrestrial infrastructure will be 
dealt with in line with the legislation in force at the time and based on consideration of the 
Best Practicable Environmental Option (BPEO), taking into account socio-economic and 
environmental impacts, technical and financial feasibility and local regulations. The marine 
portion of the Aurora Project, including the subsea cable, and the existing HDD duct and BMH, 
may be dealt with differently in accordance with the following options: 
• 
The subsea cable itself can either be removed or left in situ. Standard international 
industry practice is to leave subsea cables in situ where they have been colonised by 
benthic organisms and the impacts of removal would be greater than the impacts of the 
leaving the subsea cable in place, or where removal of the subsea (and often partially 
buried) cable is technically or economically impractical. The subsea cable will be inert and 
there are no significant long-term environmental impacts from leaving subsea cables in 
situ; 
• 
Should removal of the subsea cable be undertaken, this would involve mobilising a vessel 
to recover the subsea cable and transport it to a suitable location for reuse, recycling or 

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disposal to an appropriate facility. Impacts of removal would be similar in nature to the 
impacts of installation. 
Should a full or partial recovery of the subsea cable be required, a decommissioning plan that 
aligns with industry recommendations and standards (i.e. ICPC Recommendation 1-14A 
‘Management of Decommissioned and Out-of-Service Cables’) will be developed and adhered 
to.  
It should be noted that United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) documentation (Carter et 
al., 2009) points out that the removal of subsea telecommunication cables and associated 
infrastructure should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, as the procedures for withdrawal 
and some local conditions (based on soil / sediment type, crossing other cables, etc.) can often 
have a greater environmental impact than the procedures related to the installation itself. 
3.5 
PROJECT SCHEDULE  
The CRS in Danish waters was completed in September 2024. The results of the CRS have 
been used to inform the final subsea cable route, identifying any obstacles that need to be 
avoided as well as informing the environmental baseline for screening. 
The SEL installation (including PLSE) is anticipated to commence in Q4 2026. The PLSE will be 
undertaken before the other SEL activities. Prior to main subsea cable lay and plough burial, 
the pre-installation activities will take place along the subsea cable route; this is anticipated 
from Q1 2027 to Q2 2027. The main subsea cable lay and plough burial within the Danish TS is 
currently anticipated to commence in Q2 2027. The PLIB will commence after completion of 
the main subsea cable installation. 
The estimated duration for installation from the BMH to the Danish TS boundary is presented in 
Table 3-3. 
Arelion will obtain the required local permits to support landing installation and operation of 
the Aurora Project. It is currently understood that a permit has been granted (on 30 October 
2023) which covers the onshore activities and is valid for activities utilising the existing 
infrastructure for the Aurora Project. Therefore, on this basis, it is understood that a renewal of 
the permit may be required subject to the installation schedule. However, no further permitting 
is required for the onshore activities given the planned reuse of existing infrastructure 
including the HDD duct and BMH.  
On the day of landing, the PLSE operation will normally start at first light of the day. Following 
the landing of the subsea cable, it will take several days to complete in-shore burial activities 
and restore the beach. 
TABLE 3-3 PROPOSED INSTALLATION DURATION FROM THE BMH TO THE DANISH 
TERRITORIAL SEAS BOUNDARY 
Activity 
Estimated Duration (subject to weather 
conditions) 
RC and PLGR 
5 days 
PLSE including onshore subsea cable burial 
(from BMH to HDD duct entry point [landward]) 
9 days 
Inshore Subsea Cable Burial (up to 15 m water 
depth)  
2 days 

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Activity 
Estimated Duration (subject to weather 
conditions) 
Subsea Cable Installation (Including Plough 
Burial [>15 m water depth]) 
3 days 
PLI and PLIB 
3 days 
 
The onshore work between the HDD duct entry (landward) and BMH will be undertaken during 
daylight hours including weekends; same also for the in-shore cable burial activities 
undertaken by divers. 
As the cable needs to be installed in one continuous operation, the PLSE barge will work 24 
hours per day including weekends; same also for the main subsea cable installation (including 
plough burial), the PLB and in-shore burials using the ROV crawler. 

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4. 
EIA SCREENING 
The Executive Order of the Act on Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes and of 
Specific Projects (i.e. EIA) details in two (2) appendices, which projects require an EIA 
(Statutory or after a screening). Subsea cables are not covered in either of the appendices. 
However, the DCA may decide that an EIA must be compiled for a project as a result of their 
screening after the Coastal Habitat Order. 
The DCA is the competent authority to grant the Establishment Permit according to the EIA 
Act’s Section 16a. The Establishment Permit covers both installation phase and operation 
phase.   
This section identifies environmental and social topics and explains why it is appropriate for the 
Aurora Project to be screened out of the requirement for an EIA when considering each topic 
individually as well as the Aurora Project as a whole. Further details on each of these topic 
areas are given below, including a description of the baseline findings and consideration of any 
significant effects. 
4.1 
MARINE PHYSICAL PROCESSES 
This section describes the marine physical processes baseline in the Danish TS and assesses 
the potential for significant effects of the Aurora Project on marine physical processes, which 
can include but are not limited to mechanisms such as sediment transport, erosion and 
deposition or potential bathymetric and oceanographic changes. Impacts of the Aurora Project 
on marine physical processes may include: 
• 
An increase in suspended sediment concentration (SSC); 
• 
Changes to a sediment transport system; 
• 
Changes to coastal and seabed morphology; and 
• 
Changes to wave regime or tidal currents. 
4.1.1 BASELINE 
The marine physical processes offshore Study Area for the Aurora Project in the Danish TS, 
includes a coastal region – adjacent to the subsea cable landing site. It also includes an 
offshore region, which encompasses an area of the eastern North Sea, extending 15 km either 
side of the proposed subsea cable burial route (Figure 4-1). The coastal region of the Study 
Area - approximately 15 km to the north and south of the subsea cable landing site at 
Blaabjerg, Denmark, forms a land bar, less than 2 km in width, that separates the Ringkøbing 
Fjord – a shallow lagoon, from the North Sea. Sandy beaches dominate this stretch of 
coastline, with relief being created by large dune systems that run parallel to the coast. At the 
Blaabjerg landing site, an existing HDD duct (landward) will be utilised for subsea cable burial, 
which will minimise and mitigate the disturbance to the seabed, water column and coastline in 
the initial 150 m of the subsea cable route. The inclusion of both coastal and offshore regions 
in the Study Area, suggest that impacts to both tidal and oceanic currents, coastal and seabed 
erosion, as well as sediment transport and deposition due to works carried out during the 
subsea cable burial must be considered. 

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4.1.1.1 
BATHYMETRY 
Publicly available data and data collected from the CRS (completed in September 2024) have 
been used to investigate bathymetry in the marine physical processes offshore Study Area. 
Here, conditions can be described as being generally shallow, with no abrupt or significant 
bathymetric changes. Depths within the Study Area range from approximately 0.5 m at the 
location of the HDD duct exit point (seaward), 150 m offshore, gradually sloping to a 
maximum depth of approximately 30 m at the Danish TS boundary (EMODnet, 2022). 
4.1.1.2 
SEABED GEOLOGY 
The seabed sediment along the proposed subsea cable route is predominantly made up of a 
fine to medium grained mobile sand layer, with areas of clay being also present. This mobile 
layer is approximately 0.5 m thick in the first 10 km of the route, with substratum composed 
of Eemian Marine Sediments, Holocene Marine Gravel, Miocene Sediments, and an assortment 
of Till and Glaciogenic Sandy Outwash deposits (Leth et al., 2004). Further to the north, areas 
of Clay and Diamicton-dominated seabed can also be found. Morphologically, this mobile sand 
layer forms a series of north-east - south-west trending shoreface-connected ridges that sit 
close to the coast in the area through which the proposed subsea cable route passes, with 
thickness increasing toward the north from an initial approximate 0.5 m, to form two (2) large 
areas of sediment accumulation up to 4 m thick (Anthony and Leth, 2002). Although these 
large accumulations sit just to the north of the proposed subsea cable route, they are 
important to consider for the purpose of understanding the mechanics and direction of 
sediment transport. 

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FIGURE 4-1 SEABED GEOLOGY, AND MARINE PHYSICAL PROCESSES STUDY AREA, AURORA PROJECT, DANISH NORTH SEA 

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4.1.1.3 
WAVES AND TIDES 
The predominant wave direction in the Study Area is approximately north-west and south-east, 
with mean wave heights shown to increase in size moving offshore from the coast. The mean 
wave height at the shoreline is recorded as being less than 1.0 m, increasing to 1.7 m at the 
Danish TS boundary. Maximum significant wave heights at the coast are recorded as being >2 
m, with these measurements increasing to >4 m further offshore (ABPmer, 2024). The north 
north-west-directed tidal flood current is stronger than the tidal ebb current (Leth et al., 
2004), resulting in a northward-dominated current. The tidal range also decreases northward 
and is <1 m in the marine physical processes Study Area. 
4.1.1.4 
SEDIMENT TRANSPORT 
The initial approximate 0.5 m thickness of the mobile sand layer suggests that, where the 
subsea cable makes landfall, sediment supply is low with only a limited amount being available 
for transport at any time (Leth et al., 2004). The morphology of the bedforms found within this 
layer implies that sediment transport is primarily controlled by tidal, and wave induced 
currents, with coastal currents having an overall northward net direction (Knudsen et al., 
2002). The thickening of sediments to the north also alludes to a decrease in tidal strength 
northwards, where suspended sediment carried from the south can no longer be efficiently 
transported. 
4.1.2 EFFECTS ASSESSMENT 
An effect is a physical change resulting from the proposed Aurora Project’s activity, such as a 
change to hydrodynamics or sediment transport due to the placement of infrastructure, whilst 
an impact is the resultant measurable change in the environment. Therefore, an effect does 
not necessarily result in an impact if the environment is not sensitive to it. Table 4-1 asseses 
the potential for significant effects on marine physical processes and impact pathways, as a 
result of installation, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning of the proposed Aurora 
Project. 
The marine physical processes assessment also identifies changes as pathways that affect 
other section topics within the Aurora Project. Therefore, the information on these pressure 
pathways will be utilised by other section topics to inform the potential effects on their key 
receptors, such as changes in suspended sediment on Water and Sediment Quality (Section 
4.2), Benhic Ecology (Section 4.3), Fis and Shellfish Ecology (Section 4.4) or Mrine 
Archaeology (Section 4.13). Thse potential effects are discussed in their respective sections. 
TABLE 4-1 POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS ON MARINE PHYSICAL PROCESSES 
Effect 
Potential for Significant Effects 
Increase in SSC 
An initial increase in SSC is probable, particularly during the 
subsea cable burial phase of the Aurora Project – however this 
is likely to be short term and spatially restricted. The levels of 
suspended sediment may vary however, depending on the 
trenching asset being used and sediment type. Close to shore, 
the use of an existing HDD duct for subsea cable burial will 
mitigate suspended sediment levels at this location. Due to the 
nature of the Aurora Project and the trenching asset to be used 
during subsea cable burial, No Significant Effects or prolonged 
changes to SSC are likely to occur. 

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Effect 
Potential for Significant Effects 
Change to sediment transport 
system 
Changes to a sediment transport system may occur if significant 
quantities of sediment are removed from the seafloor, or if 
permanent infrastructure associated with subsea cable burial is 
installed e.g. subsea c uarternary 
able protection. 
Installation of such infrastructure often results in areas of 
increased sediment scouring or deposition, and a resultant 
change in the overall concentration of sediment being 
transported. Currently there is no such subsea cable protection 
installation planned, nor should quantities of sediment be 
removed from the seabed. Therefore No Significant Effects to 
the sediment transport system are likely to occur. 
Changes to coastal and seabed 
morphology 
At the coast, an existing HDD duct will be utilised to facilitate 
subsea cable burial, emerging on the seabed approximately 150 
m from the shoreline, thus ensuring that any potential effects 
that the Aurora Project may have on coastal morphology are 
mitigated. However, any indirect changes from temporary 
infrastructure linked to installation in the nearshore may 
potentially result in scour. Offshore, although a series of ridges 
can be found within the mobile sand layer, effective route 
engineering ensures that large ridges with significant slope will 
be avoided, and smaller features will typically be crossed 
perpendicularly. During subsea cable burial, the plough will 
simultaneously lay and bury the subsea cable, with the trench 
immediately backfilled as the plough advances. This, coupled 
with the mobile nature of this sand layer will ensure that any 
changes to seabed morphology will be minimal and spatially 
restricted. The installation vessel being deployed is also fitted 
with a dynamic positioning system. Therefore, anchoring during 
deployment will not be required, again ensuring that damage to 
the seabed is negligible. The utilisation of the existing HDD duct 
nearshore, coupled with effective route engineering offshore, 
will ensure that No Significant Effects are likely to occur to 
the coastal or seabed morphology during the installation of the 
Aurora Project. 
Changes to wave regime or tidal 
currents 
Anthropogenic changes to wave regimes and tidal currents can 
often be attributed to newly created infrastructure that can act 
as a physical barrier to the flow of tidal currents, or wave 
action. The subsea cable will be buried offshore where possible 
and an existing HDD duct will be used in the nearshore. 
Therefore No Significant Effects are predicted to occur to 
either the wave regime or tidal currents in the Study Area. 
4.1.3 SCREENING OUTCOMES 
The potential impacts to marine physical processes during the installation, operation and 
maintenance, and decommissioning phases of the Aurora Project, are determined to be 1. An 
increase in SSC, 2. Changes to the sediment transport system, 3. Changes to the coastal and 
seabed morphology, and 4. Changes to the wave regime or tidal currents within the Study 
Area. 
Due to the nature of the Aurora Project, the lack of permanent infrastructure being installed 
above the seabed, the type of trenching asset being utilised, and effective route engineering, it 
is considered that any potential impacts will likely be negligible, short term and spatially 
restricted. 
Based on these considerations, it was determined that there will be No Significant Effects to 
marine physical processes associated with the Aurora Project within the Study Area. 

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4.2 
WATER AND SEDIMENT QUALITY 
This section describes the water and sediment quality baseline in the Danish TS and assesses 
the potential for significant effects of the Aurora Project on water and sediment quality. 
Impacts of the Aurora Project on water and sediment quality may include: 
• 
Decrease in water quality from temporary increase of total SSC and siltation; 
• 
Decrease in water and sediment quality from accidental release of pollutants from the 
installation vessel and plant machinery; 
• 
Decrease in water and sediment quality from release of seabed contaminants through 
sediment disturbance; 
• 
Decrease of WFD designated water bodies status due to a decrease in quality of the quality 
elements and statutory receptors; and 
• 
Decrease in bathing waters classification due to a decrease in water quality. 
Water and sediment quality are included in the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) 
(2008/56/ EC) under descriptors D5 (Eutrophication), D6 (Seabed Integrity), D7 
(Hydrophysical conditions) and D8 (Contaminants). This section will also consider the WFD 
(2000/60/EC), the WFD designated coastal and transitional water bodies and the related 
statutory receptors potentially affected by the Aurora Project activities. 
4.2.1 BASELINE 
4.2.1.1 
WATER QUALITY 
Water quality is affected by its physical properties (i.e. salinity, temperature and SSC), the 
concentration of chlorophyll-a, nutrients, metals, hydrocarbons and other contaminants listed 
under the Environmental Quality Standards Directive (EQSD) (2008/105/EC) (concentrations 
above Environmental Quality Standards [EQS] thresholds define pollution).  
Salinity and Temperature  
Water circulation dynamics in the central North Sea are driven by differences in the physical 
properties of the water masses (e.g. salinity and temperature) meeting in the North Sea basin. 
Sea surface temperatures (SST) are subject to seasonal variation, with the surface 
temperature averaging approximately 7 degrees Celsius (˚C) in winter months and between 
15-19˚C in summer months (DHI, 2014). The lowest temperature is found in the northern 
section and the highest temperature is found in the shallow areas of the southern section of 
the North Sea. 
Salinity within the North Sea basin ranges between 25 to 35 practical salinity units (PSU) 
(EMODnet, 2024). In the west, it is generally more saline, becoming brackish at coastal areas 
in the east due to freshwater runoff, freshwater inflow from estuaries and rivers and close 
proximity to the Baltic Sea (European Environment Agency [EEA], 2008). 
Nutrients and primary production 
The North Sea is characterised by seasonally stratified waters affecting biogeochemical and 
primary productivity cycles. Nutrients reach the North Sea through land runoff, the 
atmosphere, weathering processes, rivers and direct discharges including nitrogen, 
phosphorous and silicate, which are discharged due to anthropogenic sources. Anthropogenic 
sources include agriculture, aquaculture, combustion and wastewater activities. The levels of 

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dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and dissolved inorganic phosphorous (DIP), during the 
winter season, is indicative of the quantity of these discharges in the water column and 
consequently, water quality (OSPAR, 2017). Nitrogen levels in rivers which flow out into the 
North Sea typically originates from agricultural use of fertiliser, and the presence of 
phosphorous from erosion or wastewater (EEA, 2008).  
Dissolved macronutrients enrichment can cause rapid primary producers’ growth 
(phytoplankton bloom) leading to excess algal biomass and eutrophication (MSFD Descriptor 5) 
events; these are characterised by high concentrations of chlorophyll-a (indicator parameter) 
(Song et al., 2022). Primary production in relation to marine biodiversity (MSFD Descriptor 1) 
and food webs (MSFD Descriptor 4) is considered to ensure good environmental status by 
monitoring abundance and distribution. Excess abundance of primary producers can lead to 
eutrophication, which can decrease available oxygen concentration (hypoxia) due to bacteria-
driven decomposition processes and algal respiration induced by light-limitation, subsequently 
affecting the growth of other living organisms in the area (EEA, 2008).  
Average winter concentrations of DIN and DIP in the North Sea are shown in Figure 4-2, 
respectively (OSPAR, 2017). The concentration of dissolved macronutrients is higher along 
coastal areas.

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FIGURE 4-2 DISSOLVED INORGANIC NITROGEN (LEFT) AND DISSOLVED INORGANIC PHOSPHOROUS (RIGHT) IN THE DANISH NORTH 
SEA (1990-2014)   
 
 
 
 
Source: OSPAR, 2017 

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At the proposed subsea cable landfall, the DIN concentration is 95 micromolar (µM), with the 
concentration decreasing with increasing distance from land to 0-4 µM. The DIP concentration 
at the landing site is 0.4-0.5 µM, which decreases with increasing distance from land to as low 
as 0.1 µM. 
4.2.1.2 
WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE  
The WFD (2000/60/EC) has been the main law for water protection in Europe and focuses on 
ensuring all groundwater and surface waters achieve ‘good’ ecological status / potential by 
2027, including coastal and transitional water bodies, bathing water, protected sites and 
shellfish waters up to 1 nm off the coast and 12 nm for chemical status.  
The assessment of the impacts from the Aurora Project’s installation activities on compliance 
with the WFD has utilised the generic environmental objectives outlined in Article 4.1 of the 
WFD. These objectives include: 
• 
Objective 1: Avoid any alterations that could affect or lead to a failure in achieving Good 
Ecological Status (GES) or Potential for surface water, or lead to a decline in surface water 
Ecological Status or Potential; and 
• 
Objective 2: Prevent any changes that may permanently obstruct or undermine the 
achievement of Environmental Objectives in other water bodies. 
This evaluation has been conducted for the relevant water bodies to pinpoint potential 
alterations in hydromorphological aspects, and physical and biological quality elements 
attributable to the preferred option. The WFD Compliance Assessment methodology is 
completed in the following stages: 
• 
Stage 1 Screening: identify activities associated with the Aurora Project (at each phase) 
that have the potential to have an impact, and identify the water bodies hydrologically 
connected to the Aurora Project activity; 
• 
Stage 2 Scoping: identify the potential risks to each water body and each receptor; and 
• 
Stage 3 Impact Assessment: assess the hydrological connectivity (pathway) of the site 
investigation activities (source) on the WFD water bodies and other statutory receptors. 
Further considerations are then made in relation to additional mitigation measures required to 
prevent impact on the WFD water body status. 
The Executive Order on Water Planning (LBK no. 126 of 26/01/2017) implements the WFD in 
Denmark. In accordance with this legislation, the Danish Ministry of the Environment is the 
authority responsible for implementing the WFD and published a management plan for each 
sub-region covering the period 2021-2027 (DHI, 2021).  
The WFD sites within 2 km (WFD impact radius) of the Study Area can be seen in Figure 4-3.

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FIGURE 4-3 WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE WATER BODIES LOCATED WITHIN 1 NAUTICAL MILE OF THE DANISH COAST AND LOCATED 
WITHIN 2 KILOMETRES OF THE AURORA PROJECT STUDY AREA 
 
Source: Miljøministeriet Miljøstyrelsen, 2021. Amended by ERM, 2024.

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The current status of the WFD water bodies and designated protected sites of interest is 
detailed in Table 4-1. 
TABLE 4-1 ECOLOGICAL STATUS OF WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECIVE WATER BODIES 
LOCATED WITHIN 1 NAUTICAL MILE OF THE DANISH COAST AND DESIGNATED PROTECTED 
SITES 
Receptor 
Category 
Status/Classification 
(2021) 
Distance 
from route 
(km) 
Distance 
from 
Study 
Area (km) 
Ringkøbing Fjord 
Coastal Water 
Body 
Good Ecological Potential  
1 
1 
Vesterhavet Nord 
Coastal Water 
Body 
Good Ecological Status 
1 
0 
Vesterhavet, årgab 
Bathing Water 
Excellent 
4.9 
2.1 
Bjerge strand 
hv.sande 
Bathing Water 
Excellent  
6.4 
3.5 
Vesterhavet, hvide 
sande 
Bathing Water 
Excellent  
7.2 
4.1 
Hv.sande nord 
Bathing Water 
Excellent  
11.0 
3.9 
Bjerregård 
(ringkøbing fjord 
sydvest) 
Bathing Water 
Good 
6.6 
4.7 
Shellfish Waters 
N/A 
0 
0 
Source: Miljøministeriet Miljøstyrelsen, [postnr by] Fjord under assessment is presently categorised as a Heavily Modified Water 
Body (HMWB) which possesses a designated set of mitigation measures aimed at facilitating 
the attainment of GES. The Aurora Project activities will not interfere with the implementation 
of these mitigation measures. It should also be noted that the landing site at Blaabjerg is likely 
to go through WFD designated shellfish waters and in proximity to designated Natura 2000 
sites (see Section 4.17 [Designated Sites for Nature Conservation: Natura [postnr by]]). 
The WFD Assessment considers existing conditions of the following quality elements to 
determine the ecological status of the water body: 
• 
Phytoplankton; 
• 
Rooted plants (cover seeded); 
• 
Benthic invertebrates; 
• 
Water clarity; 
• 
Oxygen conditions; and 
• 
Nationally specific substances. 
The chemical status is determined from identification of water pollutants known as ‘priority 
substances’ that pose the greatest concern and risk to and via the aquatic environment across 
the EU. 
The ecological and chemical condition, considering the above quality elements, can be seen for 
both coastal water bodies present within the Study Area (Table 4-2). 

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TABLE 4-2 EXISTING CONDITIONS CONSIDERING WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE 
QUALITY ELEMENTS 
Quality 
Elements 
Ringkøbing Fjord 
Vesterhavet Nord  
Ecological conditions 
Phytoplankton 
Good ecological potential 
Good ecological status 
Rooted plants 
(cover 
seeded) 
Good ecological potential 
Good ecological status 
Benthic 
invertebrates 
Good ecological potential 
Good ecological status 
Water clarity 
Good ecological status 
Good ecological status 
Oxygen 
conditions 
Good ecological status 
Good ecological status 
Nationally 
Specific 
Substances 
Good ecological potential 
Good ecological status 
Chemical conditions 
EU priority 
substances 
Good (coastal waters out to 1 
nm) 
Good (1 nm out to 12 nm) 
Good (coastal waters out to 1 nm) 
Good (1 nm out to 12 nm) 
Source: Miljøministeriet Miljøstyrelsen, [postnr by] to the large size of the water bodies, the small size of the subsea cable landing site and 
the short-term nature of the Aurora Project activities, no quality elements will be significantly 
impacted by the Aurora Project activities. Therefore, the Aurora Project will not affect the 
status of the water bodies and is consequently considered to be WFD compliant. 
4.2.1.3 
SEDIMENT QUALITY 
Sediment quality is determined by the concentration of compounds such as heavy metals, 
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and hydrocarbons. Table 4-3 shows the guidelines published 
by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency relating the threshold values for marine 
sediments pollution applicable to Denmark. A Lower Action Level threshold (harmless level of 
contamination) and an Upper Action Level threshold (harmful contamination) are set for the 
concentration of metals, PCBs, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other pollutants 
in marine sediments (OSPAR, 2008).  
TABLE 4-3 DANISH ACTION LEVELS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES 
Substance 
Lower Action Level, mg/kg DW 
Upper Action Level, mg/kg DW 
Copper (Cu) 
20 
90 (200 kg/year/port) 
Mercury (Hg) 
0.25 
1 
Nickel (Ni) 
30 
60 
Zinc (Zn) 
130 
500 
Cadmium (Cd) 
0.4 
2.5 

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Substance 
Lower Action Level, mg/kg DW 
Upper Action Level, mg/kg DW 
Arsenic (As) 
20 
60 
Lead (Pb) 
40 
200 
Chromium (Cr) 
50 
270 
Tributyltin (TBT) 
0.007 
0.2 (1 kg/year/port) 
PCB 
0.02 
0.2 
PAH 
3 
30 
Source: LBK 9702 of 20/10/[postnr by] metals are an essential element which are naturally occurring in low concentrations and 
include mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr) and zinc (Zn). 
Human activities have increased metal concentrations in the marine environment, which can 
be toxic above threshold concentrations and bioaccumulates in higher trophic levels of marine 
organisms (biomagnification) (Danovaro et al., 2023). Heavy metals have a wide industrial use 
including batteries, fertilisers, paints and ships. In the southern North Sea, sources of zinc 
(Zn) and lead (Pb) in the sediments have been associated with Elbe and Weser River 
discharges from anthropogenic mining in the Harz Mountains and the German Erzgebirge 
regions. 
NIVA (2020) assessed the level of contamination of Danish TS, which measured concentrations 
of different contaminants compared with agreed threshold values to determine a 
contamination ratio. The assessment uses CHASE+ classifications of a numerical scale 1: High, 
2: Good, 3: Moderate, 4: Poor and 5: Bad, which uses OSPAR contamination thresholds (ICES, 
2022). Level 3-5 contamination is defined as ‘problem areas’ where there is evidence of 
undesirable disturbance to the marine ecosystem due to contaminants (Tett et al., 2008).  
At the proposed landing site, the contamination level is level 3 contamination (moderate), 
increasing to level 5 contamination (bad) further offshore, and returns to moderate 
contamination in the north of the Danish EEZ. There are small areas of level 1 (high) and level 
2 (good) classification inshore. The main offshore anthropogenic sources of contamination 
include shipping, aquaculture, oil spills, deep-sea mining and offshore oil platforms.  

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FIGURE 4-4 ARINE CONTAMINANTS IN THE DANISH NORTH SEA 
 
Source: NIVA, [postnr by] triggering substances for ‘problem areas’ within sediment were metals (i.e. mercury (Hg), 
cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), etc.), organobromines, PCBs, other organohalogens, 
PAHs, imposex, organotins and organochlorines respectively. Some of the most toxic 
contaminants, such as the PCB congener CB118, mercury and cadmium, are likely to continue 
to pose a risk for marine organisms (OSPAR, 2017). 
4.2.2 EFFECTS ASSESSMENT  
Based on current parameters that are of relevance to water and sediment quality, Table 4-4 
assesses the potential for significant effects on water and sediment quality receptors and 
impact pathways, as a result of installation, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning 
of the proposed Aurora Project.  
TABLE 4-4 POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS ON WATER AND SEDIMENT QUALITY 
Effects 
Potential for Significant Effects 
Decrease in water quality from 
temporary increase of temporary 
SSC and siltation  
During the installation period, through trenching activities, 
seabed sediments will be disturbed and resuspended. 
Resuspended sediments may create a temporary and 
localised plume which will settle and deposit back on the 
seabed. The levels of suspended sediment may very 
however, depending on the trenching asset being used and 
sediment type. Close to shore, the use of an existing HDD 
duct will avoid disturbance of seabed sediments at this 
location. Therefore, while there may be some impact on 
water and sediment quality, only a small amount of 
sediment is expected to be disturbed and due to the small 
scale and short term nature of the Aurora Project, there will 
be No Significant Effect on water and sediment quality from 
temporary SSC, turbidity and siltation.   

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Effects 
Potential for Significant Effects 
Decrease in water and sediment 
quality from accidental release of 
pollutants from vessels and plant 
machinery 
During installation, the installation vessel and associated 
equipment will be in use, which poses the risk of accidental 
release of pollutants (e.g. oils, diesel and lubricants). The 
magnitude of an accidental spill is expected to be limited to 
a short period and be further reduced through adoption of 
appropriate standard mitigation measures and the limited 
chemical or oil inventory for the installation vessel and any 
onshore plant machinery (see Sections 2.1 and 3.4.1). In 
the event of accidental release of pollutants, spills and 
leaks, these compounds could enter the underlying water 
column, where they will be transported and dispersed by 
currents and deposited over distances which will introduce 
potentially long-term changes to the receptors. Due to the 
nature of the Aurora Project, and the implemented 
embedded mitigation measures (Section 5.1) and 
management plans in place, it is expected there will be No 
Significant Effect on water and sediment quality.  
Decrease in water and sediment 
quality from release of seabed 
contaminants through sediment 
disturbance 
During the installation period, seabed sediments will be 
disturbed and resuspended. Resuspended sediments may 
contain settled contaminants such as heavy metals and 
other pollutants, which will be resuspended within a 
temporary plume of higher SSC, which will settle locally and 
deposit back on the seabed. This impact may alter water 
and sediment quality through seabed sediment changes. 
Although there is only a small amount of sediment expected 
to be disturbed, the high concentrations of nutrients and 
contaminants assessed in the sediment show there is 
potential for release of contaminants in resuspended 
sediment, which will suspend into the water column and 
reduce water quality. The use of a sea plough to install and 
bury the subsea cable in one (1) process, together with the 
use of an existing HDD duct through the nearshore area and 
the small scale and short duration of activities for the 
installation, operation and maintenance, and 
decommissioning phases mean that No Significant Effect 
on water and sediment quality is anticipated.  
Decrease of WFD designated water 
bodies status due to a decrease in 
quality of the quality elements and 
statutory receptors 
During the installation period which introduces seabed and 
water column disturbances, the quality elements 
determining the ecological and chemical status of the 
designated WFD water bodies may be affected on a 
temporary basis. 
Decrease in bathing waters 
classification due to a decrease in 
water quality 
During the installation period which introduces seabed and 
water column disturbances and the potential for unplanned 
events to occur, the water quality of bathing waters may be 
affected temporarily. 
4.2.3 SCREENING OUTCOMES 
The impacts associated with the installation, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning 
of the Aurora Project were determined to be temporary, including increase of temporary SSC 
and siltation, accidental release of pollutants from the installation vessel and plant machinery, 
accidental release of contaminants through sediment disturbance on water and sediment 
quality receptors, and potential for a decrease in status of water bodies and decrease in 
bathing water classification as part of the WFD. No Significant Effects are expected from any 
of the impacts on water and sediment quality receptors. 

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A WFD compliance assessment has been carried out within this EIA Screening Report to 
comply with the Danish legislation requiring that the receptors protected by the WFD are not 
impacted by the Aurora Project activities. The Aurora Project activities are expected to have, at 
most, temporary and short-term impacts to designated WFD water bodies. Temporary impacts 
are not considered to result in deterioration in WFD status of the water body, if the water 
body: 
• 
Is only impacted for a short period of time; 
• 
Recovers within a short-term period (one [1] to two [2] tidal cycles, or 14-28 days); 
and/or 
• 
Recovers without the need for any restoration measures. 
Therefore, the Aurora Project activities will not cause deterioration in WFD status of any 
designated coastal or transitional water body, or hinder the implementation of any mitigation 
measures necessary for the water body to maintain good environmental potential within 2 km 
of the Study Area. 
4.3 
BENTHIC ECOLOGY 
This section describes the benthic ecology baseline in the Danish TS and assesses the potential 
for significant effects of the Aurora Project on benthic ecology receptors. Impacts of the Aurora 
Project on benthic ecology may include: 
• 
Temporary habitat disturbance; 
• 
Long-term loss of habitat; 
• 
Temporary increase in SSC, turbidity, and siltation; 
• 
Accidental release of pollutants from the installation vessel; 
• 
Accidental release of contaminants through sediment disturbance; 
• 
Introduction and colonisation of infrastructure by Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS); and 
• 
Long-term changes in physical processes. 
4.3.1 BASELINE 
The landing site in Norre Nebel, at Blaabjerg, Denmark comprises sandy beaches backed by 
sand dunes. There is limited information available on the intertidal habitats present at the 
landing site, however based on available information these are expected to be characteristic of 
the European Nature Information System (EUNIS) broadscale habitat MA52 ‘Atlantic littoral 
sand’ (EEA, 2024). 
Analysis of the Viking Link landfall location approximately 18.5 km south of the Blaabjerg 
plantation (2014-2016) and investigations approximately 36 km south of the Aurora Project 
landing site at Horns Rev III offshore windfarm, concluded there were no macroflora in the 
shallow coastal waters (Randløv et al., 2019). The nearshore waters of the Viking Link 
comprised soft-bottom fauna communities characterised by the clam (Limecola balthica) 
(Randløv et al., 2019). The nearshore waters of the Horns Rev III offshore windfarm comprise 
fine sediments, with sand that is silty / clayey (Macnaughton et al., 2014). The highest 
percentages of 3-4% of silt and clay were found near the coast, and this provides a suitable 
habitat for species such as cut trough shell (Spisula subtruncata). 

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Further offshore within the Danish TS, seabed sediment along the Viking Link cable route 
consisted of sandy sediments characterised by Tellina fabula, Montacuta ferruginosa and 
Echinocardium cordatum (Randløv et al., 2019). In the offshore waters of the Horns Rev III 
offshore windfarm, the sediment is sandy and can vary from gravel, gravelly sand, and sand in 
the southern and western parts of the area, which becomes finer towards the north-east, with 
minor fractions of silt and clay (Macnaughton et al., 2014). The habitat in the Horns Rev III 
offshore windfarm was dominated by fine to coarse sand, which contains infauna such as 
burrowing bivalves and polychaetes, as well as generalist species such as Pagurus bernhardus, 
Carcinus maenas and Asterias rubens.  
Broad-scale habitat (BSH) benthic data was sourced from EUSeaMap (EMODnet, 2024) with 
spatial mapping of level 2 to 4 classified habitats. Figure 4-5 shows the spatial distribution of 
the broad scale habitats present along the subsea cable. The seabed present along the subsea 
cable is predominantly comprised of sand (A5.25 circalittoral fine sand or A5.26 circalittoral 
muddy sand), with a smaller patch of mixed sediment (A5.44 circalittoral mixed sediments). 
The seabed close to shore is comprised of fine sand (A5.23 infralittoral fine sand or A5.24 
infralittoral muddy sand). Table 4-5 summarises the dominant sedimentary biotopes present 
along the subsea cable, as described by EEA (2024).

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FIGURE 4-5 EUNIS BIOTOPES PRESENT ALONG THE SUBSEA CABLE 

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TABLE 4-5 EUNIS HABITATS PRESENT ALONG THE SUBSEA CABLE  
EUNIS [postnr by] 
Classification   
EUNIS 2012 
(amended 2019) 
Habitat 
Classification 
Description 
Sublittoral sand 
MB523 Faunal 
communities of full 
salinity Atlantic 
infralittoral sand 
A5.23 or A5.24 
Infralittoral fine sand 
or Infralittoral muddy 
sand 
(A5.23) Clean sands which occur in shallow 
water, either on the open coast or in tide-
swept channels of marine inlets. Typically 
lacks a significant seaweed component and is 
characterised by robust fauna, particularly 
amphipods (Bathyporeia) and robust 
polychaetes including Nephtys 
cirrosa and Lanice conchilega. 
(A5.24) Non-cohesive muddy sand (with 5%-
20% silt / clay) in the infralittoral zone, 
extending from the extreme lower shore down 
to more stable circalittoral zone at about 15-
20 m. Supports polychaetes (Magelona 
mirabilis, Spiophanes bombyx and Chaetozone 
setosa), bivalves (Fabulina 
fibula and Chamelea gallina) and the 
urchin (Echinocardium cordatum). 
MC521 Faunal 
communities of Atlantic 
circalittoral sand  
A5.25 or A5.26 
Circalittoral fine sand 
or Circalittoral muddy 
sand 
(A5.25) Clean fine sands with <5% silt/clay in 
deeper water, either on the open coast or in 
tide-swept channels of marine inlets in depths 
>15-20 m. Habitat may also extend offshore. 
Characterised by a wide range of echinoderms, 
polychaetes, and bivalves. Habitat generally 
more stable than shallower, infralittoral sands 
and consequently supports a more diverse 
community.  
(A5.26) Circalittoral non-cohesive muddy 
sands with the silt content of the substratum 
typically ranging from 5%-20%. Generally 
found in water depths >15-20 m. 
Characterised by a wide variety of 
polychaetes, bivalves such as Abra 
alba and Nucula nitidosa, and echinoderms 
such as Amphiura spp., Ophiura spp., 
and Astropecten irregularis. These habitats 
tend to be more stable than their infralittoral 
counterparts, and as such support a richer 
infaunal community. 
Sublittoral mixed sediments 
MC421 Faunal 
communities of Atlantic 
circalittoral mixed 
sediment  
A5.44 Circalittoral 
mixed sediments 
Mixed (heterogeneous) sediment habitats in 
the circalittoral zone (generally >15-20 m) 
including well mixed muddy gravelly sands or 
very poorly sorted mosaics of shell, cobbles 
and pebbles embedded in or lying upon mud, 
sand or gravel. A wide range of infaunal 
polychaetes, bivalves, echinoderms and 
burrowing anemones such as Cerianthus 
lloydii are often present. The presence of hard 
substrata (shells and stones) on the surface 
enables epifaunal species to become 
established, particularly hydroids such 
as Nemertesia spp. and Hydrallmania falcata. 

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EUNIS [postnr by] 
Classification   
EUNIS 2012 
(amended 2019) 
Habitat 
Classification 
Description 
The combination of epifauna and infauna can 
lead to species rich communities.  
Source: EEA, 2024; EMODnet, [postnr by] are no Annex I habitats or nature conservation sites relevant to benthic ecology 
receptors that overlap with the subsea cable route or the landing site at Blaabjerg, Denmark 
(Figure 4-6). The closest nature conservation site to the subsea cable is Sandbanker ud for 
Thorsminde (DK00VA341) located approximately 31 km to the north of the subsea cable, 
which is designated for the protection of Annex I Sandbanks which are slightly covered by sea 
water all the time (H1110). No known OSPAR threatened and / or declining habitats occur in 
close proximity to the subsea cable route (EMODnet, 2024). 

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FIGURE 4-6 KNOWN PROPOSED AND EXISTING PROTECTED AREAS, AND SENSITIVE HABITATS IN DANISH EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE 
AND TERRITORIAL SEAS 

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4.3.2 EFFECTS ASSESSMENT 
Table 4-6 assesses the potential for significant effects on benthic ecology receptors and 
impact pathways, as a result of installation, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning 
of the proposed Aurora Project. 
TABLE 4-6 POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS ON BENTHIC ECOLOGY 
Effects 
Potential for Significant Effects 
Temporary habitat disturbance 
There is the potential for the temporary loss and / or damage to 
habitats and species as a result of activities relating to the 
installation activities of the Aurora Project (e.g. direct 
disturbance from installation vessel anchoring and installation of 
the subsea cable) during operation and maintenance activities 
(e.g. direct disturbance from vessels anchoring and, operation 
and maintenance activities), and decommissioning. This 
physical disturbance to the seabed and intertidal areas may 
alter the local habitat for supporting species, which can reduce 
habitat suitability and resources, resulting in displacement of 
fauna to more suitable areas. However, due to the small scale of 
the Aurora Project and the short timeframe of the installation, 
operation and maintenance, and decommissioning activities, No 
Significant Effect on the benthic ecology receptor groups is 
expected. 
Long-term loss of habitat 
There is the potential for long-term loss to benthic habitats as a 
result of activities relating to the installation, operation and 
maintenance, and decommissioning phases of the Aurora 
Project (e.g. long-term placement of scour protection). Given 
there is no plan for installation of such subsea cable protection 
and based on the small scale of the Aurora Project and the 
short timeframe of the installation, operation and maintenance, 
and decommissioning activities, No Significant Effect on the 
benthic ecology receptor groups is expected due to loss of 
habitat. 
Temporary increase in SSC, 
turbidity, and siltation 
Sediment disturbance resulting from installation, operation and 
maintenance, and decommissioning activities may result in 
increased SSC and may result in indirect impacts on benthic 
communities, resulting from the associated impacts of sediment 
deposition. This will increase water column turbidity, and 
subsequently result in increased siltation and smothering of 
sessile fauna and / or clogging of their feeding apparatus from 
sediment deposition. However, due to the small scale of the 
Aurora Project and the short timeframe of the installation, 
operation and maintenance, and decommissioning activities, No 
Significant Effect on the benthic ecology receptor groups is 
expected. 
Accidental release of pollutants 
from vessels 
There is the risk of accidental release of pollutants such as oils, 
diesel, and lubricants from Aurora Project’s installation vessel 
during the installation, operation and maintenance, and 
decommissioning phases. Such impacts may result in sub-lethal 
and lethal effects on benthic fauna, and alteration in their 
supporting habitats.  
The magnitude of an accidental spill is expected to be limited by 
the chemical or oil inventory on the installation vessel. Any 
accidental release may be expected to be of a greater relative 
significance to benthic receptors across the landfall and shallow 
subtidal areas of the Aurora Project, where the risk of 
impingement and interaction is higher. The use of an existing 
HDD through the nearshore zone greatly reduces this risk. 
Embedded mitigation measures (Section 5.1) will be adopted 

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Effects 
Potential for Significant Effects 
so that the potential risk for accidental release of pollutants is 
reduced. Due to the limited inventory and the very low 
likelihood of an accidental release over the timeframe of the 
installation, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning 
activities, No Significant Effect on the benthic ecology 
receptor groups is expected. 
Accidental release of 
contaminants through sediment 
disturbance  
The North Sea has a high proportion of contaminated 
sediments. During the installation, operation and maintenance, 
and decommissioning activities, there is potential for sediment 
disturbance, which may re-mobilise contaminated sediments 
into the environment. The resuspension of contaminants may 
increase the bioavailability of these compounds to benthic 
fauna, impacting their physiology and overall fitness, and 
influencing local community structure. The use of a subsea 
cable installation plough to install and bury the subsea cable in 
one (1) process, within a narrow trench (typically around 0.2 m 
wide) will limit remobilisation of any potentially contaminated 
sediments. Due to the factors above, the small scale of the 
Aurora Project and the short timeframe of the installation, 
operation and maintenance, and decommissioning activities, No 
Significant Effect on the benthic ecology receptor groups is 
expected. 
Introduction and colonisation of 
infrastructure by INNS  
Vessel and personnel activities during the installation, operation 
and maintenance, and decommissioning activities have the 
potential to introduce INNS into the area, which could result in 
long-term colonisation of hard structures by INNS fauna, 
whereby these structures provide suitable artificial habitat for 
settlement. INNS taxa may outcompete and replace native 
fauna, altering a community’s structure and functioning. The 
installation vessel will follow established industry standards to 
mitigate the risk of introducing INNS, including ballast water 
management standards as prescribed by the IMO. In addition, 
the subsea cable will be buried where possible and therefore, 
hard structures will be limited for colonisation by INNS. Due to 
the factors above, the small scale of the Aurora Project and the 
short timeframe of the installation, operation and maintenance, 
and decommissioning activities, No Significant Effect on the 
benthic ecology receptor groups is expected. 
Long-term changes in physical 
processes 
The long-term placement of infrastructure on the seabed (e.g. 
subsea cable protection) may result in changes in seabed 
morphology and tidal currents, causing localised scouring in 
these areas. Scour can result in localised loss of sediment, 
which can physically alter habitats and in turn affect benthic 
communities. Currently, there is no such subsea cable 
protection installation planned, nor should quantities of 
sediment be removed from the seabed. Due to the factors 
above, the small scale of the Aurora Project and the short 
timeframe the installation, operation and maintenance, and 
decommissioning activities, No Significant Effect on the 
benthic ecology receptor groups is expected. 
4.3.3 SCREENING OUTCOMES 
The potential impacts associated with installation of the subsea cable were determined to be 
temporary habitat disturbance, long-term loss of habitat, temporary increase in SSC, turbidity, 
and siltation, accidental release of pollutants from vessels, accidental release of contaminants 
through sediment disturbance, introduction and colonisation of infrastructure by INNS, and 
long-term changes in physical processes.  

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Based on the above, No Significant Effects are expected from any of the impacts on any of 
the benthic ecology receptor groups. 
4.4 
FISH AND SHELLFISH ECOLOGY 
This section describes the fish and shellfish ecology baseline in the Danish TS and assesses the 
potential for significant effects of the Aurora Project on fish and shellfish ecology receptors. 
Impacts of the Aurora Project on fish and shellfish ecology may include: 
• 
Direct damage; 
• 
Habitat disturbance; 
• 
Smothering due to suspended sediments; and 
• 
Underwater noise. 
4.4.1 BASELINE 
The fish and shellfish ecology receptors can be categorised into five (5) groups: 
• 
Elasmobranchs; 
• 
Demersal fish; 
• 
Pelagic fish; 
• 
Shellfish; and 
• 
Migratory fish. 
4.4.1.1 
ELASMOBRANCHS 
The elasmobranch species known to be present in the waters of western Denmark consist of 
sharks, rays and skates. The shark species known to be present include porbeagle (Lamna 
nasus), spurdog (Squalus acanthias), basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus), thresher shark 
(Alopias vulpinus), blue shark (Prionace glauca), tope (Galeorhinus galeus), smoothhound 
(Mustelus mustelus), starry smoothhound (Mustelus asterias), small-spotted catshark 
(Scyliorhinus canicula), nursehound (Scyliorhinus stellaris), blackmouth catshark (Galeus 
melastomus), velvet belly lanternshark (Etmopterus spinax) and Greenland shark (Somniosus 
microcephalus). The following skate and ray species are also known to be present in Danish 
waters; longnose skate (Dipturus oxyrinchus), Norwegian skate (Dipturus nidarosiensis), blue 
skate (Dipturus batis), sailray (Dipturus linteus), spotted ray (Raja montagui), undulate ray 
(Raja undulata), thornback ray (Raja clavata), starry ray (Amblyraja radiata), round ray 
(Rajella fyllae), shagreen ray (Leucoraja fullonica), cuckoo ray (Leucoraja naevus) and sandy 
ray (Leucoraja circularis) (CMS, 2023). 
4.4.1.2 
DEMERSAL FISH 
There are several demersal fish species which have spawning grounds overlapping the subsea 
cable route. These species are of commercial importance and include sole (Solea vulgaris), cod 
(Gadus morhua), lemon sole (Microstomus kitt) and sandeel (Ammodytes spp.) (Figure 4-7). 
Other demersal fish known to be common in the region are haddock (Melanogrammus 
aeglefinus), common dab (Limanda limanda), plaice (Pleuronectes platessa), sole (Soleidae 
spp.), turbot (Psetta maxima), flounder (Paralichthys dentatus), hooknose (Agonus 
cataphractus), sand goby (Pomatoschistus minutus), saithe (Pollachius virens), Norway pout 

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(Trisopterus esmarki), dragonets (Callionymidae spp.), and gurnards (Triglidae spp.) (Ramboll, 
2019). 
4.4.1.3 
PELAGIC FISH 
There are two (2) pelagic fish species known to have spawning grounds overlapping the subsea 
cable route. These are mackerel (Scomber scombrus) and sprat (Sprattus sprattus) (Figure 
4-7). Furthermore, Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus), whiting (Merlagius merlangius) and 
horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) (Ramboll, 2019). 
4.4.1.4 
SHELLFISH 
The main shellfish species of commercial and / or ecological importance known to be present in 
the region containing the subsea cable include northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis), Norway 
lobster (Nephrops norvegicus), blue mussel (Mytilus edulis), brown crab (Cancer pagurus) and 
brown shrimp (Crangon crangon) (Ramboll, 2019; Ramboll, 2021). 
4.4.1.5 
MIGRATORY FISH 
The landing site of the subsea cable is close to (but does not overlap with) the Natura 2000 
site no. DK00CY163 (Habitats Directive Site - Ringkøbing Fjord og Nymindestrømmen also 
called SAC62). In addition to the terrestrial and non-fish designated features, this site is also 
designated for the protection of migratory fish species which may encounter the subsea cable 
on their migratory routes. These species are Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), allis shad (Alosa 
alosa), twaite shad (Alosa fallax), sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) and river lamprey 
(Lampetra fluviatilis) (Ramboll, 2019). 
4.4.1.6 
SPAWNING GROUNDS WHICH OVERLAP WITH THE SUBSEA CABLE ROUTE 
The subsea cable route overlaps with the spawning grounds of G. morhua, M. kitt, S. 
scombrus Ammodytes spp., S. vulgaris and S. sprattus as shown in Figure 4-7.  Further 
information on these species spawning, migration and habitat preference is presented in Table 
4-7.

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FIGURE 4-7 FISH SPAWNING GROUNDS WHICH OVERLAP WITH THE SUBSEA CABLE ROUTE 
 

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TABLE 4-7 ECOLOGY INFORMATION FOR THE FISH SPECIES WITH SPAWNING GROUNDS WHICH OVERLAP WITH THE SUBSEA CABLE 
ROUTE 
Common 
Name 
Latin Name 
Seasonality 
Habitat 
Association 
Migration 
Predator-Prey 
Relationships 
Hearing 
Group 
Atlantic cod 
Gadhus morhua 
Spawning occurs in winter 
and beginning of spring. 
Eggs and larvae are 
pelagic for up to 2.5 
months prior to settling 
on the seabed. 
Juveniles prefer 
shallower waters 
(10-30 m) with 
complex habitats 
than adults (up to 
600 m). 
Migrate between spawning, 
feeding and overwintering 
areas, journeys of <200 km. 
Omnivorous, 
feeding on mostly 
fish and 
invertebrates. 
Fish with a 
swim bladder 
involved in 
hearing. 
Lemon sole 
Microstomus 
kitt 
The timing of spawning is 
related to a temperature 
threshold. Spawning 
usually occurs between 
May and October with the 
peak being between May 
and August (Geffen et al., 
2021). 
Found on stony 
bottoms at depths 
between 20 and 
200 m. 
None reported. 
Feeds on 
invertebrates, 
primarily 
polychaetes. 
Fish with no 
swim bladder. 
Atlantic 
mackerel 
Scomber 
scombrus 
Spawning occurs during 
summer. This species is a 
pelagic spawner, and the 
larvae are also pelagic. 
Widely distributed 
on coastal shelves 
up to 200 m depth. 
Migrate in winter and early 
spring to spawning areas 
(inshore); spawn in summer; 
migration to post-spawning 
feeding grounds and 
overwinter areas. 
Filter-feeders on 
zooplankton, such 
as small fish and 
prawns. 
Data deficient. 
Sole 
Solea vulgaris 
Spawning occurs in shallow 
waters at temperature 
between 6 and 12 °C. 
Spawning generally occurs 
between February and May. 
Demersal spawner. 
Associated with 
sandy and muddy 
bottoms at depths 
down to 150 m. 
In the first two years, juveniles 
inhabit bays and nursery 
grounds prior to migrating to 
deeper waters in the winter. 
Adults prey upon 
worms, molluscs 
and small 
crustaceans. 
Fish with no 
swim bladder. 
European 
sprat 
Sprattus 
sprattus 
Spawn throughout the 
year, though primarily in 
spring and summer. This 
Occurs in the 
water column at 
depths of 
10-150 m. 
Shows strong migrations 
between winter feeding and 
summer spawning grounds. 
Feeds on planktonic 
crustaceans. 
Fish with a 
swim bladder 
involved in 
hearing. 

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Common 
Name 
Latin Name 
Seasonality 
Habitat 
Association 
Migration 
Predator-Prey 
Relationships 
Hearing 
Group 
species is a pelagic 
spawner. 
Diurnal migrations through the 
water column. 
Sandeel 
species 
Ammodytes 
spp. 
Spawning occurs over the 
winter, typically between 
November and February. 
Demersal spawner. 
Buried within the 
seabed at depths 
down to 150 m. 
Prefers sandy 
substrates. 
None reported. 
Feeds on 
zooplankton and 
some species prey 
upon small fish. 
Fish with no 
swim bladder. 

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4.4.2 EFFECTS ASSESSMENT 
 
Table 4-8 assesses the potential for significant effects on fish and shellfish ecology receptors 
and impact pathways, as a result of installation, operation and maintenance, and 
decommissioning of the proposed Aurora Project. 
TABLE 4-8 POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS ON FISH AND SHELLFISH ECOLOGY 
RECEPTOR GROUPS 
Effects 
Potential for Significant Effects 
Direct damage 
Elasmobranchs, Demersal fish, Pelagic fish, Shellfish and 
Migratory fish: Installation only - Species with demersal life 
stages, or who use the seabed as a spawning ground (e.g. 
thornback ray and Atlantic herring) may experience direct 
damage to eggs and larvae. Species that live in close 
association with the seabed through later life stages (e.g. 
sandeel and brown crab) may also suffer direct damage as a 
result of limited mobility. However, due to the small scale of the 
Aurora Project and the short timeframe of the installation 
phase, No Significant Effect on the fish and shellfish ecology 
receptor groups is expected. 
Habitat disturbance 
Elasmobranchs, Demersal fish, Pelagic fish, Shellfish and 
Migratory fish: 
Permanent habitat loss has the potential to occur during the 
installation phase of the Aurora Project where seabed 
infrastructure such as crossing protection is installed. No 
seabed protection is planned within the Danish TS and given the 
small scale of the Aurora Project No Significant Effect on the 
fish and shellfish ecology receptor groups is expected.  
Smothering due to suspended 
sediments 
Elasmobranchs, Demersal fish, Pelagic fish, Shellfish and 
Migratory fish: 
The placement of the subsea cable may cause suspended 
sediment plumes which could impact upon activities such as 
filter feeding, foraging and feeding, survival of eggs and larvae 
and movements and migrations. Furthermore, sessile shellfish 
species are more likely to be affected by this impact and 
subsequent smothering as they are unable to avoid it. With the 
exception of sandeel, which tend to spawn in winter months, all 
fish species with overlapping spawning grounds are pelagic 
spawners and therefore their eggs are unlikely to be impacted 
by smothering. Furthermore, the burial method using a subsea 
cable plough and the small scale of the Aurora Project will 
minimise smothering impacts, and so No Significant Effect on 
the fish and shellfish ecology receptor groups is expected. 
Underwater noise 
Elasmobranchs, Demersal fish, Pelagic fish, Shellfish and 
Migratory fish: 
Noise from the installation phase originates from the laying of 
the subsea cable which has the potential to cause disturbance 
and avoidance behaviour in sensitive fish species within the 
vicinity.   
Fish with a swim bladder used in hearing will be used as a 
realistic worst-case scenario when assessing the impacts. This 
is due to these species being more sensitive to the potential 
effects of noise and vibration than the other receptor groups.  
The potential effects of noise and vibration on fish species 
include physical damage, hearing damage, masking effects and 
death. Furthermore, shellfish species are more susceptible to 

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Potential for Significant Effects 
the impacts of underwater noise due to their limited or lack of 
mobility. However, underwater noise and vibration will arise 
primarily from installation vessel engine and propulsion, as well 
as movement of the sea plough as it buries the subsea cable 
and there is not predicted to be any impulsive or high energy 
sound emitted during this activity.  The installation vessel will 
also be moving constantly at a slow speed, whereby mobile 
marine fauna will be able to move away from any disturbance. 
Based on the above and given the short timeframe of the 
installation phase, No Significant Effect on the fish and 
shellfish ecology receptor groups is expected. 
4.4.3 SCREENING OUTCOMES 
The potential impacts associated with the installation, operation and maintenance, and 
decommissioning phases of this subsea cable were determined to be direct damage, habitat 
disturbance, smothering due to suspended sediments and underwater noise.  
Based on the above, No Significant Effects are expected from any of the potential impacts 
on any of the fish and shellfish ecology receptor groups. 
4.5 
TERRESTRIAL AND INTERTIDAL ECOLOGY 
This section describes the terrestrial and intertidal ecology baseline in the Danish onshore 
environment and assesses the potential for significant effects of the Aurora Project on 
terrestrial and intertidal ecology receptors. Impacts of the Aurora Project on terrestrial and 
intertidal ecology may include: 
• 
Vessel or machine related displacement; 
• 
Temporary loss of habitat and foraging opportunities; and 
• 
Sediment plumes. 
4.5.1 BASELINE 
4.5.1.1 
TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY 
The subsea cable route will make landfall at Blaabjerg, Denmark, utilising an existing HDD duct 
and existing BMH thereby avoiding any construction work on or within the dunes and 
minimising potential impacts from installation activities on the Ringkøbing Fjord og 
Nymindestrømmen Special Area of Conservation (SAC) (Figure 4-6).The Ringkøbing Fjord og 
Nymindestrømmen SAC contains 20 coastal / marine habitats and six (6) marine species 
features.  
The only native Danish otter species is the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), which is protected as a 
European Protected Species (EPS) under the Habitats Directive. Otters are a qualifying feature 
of the Ringkøbing Fjord og Nymindestrømmen SAC with a population estimation of 600 to 800, 
their numbers having dropped due to habitat degradation (Elemros et al., 2006). Freshwater 
habitats are the primary home for otters, with the area covering, on average, between 20 km2 
to 32 km2. Saltwater habitats may also provide an increased prey availability (see Kruuk, 
2006; Parry et al., 2011). Coastal dwelling otters must be close to a fresh water source to 
enable them to rid their fur of salt (Dean and Chanin, 1999). Otter intertidal foraging activities 
have been observed in shallow waters within 100 m offshore (Kruuk and Moorhouse, 1991). 

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4.5.1.2 
INTERTIDAL ORNITHOLOGY 
The subsea cable will connect to the land next the dune systems bordering the Ringkøbing 
Fjord Special Protection Area (SPA) (Section 4.17.2) which is home for 37 species of birds 
including migratory, breeding and wintering birds. The intertidal areas including the evolving 
dune systems are used for foraging and nesting of several wader and tern species.  
The species of terns within the SPA include: i) common tern Sterna hirundo, ii) Arctic tern 
(Sterna paradisaea) and iii) sandwich tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis). These species are 
protected under Annex I of the Bird Directive. Although, the little tern (Sternula albifrons) is 
not a featured species on the SPA, individuals have been observed foraging and potentially 
nesting in the area (Madsen et al., 2006).  
Terns migrate to the Danish coast to breed between March to September and forage chiefly for 
fish within coastal shallow waters (Wernham et al., 2002). The breeding season foraging range 
of terns are: i) Arctic Tern 25.7 km ± 14.8 km, ii) sandwich Tern 34.3 km ± 23.2 km, iii) little 
tern 5 km and iv) common Tern 18.0 km ± 8.9 km (Woodward et al., 2019), covering also the 
lagoon of the SPA. The main prey consumed are sand eels, herring and sprat. Occasionally 
small prey such as crustaceans, or any prey on the surface (e.g. insects), will be taken by 
surface dipping (Essink, 1999). As such, localised changes in prey availability may have 
considerable effects on the tern populations. Further to this, terns require clear water for 
optimal foraging (Essink, 1999).  
The intertidal zone and rolling dunes act as a barrier to the Ringkøbing Fjord SPA which is 
home to several wader species including dunlin (Calidris alpina), bar-tailed godwit (Limosa 
lapponica), ruff (Philomachus pugnax) and avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta). There birds will 
use the intertidal area as well as the dune system for foraging and breeding (Borgmann, 
2011). Wader species forage efficiently by feeding in the best areas and selecting the most 
profitable size-classes of prey (Cayford, 1993). Waders generally concentrate where prey 
density, prey availability and intake rates are relatively high and where energy expenditure is 
relatively low (Cayford, 1993). There may be large numbers of opportunistic waders using the 
intertidal zone at any one time. 
4.5.2 EFFECTS ASSESSMENT 
Table 4-9 assesses the potential for significant effects on terrestrial and intertidal ecology 
receptors and impact pathways, as a result of installation, operation and maintenance, and 
decommissioning of the proposed Aurora Project. 
TABLE 4-9 POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS ON TERRESTRIAL AND INTERTIDAL 
ECOLOGY 
Effects 
Potential for Significant Effects 
Vessel or 
machine 
related 
displacement 
Otter  
Otters are known to be tolerant to low level disturbance (Tüzün and Albayrak, 
2005). However, they are sensitive to disturbance from development especially if 
their resting places are disturbed (e.g. holts) (Dean and Chanin, 1999).  
Otters are naturally inquisitive, known to explore and investigate machinery. This 
can lead to accidents and sometimes death (Dean and Chanin, 1999). 
Mitigation measures including buffer zones, avoiding holts and surveys prior to 
installation activity can reduce the likelihood of a significant effect (Dean and 
Chanin, 1999). Given the potential presence of otters in this area, the potential 
for impact due to disturbance cannot be discounted, although the potential 

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impact is limited by the use of existing onshore infrastructure (i.e. the HDD duct 
and BMH), the short duration of onshore installation activity and the small area 
of potential disturbance. 
 
Terns 
Tern species are considered to be of low sensitivity to disturbance at-sea and 
during foraging, and are moderately flexible in terms of habitat use (Furness et 
al., 2013; Garthe and Hüppop, 2004).   
However, during nesting and chick-rearing, terns are sensitive to disturbance at 
breeding sites. Adults will likely leave their nest if disturbed (Goodship and 
Furness, 2022). There is a risk that nests could be crushed, chicks killed or 
abandoned if machinery or people cut through nesting grounds. However, if 
works take place outside of nesting areas or outside of the breeding season, 
then the impact-receptor pathway is removed and no impact would be expected. 
While there are no confirmed nests for little tern in the vicinity of the site, they 
have been ringed in the area, indicating their presence and potential nesting 
interest (Madsen et al., 2006). However, sandwich terns are a designated feature 
of the Ringkøbing Fjord SPA with known nests in the vicinity of the Study Area.  
Disturbance may lead to abandonment of nests and death of chicks. Therefore, 
without the application of mitigation measures, there is the potential for 
impacts to terns which may be nesting in the area of the onshore subsea 
cable route between the HDD duct entry point (landward) towards the BMH 
(approximately 29 m), due to machine related displacement.  Mitigation 
measures may include pre-activity surveys to check for the presence of nesting 
terns, avoidance of the breeding season and clearly demarcating activity areas to 
avoid any overlap with potential nesting areas. 
 
Waders 
As bar-tailed godwit is listed as an Annex I species it will be used as the baseline 
for potential worst-case impacts. Bar-tailed godwit is tolerant of human foot-
traffic disturbance and typically does not display flushing behaviour until as low 
as 40 m (Versluijs, 2011). However, this species is relatively sensitive to vessel- 
and machine-related disturbance compared to other wader species, flushing at 
distances up to 300 m (Goodship and Furness, 2022). They prefer quieter areas 
to forage and roost so may actively vacate areas within the vicinity of works 
likely due to a stress response (Davidson and Rothwell, 1993; Kirby et al., 
1993). 
Due to the short duration of the works and the large foraging area available 
around the Ringkøbing Fjord SPA these responses would be short term and 
recoverable once installation works have ceased. Therefore, there will be No 
Significant Effect on any waders within the vicinity. 
Temporary 
loss of habitat 
and foraging 
opportunities 
Otter 
Otters are known to occupy freshwater habitats necessary for their survival e.g. 
food availability, resting places, access to coastal waters (Dean and Chanin, 
1999). They are tolerant to low levels of disturbance (Tüzün and Albayrak, 
2005). Otter have been observed foraging in shallow waters within 100 m of 
shore (Kruuk and Moorhouse, 1991). The use of existing onshore infrastructure 
for installation of the subsea cable will minimise the potential impacts to coastal 
habitats and foraging areas; however trenching and burial of the short (29 m) 
onshore subsea cable segment between the existing HDD duct entry point 
(landward) and the existing BMH has the potential to cause limited habitat 
fragmentation, loss of holts and loss of feeding opportunities (Dean and Chanin, 
1999). 
Otter surveys and mitigation steps including buffer zones, avoiding holts and 
pre-installation surveys can reduce the likelihood of a significant effect (Dean 
and Chanin, 1999). Given the potential presence of otters in this area, the 
potential for impact due to temporary loss of habitat and foraging opportunities 
cannot be discounted, although the potential impact is limited by the use of 
existing onshore infrastructure and the small area of potential disturbance. 
 
Tern 

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When breeding, sandwich tern require extensive, sheltered, shallow waters that 
provide access to clear water, rich in surface-level fish and usually fairly shallow 
with a sandy substrate within foraging range of suitable nesting habitat (Snow 
and Perrins, 1998). 
Common tern species are considered to be moderately flexible in term of habitat 
use (Furness et al., 2013; Garthe and Hüppop, 2004). Little tern species have a 
foraging range of 5 km, (Woodward et al., 2019) if the planned works are in the 
range of this it could reduce little terns’ foraging availability. The impact of direct 
loss of habitat and foraging opportunities will be impacted differently for each 
tern species. 
Therefore, without the application of mitigation measures, there is the potential 
for impacts due to temporary loss of habitat and foraging opportunities 
for terns within the vicinity of works. The potential for impact is mitigated by the 
use of an existing HDD duct, which means there will be no loss of habitat in the 
shallow nearshore waters. Any potential impacts to seabed habitats beyond the 
HDD duct exit point (seaward) offshore will also be limited to temporary 
disturbance over a small area during subsea cable burial. 
 
Waders 
Wader species are often non present around estuaries in the summer but present 
throughout the rest of the year (Collop, 2016). The subsea cable will be installed 
through the intertidal area and into the dune system, although existing 
infrastructure will be used for all elements other than a short connecting section 
between the existing HDD and BMH. As bar-tailed godwit is listed an Annex I 
species it will be used as the baseline for potential worst-case impacts. Bar-
tailed godwit is tolerant of disturbance; however, if disturbed, they are likely to 
vacate an area and forage/roost in quieter areas (Collop, 2016). Bar-tailed 
godwits have been observed spending 10% less time foraging due to stress 
response from disturbance (Furness, 1973). 
Due to the short duration of the works and the large foraging area available 
around the Ringkøbing Fjord SPA these responses would be short term and 
recoverable once installation have ceased. Therefore, there will be No 
Significant Effect on any waders within the vicinity. 
Sediment 
plumes 
Terns 
Terns are plunge diving species that forage on fish in the upper 1 m of the water 
column (RPS, 2011). Terns prey on small and young pelagic fish as well as on 
benthic organisms by taking shallow dives where the seabed is within diving 
range, requiring relatively clear water to locate prey (Essink, 1999). As a result, 
tern species are considered vulnerable to changes in turbidity and changes in 
prey availability (Cook and Burton, 2010). 
However, due to the use of the existing HDD duct through the coastal zone, the 
short duration of the works and the large foraging area available around the 
Ringkøbing Fjord SPA these responses would be short term and recoverable once 
installation has ceased. Therefore, there will be No Significant Effect on any 
terns within the vicinity. 
 
4.5.3 SCREENING OUTCOMES 
The impacts associated with the installation, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning 
phases of this subsea cable were determined to be vessel or machine related displacement, 
temporary loss of habitat and foraging opportunities, and sediment plumes. The impacts are 
localised to the Study Area, with a small area for the subsea cable installation and a short 
period of installation works. The outcomes of this assessment are as follows:  
• 
It cannot be determined that there will be No Significant Effect to otter for machine 
related disturbance and temporary loss of habitat and foraging opportunities; however 
potential impacts are limited due to the use of existing infrastructure and small area of 

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disturbance, as well as the short period of installation activity. Additional mitigation 
measures should include pre-installation survey for presence of otter holts and clear 
demarcation of work areas and control of vehicle movements.  
• 
For tern, it cannot be determined that there will be No Significant Effect for vessel 
or machine related disturbance and temporary loss of habitat and foraging opportunities; 
however it was determined there was No Significant Effects for sediment plumes. 
Potential impacts to terns are limited due to the use of existing infrastructure and small 
area of disturbance, as well as the short period of installation activity. Should onshore 
installation take place during tern breeding season, additional mitigation measures should 
include pre-installation survey for presence of tern nests and clear demarcation of work 
areas and control of vehicle movements. 
• 
Waders determined No Significant Effects for vessel or machine related disturbance and 
temporary loss of habitat and foraging opportunities. 
4.6 
MARINE MAMMALS 
This section describes the marine mammal baseline in the Danish TS and assesses the 
potential for significant effects of the Aurora Project on marine mammal receptors. Impacts of 
the Aurora Project on marine mammals may include: 
• 
Noise and vibration; 
• 
Vessel collision and displacement; and 
• 
Temporary loss of habitat and foraging opportunities. 
4.6.1 BASELINE 
There are seven (7) commonly present cetacean species in the North Sea including harbour 
porpoise (Phocena phocena), common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), white-beaked 
dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris), common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), Risso’s dolphin 
(Grampus griseus), minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), and killer whale (Orcinus orca). 
Pinniped species known to be located around the Aurora Project’s Study Area include the grey 
seal (Halichoerus grypus) and harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) (Waggit et al., 2019). The SCANS 
IV survey results for the NS-I and NS-J survey blocks list harbour porpoise as having the 
highest abundance across marine mammal species, while common dolphin, minke whale and 
white-beaked dolphin were recorded infrequently within the vicinity of the Study Area (Gillies 
et al., 2023).  
Harbour porpoise are generalist feeders, with a wide variety of prey including Atlantic cod, 
whiting, sprat, Atlantic herring, sandeel species, and Gobidae (Booth, 2020). Harbour porpoise 
tend to forage on the top one (1) or two (2) most abundant fish species in the local area (NRW, 
2016). Harbour porpoise are a transient species with an estimated population of 346,000 
within the North Sea Management Unit (NS MU) (IAMMWG, 2023). The Scans IV NS-I and NS-J 
have an estimated abundance of between 30,000 and 34,000 (Gillies et al., 2023). Within the 
NS MU there are 52 designated sites (SACs) with harbour porpoise as a qualifying feature. 
White beaked dolphin are commonly found over the continental shelf in waters less than 200 m 
deep (Reid et al., 2003). They are encountered all year, most commonly seen in Skagerrak 
(Galatius and Kinze, 2016). White-beaked dolphin feed on a variety of prey, such as cod, 
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and scaldfishes; cephalopods, and sometimes crustaceans (Kinze, 2009). White beaked 
dolphin in Danish TS are part of the Celtic and Greater North Sea Management Unit (CGNS 
MU), which has a population estimation of 43,951 individuals (Hammond et al., 2021, 
IAMMWG, 2023). The Scans IV NS-J have an estimated abundance of between 3,955 individual 
white-beaked dolphin (Gillies et al., 2023). Within the CGNS MU, there are no designated sites 
with white-beaked dolphin as a qualifying feature. 
Minke whale are found in open waters in the north-western part of the Danish North Sea along 
the Norwegian Trench as well as the central Danish North Sea (Edevlang et al., 2017). Most 
sightings occur between July and August, although the species may be present anytime 
between May and October (Northridge et al., 1995). Their diet mainly comprises teleost fish, 
such as atlantic herring, atlantic cod, capelin, sandeel, haddock, whiting and saithe, as well as 
plankton and pelagic crustaceans such as krill (Sea Watch Foundation, 2012). There is no MU 
assigned to minke whales, so abundance estimates are based on the CGNS MU, including 
20,118 individuals (Hammond et al., 2022). However, the SCANS IV survey for the NS-J area 
recorded minke whale estimating an abundance of 638 individuals (Gillies et al., 2023, 
IAMMWG, 2023). Within the NS MU, there are no designated areas with minke whale as a 
qualifying feature. 
Grey seal are widely distributed throughout the North Atlantic, hauling-out on land and 
coastlines exposed to the open sea (Carter et al., 2022). Grey seal feed on a wide variety of 
fish, comprised primarily of benthic and demersal species including sandeel, cod, herring, and 
flatfish, however, their diet composition is dependent on prey availability (Hammond and 
Wilson, 2016). In 2023, a total of 10,544 grey seals were counted in the Wadden Sea survey 
(Denmark, Germany, Netherlands and Belgium) with a total of 145 individuals counted in 
Denmark (Common Wadden Sea Secretariat [CWSS], 2023). There is no site-specific data for 
the Study Area. 
Harbour seal are primarily found in coastal waters off the continental shelf. Haul-out sites 
include a variety of beaches, rocky cliff bases, and manmade structures (Carter et al., 2022). 
They can spend several days at a time out at sea, alone or in small groups. They are generalist 
feeders on a wide variety of prey including cod, herring, flatfish, gobies and sandeel (Hall et 
al., 1998). In 2023, a total of 22,621 harbour seals were counted in the Wadden sea survey 
(Denmark, Germany, Netherlands and Belgium) with a total of 5,639 individuals counted in 
Denmark (CWSS, 2023). As for grey seal, there is no site-specific data for the Study Area. 
There are no protected sites with a cetacean as a designated feature within the proximity of 
the Study Area. There are no harbour seal or grey seal colonies located within the vicinity of 
the subsea cable route. The densities of the seal species are relatively low along the planned 
route. 
4.6.2 EFFECTS ASSESSMENT 
Table 4-10 assesses the potential for significant effects on marine mammal receptors and 
impact pathways, as a result of installation, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning 
of the proposed Aurora Project. 
 

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TABLE 4-10 
POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS ON MARINE MAMMALS 
Effects 
Potential for Significant Effects 
Noise and vibration 
Underwater noise produced by installation activities has the 
potential to disturb marine mammal species. However, noise 
generating activities will be limited to installation vessel 
movement and subsea cable burial equipment only, resulting in 
a short-term and localised increase in background noise levels.  
Vessel noise is related to vessel size, speed, load, condition, 
age and engine, and can range from <150 dB re. 1 μPa to >190 
dB re. 1 μPa (Hawkins et al., 2014). Underwater noise can lead 
to varied direct impacts on marine mammals, including 
mortality, auditory injury, masking of communication signals 
and displacement (Todd et al., 2015). Vessel noise will be 
mitigated by the slow speed of installation activity. 
Marine mammals are highly mobile; they are able to move away 
from an impacted area and return once installation works have 
ceased, demonstrating that they are recoverable and adaptable 
to short-term disruption.   
Therefore, there will be No Significant Effect on any 
cetaceans or pinnipeds within the vicinity. 
Vessel collision and 
displacement 
There is potential for pinnipeds and cetaceans to collide with 
vessels deployed for subsea cable works, potentially causing 
stress, injury, or mortality. However, seals are inquisitive and 
adaptable, often approaching vessels and avoiding collisions by 
moving away while harbour porpoise tend to swim away from 
vessels. There is a significant reduction in seal collisions at 
vessel speeds under 4 knots and harbour porpoise at speeds 
below 14 knots (Laist et al., 2001). The average ploughing 
installation speed would be 0.3 knots, therefore it is highly 
unlikely that these activities will result in collision with, or 
displacement of individual animals or wider populations of 
pinnipeds and cetaceans in the area.  
Therefore, it is predicted that there will be No Significant 
Effect on cetaceans or pinnipeds within the vicinity. 
Temporary loss of habitat and 
foraging opportunities 
The process of installing the subsea cable will involve opening 
the seabed and closing it over the subsea cable once it has 
been inserted, or else laying the subsea cable on the seabed 
where burial is not feasible or in deep waters (> approx. 1,000 
m depth). Seabed disturbance from subsea cable installation 
will therefore be limited in extent but may overlap with feeding 
grounds and spawning sites for prey of marine mammals.  
Harbour porpoise tend to forage on the top one (1) or two (2) 
abundant species in a local area (NRW, 2016). Grey and 
harbour seal are generalist feeders with a wide varied diet. 
Based on the above, it is likely that subsea cable installation, 
operation and maintenance, and decommissioning activities will 
result in no significant impacts on prey abundance (see Section 
4.6.2). Therefore, there will be No Significant Effect on any 
cetaceans or pinnipeds within the vicinity. 
 
4.6.3 SCREENING OUTCOMES 
The potential impacts associated with the installation, operation and maintenance, and 
decommissioning phases of this subsea cable were determined to be noise and vibration, 
vessel collision and displacement, and temporary loss of habitat and foraging opportunities. 
The impacts are localised to the small installation area and limited in duration to the short 

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installation period. The installation vessel will move at a slow, consistent speed and marine 
mammal species are adaptable.  
Based on the above, No Significant Effects are expected from any of the impacts on any of 
the marine mammal receptor groups. 
4.7 
OFFSHORE ORNITHOLOGY 
This section describes the offshore ornithology baseline in the Danish TS and assesses the 
potential for significant effects of the Aurora Project on offshore ornithology receptors. Impacts 
of the Aurora Project on offshore ornithology may include: 
• 
Habitat removal or alteration leading to secondary loss of foraging; 
• 
Vessel related disturbance; 
• 
Noise and vibration; and 
• 
Sediment plumes. 
4.7.1 BASELINE 
Seabirds use the coast of the greater North Sea, the summer season is used for breeding by at 
least 19 species including, in particular, large numbers of black-legged kittiwake (Rissa 
tridactyla) (an OSPAR protected species), herring gull (Larus argentatus), lesser black-backed 
gull (Larus fuscus), common guillemot (Uria aalge), and northern gannet (Morus bassanus) 
(Edevlang et al., 2017). Many of these species nest in dense coastal colonies, relying on local 
feeding conditions within close ranges of their nesting sites. Others travel several hundred 
kilometres during foraging trips (Edevlang et al., 2017). 
Outside the breeding season, some species remain near their breeding grounds, while others 
migrate across the North Sea or travel further. The North Sea serves as a staging and 
wintering area for breeding colonies, migratory birds, and overwintering populations. Feeding 
habits vary by species: auks and cormorants dive from the surface, gannets and terns use 
plunge diving, gulls, kittiwakes and fulmars feed mostly on the surface, and skuas are 
kleptoparasites (Dunnet et al., 1990). 
The subsea cable will enter the Danish inshore waters and utilise an existing HDD duct to land 
at a point within close proximity of (but not overlapping) the Ringkøbing Fjord SPA (Figure 
4-6). This site is designated for waders, birds of prey, wildfowl, and seabirds such as terns. 
The Ringkøbing Fjord SPA hosts some notable Annex I listed birds including terns, geese, 
European shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis), swans, harriers and waders (Meltofte and Clausen, 
2016). Impacts to inshore birds are discussed further previously in Section 4.5. Other inshore 
wintering species includes common scoter (Melanitta nigra) and red-throated diver (Gavia 
stellata). The area is also of high importance for velvet scoter (Melanitta fusca), little gull 
(Hydrocoloeus minutus), and sandwich tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis). 
The available food resources, including invertebrates from mudflats and beaches, plankton, 
small schooling fish and discards or detritus, influence seabird responses to environmental 
changes and human activities. Some species such as gulls and fulmars, benefit directly from 
human fishing activities by feeding on discards or offal. However, in recent years, local 
breeding success for some species has been low, linked to shortages of foraged fish (Edevlang 
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4.7.2 EFFECTS ASSESSMENT 
Table 4-11 assesses the potential for significant effects on offshore ornithology receptors and 
impact pathways, as a result of installation, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning 
of the proposed Aurora Project. 
TABLE 4-11 
POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS ON OFFSHORE ORNITHOLOGY 
Effects 
Potential for Significant Effects 
Habitat 
Removal or 
Alteration 
leading to 
secondary loss 
of foraging 
Removal of seabed sediment may have an impact upon the prey species of 
northern gannet, northern fulmar Fulmarus glacialis, gull species, black-legged 
kittiwake, and common guillemot. Black-legged kittiwake and common guillemot in 
particular are sensitive to impacts on prey species, as they have a more 
constrained diet. If the habitat is altered to an extent that it can no longer support 
prey species, individuals may be required to find alternative foraging habitats 
which can have direct implications on energy expenditure and competition.  
Common scoter are listed as critically endangered and are sensitive to loss of prey 
species due to a lack of flexibility in habitat use. 
However, most seabird species have an extensive foraging range (Woodward et 
al., 2019), therefore there is a wide range of habitat available to the species 
outside of the subsea cable route. Installation of the subsea cable is also predicted 
to have No Significant Effect on fish and shellfish ecology (see Section 4.4). It 
is expected that seabirds will be highly tolerant and adaptable to habitat loss and 
alteration due to their ability to target a variety of prey items and use alternative 
foraging habitats (Cook and Burton, 2010). 
Therefore, the impact of habitat loss (removal or alteration, including impacts to 
prey species) is predicted to have No Significant Effect on offshore ornithology 
receptors. 
Vessel Related 
Disturbance 
Vessel presence can displace sensitive bird species from their usual foraging 
grounds, resulting in a reduction in foraging success and increase in energy 
expenditure to access alternative foraging areas. Some species such as terns are 
insensitive to vessels at sea, however, others, such as divers and scoters are 
highly sensitive to vessel related disturbance (Burger et al., 2019; Cook and 
Burton, 2010; Garthe and Hüppop, 2004). Other seabirds are considered to have a 
high tolerance and adaptability to vessel disturbance as they are highly flexible in 
habitat use and have an extensive foraging range (Woodward et al., 2019).  
Considering the short installation period, it is unlikely there will be a long-term 
impact on any species within the proximity of the installation works. 
Therefore, there will be No Significant Effect on any seabirds within the vicinity. 
Noise and 
Vibration 
Seabirds often dive for their prey into the sea which can expose them to 
underwater noise and vibration. There is not extensive research on the impact of 
underwater noise on diving seabirds’ activity.  
Seabird responses to approaching vessels are highly variable, e.g. red-throated 
divers and common scoter are highly sensitive to vessel activity (Garthe and 
Hüppop, 2004; Burger et al., 2019; Fliessbach et al., 2019). Vessels would be 
expected to displace most diving seabirds by flushing them out of the area, 
causing displacement, thereby limiting their exposure to the highest sound 
pressures generated by the installation works. 
Similarly, behavioural disturbance of seabirds due to acoustic activities is most 
likely to cause temporary displacement associated with the physical presence of 
the vessel, comparable to that experienced by routine shipping traffic (Hartley 
Anderson Limited, 2020). Thus, the noise of the installation of the subsea cable is 
unlikely to impact diving birds. 
Therefore, there will be No Significant Effect on any seabirds within the 
vicinity. 
Sediment 
Plumes  
The subsea cable will be installed utilising the existing HDD duct, approximately 
150 m offshore (Figure 3-10). Burial of the subsea cable in the offshore 
environment could potentially cause sediment plumes causing an impact for 
foraging or diving birds. Increases in turbidity can affect their ability to detect 

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Effects 
Potential for Significant Effects 
prey items, particularly for tern species (Cook and Burton, 2010), and can alter 
the distribution of prey items and supporting benthic habitats.  
Red-throated diver are sensitive to loss of prey resources, as they depend upon 
small fish such as Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) (Guse et al., 2009). Other 
seabird species, with exception of kittiwakes and guillemots (as previously 
discussed), are considered to have a high tolerance and adaptability to loss of 
prey resources as they can target a variety of prey items and have an extensive 
foraging range (Woodward et al., 2019).  
Sediment plumes will be limited to close proximity of the subsea cable burial 
activity and will be of short duration and are therefore expected to have No 
Significant Effect on benthic ecology and fish and shellfish ecology (see 
Sections 4.3 and 4.4). Due to the small scale of the Aurora Project and the short 
timeframe of the installation, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning 
activities, No Significant Effect on the offshore ornithology receptor groups is 
expected. 
4.7.3 SCREENING OUTCOMES 
The potential impacts associated with the installation of this subsea cable were determined to 
be habitat removal or alteration leading to secondary loss of foraging, vessel related 
disturbance, noise and vibration, and inshore disturbance. The impacts are localised to the 
installation route, with a small area for the subsea cable burial and a short period of 
installation, and seabird species are adaptable.  
Based on the above, No Significant Effects are expected from any of the impacts on any of 
the offshore ornithology receptor groups. 
4.8 
AVIATION AND RADAR 
This section describes the aviation and radar baseline in the Danish TS and assesses the 
potential for significant effects of the Aurora Project on aviation and radar receptors. 
Impacts to aviation and radar receptors (such as physical obstruction to military aircrafts or 
interference with aviation radar systems) for offshore developments are primarily confined to 
developments that have marine infrastructure above the surface of the water, such as an 
offshore windfarm. As the Aurora Project is a subsea cable, there is no pathway for impact on 
radars or military aircraft so these receptors are not considered further.  
4.8.1 BASELINE 
For the Aurora Project, a single military firing range has been identified to the south of the 
Aurora Project Study Area which may impact offshore vessel movements. 
No military exercise areas and danger areas (PEXA) that overlap with the Study Area have 
been identified; this has been considered further in Section 4.15 (Other Users). Navigation of 
offshore vessels associated with the Aurora Project and other rights may be restricted in 
military practice areas. Areas along the Danish coast are regularly used for firing exercises, so 
it is recommended to inform and coordinate with the Danish Ministry of Defence prior to 
installation activities in order to clarify any issues. 

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4.8.2 SCREENING OUTCOMES 
The Aurora Project has no above sea infrastructure in the offshore environment and no military 
PEXAs overlap the Study Area so there will be no potential for significant effects to 
aviation and radar. 
The Aurora Project installation vessel operating in the Danish TS within an already active 
shipping area will not impact on the normal activity of the nearby firing exercises therefore 
there is no potential for significant effects on the single firing range identified.  
4.9 
NOISE AND VIBRATION 
This section describes the noise and vibration baseline in the Danish onshore environment and 
offshore environment (Danish TS) within the Aurora Project’s Study Area, and assesses the 
potential for significant effects of the Aurora Project on noise and vibration receptors. Impacts 
of the Aurora Project from noise and vibration may include: 
• 
Disturbance to offshore receptors from airborne noise and vibration; 
• 
Disturbance to offshore receptors from underwater noise and vibration; and 
• 
Disturbance to onshore receptors from airborne noise and ground-borne vibration. 
OFFSHORE ENVIRONMENT 
4.9.1 BASELINE  
Existing levels of offshore airborne and underwater noise and vibration are likely to be 
generated by both anthropogenic activities and natural sources. Natural sources of airborne 
noise include wind, wave action and precipitation. Key anthropogenic sources of airborne and 
underwater noise include vessel activity such as shipping, fishing, dredging, offshore 
construction / installation activities and tourist crafts. The Aurora Project is situated within a 
heavily active offshore area, with it being likely that other offshore activities and infrastructure 
vessels will be present in the wider area; further details can be found in Section 4.11 
(Commercial Fisheries), Section 4.12 (Shipping and Navigation) and Section 4.15 (Other 
Users). Protected marine mammals, including both pinnipeds and cetaceans, are known to be 
found in the offshore Study Area of the Aurora Project and could potentially be sensitive to the 
underwater noise and vibration produced by the Aurora Project, see Section 4.6 (Marine 
Mammals).  
4.9.2 EFFECTS ASSESSMENT 
Table 4-12 assesses the potential for significant effects on offshore noise and vibration 
receptors and impact pathways, as a result of installation, operation and maintenance, and 
decommissioning of the proposed Aurora Project. 
TABLE 4-12 
POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS ON NOISE AND VIBRATION IN 
OFFSHORE ENVIRONMENT 
Effect 
Potential for Significant Effects 
Disturbance due to airborne 
noise and vibration 
Installation, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning 
activities associated with vessel movements from the Aurora 
Project for subsea cable installation may impact other seabed 
users in the area through increased levels of airborne noise 
and vibration. 

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Effect 
Potential for Significant Effects 
Vessels are transient in nature and Aurora Project activities will 
be temporary, therefore any interaction associated with the 
installation, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning 
phases of the Aurora Project would only be in the short term. 
Commercial fishing and shipping vessels produce noise and 
vibration from routine operations. The noise generated by 
Aurora Project activities will be of a similar level to other 
vessel use in the area including fishing and shipping activity, 
therefore, no increase in the level of noise and vibration 
beyond baseline levels in the area is anticipated. As impacts 
will be temporary and noise levels will not exceed existing 
baseline activities, No Significant Effects of airborne noise 
from the Aurora Project activities on these receptors is 
expected. 
Disturbance due to underwater 
noise and vibration  
Marine mammals are sensitive to underwater noise in specific 
frequency ranges. Aurora Project activities may have impacts 
on marine mammals with respect to noise, however, the 
installation of the subsea cable will not generate significant 
vibration as no piling will take place and burial of the subsea 
cable using a plough will produce only low level non-impulsive 
vibrations over a small area, which is continuously moving as 
installation progresses. Therefore, there is no pathway for 
effect from vibration on marine mammals. 
With respect to noise, marine mammals may be affected by 
underwater noise caused by installation activities. The 
potential effects of the Aurora Project on marine mammals are 
considered further in Section 4.6 (Marine Mammals), which 
concludes No Significant Effects on cetaceans or pinnipeds 
from noise and vibration impacts of the Aurora Project. 
Additionally, the potential effects of the Aurora Project on fish 
and shellfish ecology are considered in Section 4.4 (Fish and 
Shellfish Ecology), which concludes No Significant Effects on 
these receptors from noise and vibration impacts of the Aurora 
Project. 
Underwater noise from the installation vessel is short term and 
will not significantly increase the levels of noise and vibration 
beyond the existing baseline in the active commercial fishing 
and shipping area. Therefore, the Aurora Project is expected to 
have No Significant Effects of disturbance due to underwater 
noise and vibration. 
4.9.3 SCREENING OUTCOMES 
The Aurora Project has the potential to introduce additional noise in the offshore environment, 
potentially impacting on other users of the marine environment. However, Aurora Project 
activities will be temporary and short term and will not significantly increase the existing noise 
baseline, therefore, no potential significant effects on these receptors are anticipated. There is 
also potential for underwater noise and vibration to impact marine mammal species in the 
vicinity of the Aurora Project. However, the Aurora Project will not generate significant 
vibration as no piling will take place, therefore, there will be no impacts of vibration on 
receptors. Additionally, due to marine mammal habitat ranges, they have the ability to move 
away from any noise associated with the Aurora Project. Any underwater noise will also be 
temporary, so any impacts on marine mammals are considered to be not significant and in the 
short term only.  
Therefore, No Significant Effects are expected from impacts of the Aurora Project on the 
noise and vibration receptors. 

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ONSHORE ENVIRONMENT 
4.9.4 BASELINE  
As mentioned in Section 3.2.1, the landing site is a recreational, undeveloped green area on a 
land strip forming a barrier between the North Sea and Ringkøbing Fjord. A solitary beach 
house has been identified around 30 m north of the BMH and 200 m north of the BMH there is 
a small residential area. The area may also be used for horseback riding as there is a horse-
riding centre around 300 m east of the landfall site.  
Due to the minimal anthropogenic activity and infrastructure in the area, existing noise and 
vibration will be low, at a level similar to that of the atmospheric noise of the natural 
environment. As the location of the landing site is adjacent to the sea, natural sources of noise 
may include waves, wind and precipitation. The anthropogenic sources of noise include the 
residential area, recreational activities, pedestrian activities, and the nearby roads connecting 
the residential area to the main road.  
4.9.5 EFFECTS ASSESSMENT 
Table 4-13 assesses the potential for significant effects on onshore noise and vibration 
receptors and impact pathways, as a result of installation, operation and maintenance, and 
decommissioning of the proposed Aurora Project. 
TABLE 4-13 
POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS ON NOISE AND VIBRATION IN 
ONSHORE ENVIRONMENT 
Effects 
Potential for Significant Effects 
Disturbance to human 
associated receptors 
(residential / recreational 
areas) through airborne and 
ground-borne noise and 
vibration 
As the onshore scope of works does not involve piling or 
drilling, the Aurora Project will not result in any vibration, 
therefore there is no pathway for effect of vibration on human 
receptors.  
Noise impacts on human receptors may arise from the onshore 
Aurora Project works limited to the short distance (29m) of 
trenching between the existing HDD duct and BMH, burial of 
the subsea cable, and noise from any associated vehicles and 
equipment. 
Due to the short term and localised nature of the onshore 
activities, any noise generated will be temporary and 
concentrated to the area in the vicinity of the onshore works. 
Use of large mobile plant and heavy vehicles has the potential 
to give rise to local noise issues. However, activities involving 
mobile plant will be very short-term and will not be undertaken 
at night, limiting any potential for local disturbance. 
Due to the location of the landing site and the level of noise 
produced from the onshore works, No Significant Effects on 
local human receptors as a result of increased noise associated 
with the Aurora Project are expected. 
Disturbance to environmental 
receptors (protected / sensitive 
species) through airborne and 
ground-borne noise and 
vibration 
As the onshore scope of works does not involve piling or 
drilling, the Aurora Project will not result in any vibration, 
therefore there is no pathway for effect of vibration on 
environmental receptors. 
Noise impacts on protected and / or sensitive species may 
arise from the onshore Aurora Project works limited to the 
trenching between the existing HDD duct and BMH, burial of 
the subsea cable, and noise from any associated vehicles and 
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Effects 
Potential for Significant Effects 
Due to the short term and localised nature of the onshore 
activities, any noise generated will be temporary and 
concentrated to the area in the vicinity of the onshore works. 
Use of large mobile plant and heavy vehicles has the potential 
to give rise to localised disturbance. The increased level of 
noise has the potential to disturb and displace protected 
species; however the area of potential disturbance is small 
compared to the area of available habitat and displaced species 
are likely to find alternative suitable habitat within adjacent 
areas to relocate to. Any disturbance and displacement is 
expected to be temporary and short-term. 
Due to the small scale and temporary nature of the onshore 
works, No Significant Effects from airborne and ground-
borne noise impacts of the Aurora Project on protected species 
are expected. 
The potential effects of the onshore works associated with the 
Aurora Project on intertidal and terrestrial ecology, and the 
features of designated sites are considered in more detail in 
Section 4.5 (Terrestrial and Intertidal Ecology) and Section 
4.17 (Designated Sites for Nature Conservation: Natura 2000 
sites). 
4.9.6 SCREENING OUTCOMES 
Due to the use of existing infrastructure and the onshore scope of works only involving 
trenching, there will be no generation of vibration from the Aurora Project activities, therefore 
there is no pathway for effects of vibration on any receptors.  
Installation, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning works associated with the 
Aurora Project have the potential to result in onshore noise, resulting in short term and 
localised increases in noise, which may affect human and environmental receptors. Human 
receptors in the vicinity of the onshore works will only be exposed to additional noise 
concentrated to an area in the vicinity of the onshore work in the short term and therefore, 
impacts will be negligible. Environmental receptors such as protected species may be impacted 
by onshore noise associated with the onshore works. However, due to the existing baseline of 
noise from environmental sources (e.g. wind, waves etc.), as well as anthropogenic sources of 
noise in the area, the small scale and temporary nature of the onshore works will have 
negligible impacts on environmental receptors. Therefore, there are No Significant Effects of 
noise expected from the Aurora Project on noise and vibration onshore receptors. 
4.10 SEASCAPE, LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL AMENITY 
This section describes the seascape, landscape and visual amenity (SLVA) in the Danish 
onshore environment and offshore environment (Danish TS) within the Aurora Project’s Study 
Area, and provides an overview of the SLVA impact assessment screening and potential for 
significant effects of the Aurora Project. This SLVA impact assessment screening considers 
impacts on: 
• 
Seascape / landscape as a resource in its own right (caused by changes to its constituent 
elements, its specific aesthetic or perceptual qualities and / or its character); and 
• 
Views and visual amenity as experienced by people (caused by changes in the appearance 
of the seascape / landscape). 

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OFFSHORE ENVIRONMENT 
4.10.1 
BASELINE 
The offshore part of the Aurora Project’s Study Area considered within this report can generally 
be described as an open area of sea out to 12 nm (i.e. the Danish TS boundary), with a 
number of vessel movements operating in the area from nearby ports. The area is frequented 
by both commercial vessels and recreational vessels. Due to the nature of the Aurora Project 
and the installation of subsea cables below the surface, limited impacts to the seascape and 
associated visual amenity are expected. 
4.10.2 EFFECTS ASSESSMENT 
During the installation, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning of the subsea cable, 
the presence of the installation vessel will not be discernible against the existing baseline of 
vessel movement within the Study Area. Therefore, the presence of an additional vessel from 
the Aurora Project, in a busy commercial and recreational area, will have negligible impacts on 
the seascape and visual amenity of the area.  
Once installed, the entire Aurora Project will not be visible above the surface. Therefore, there 
is no pathway for effect on seascape and visual amenity once the subsea cable has been 
installed. 
4.10.3 SCREENING OUTCOMES  
Based on the subsea nature of the Aurora Project and the limited vessel requirements (one [1] 
primary installation vessel), impacts of the Aurora Project on seascape and visual amenity are 
negligible.  
Therefore, No Significant Effects are expected from the impacts of the Aurora Project on 
seascape and visual amenity. 
ONSHORE ENVIRONMENT 
4.10.4 BASELINE 
As mentioned in Section 3.2.1, the landing site is a recreational, undeveloped green area on a 
land strip forming a barrier between the North Sea and Ringkøbing Fjord. The land strip is a 
large expanse of heather and heathland surrounded by dunes. An existing HDD duct and BMH 
will be utilised for the Aurora Project to minimise potential impacts from installation activities 
on the Ringkøbing Fjord og Nymindestrømmen SAC. A solitary beach house is around 30 m 
north of the landing area and the area may be used for horseback riding as there is a horse-
riding centre around 300 m east of the landing site.  
4.10.5 EFFECTS ASSESSMENT 
During the installation, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning of the onshore 
segment of the Aurora Project, there will be an increase in vehicular movement and human 
activity, in addition to the presence of other onshore infrastructure, such as a site cordon. 
Project vehicles and other associated infrastructure may affect the physical characteristics and 
visual amenity of the landscape in the vicinity of the landing site. However, installation, 
operation and maintenance, and decommissioning activities are expected to be minimal, taking 
place over a short period and with existing access tracks being utilised. Due to the temporary 

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nature and the small scale of the onshore works, with trenching limited to the short distance 
between the existing HDD duct entry point (landward) and existing BMH, any impacts to the 
landscape and visual amenity will be negligible and in the short term only.  
Once installed, the subsea cable will lie entirely below ground, therefore having no pathway for 
effect on landscape and visual amenity. The only visible element of the Aurora Project is the 
access to the BMH, which is pre-existing and therefore, does not form part of the Aurora 
Project infrastructure considered for potential effects in this EIA Screening Report.   
4.10.6 SCREENING OUTCOMES 
Due to the onshore works associated with Aurora Project being temporary and of a small scale, 
whilst using existing infrastructure and access tracks where possible, impacts of the Aurora 
Project on landscape and visual amenity are considered to be negligible. Therefore, No 
Significant Effects are expected from the impacts of the Aurora Project on landscape and 
visual amenity. 
4.11 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES 
This section describes a high-level commercial fisheries baseline and assesses the potential for 
significant effects of the Aurora Project on commercial fisheries receptors. Impacts of the 
Aurora Project on commercial fisheries may include: 
• 
Direct impacts to the commercial fishing industry, such as:  
° 
Loss or restricted access to fishing grounds; 
° 
Displacement of fishing activity into other areas; 
° 
Interference with fishing activity; and 
° 
Loss or damage to fishing gear due to snagging. 
• 
Indirect impacts to commercial fisheries resources, such as: 
° 
Direct damage, habitat disturbance, underwater noise and the effects of suspended 
sediments on commercially important fish and shellfish ecology receptor groups. The 
potential for significant effects has been assessed in Section 4.4.2 (Fish and Shellfish 
Ecology); and 
° 
Increased collision and allision risk to commercial fishing vessels. The potential for 
significant effects has been assessed in Section 4.12.2 (Shipping and Navigation). 
4.11.1 BASELINE 
The Aurora Project crosses the North Sea, which is an important area for several key species of 
commercial interest including sole, cod, lemon sole, sandeel, mackerel and sprat. The 
commercial fisheries baseline in the Danish TS in proximity to the proposed Aurora Project has 
been categorised by vessel gear type and length class. 
Due to limited engine power and the extensive travel time to and from the fishing grounds, 
smaller fishing vessels (<12 m) are more limited in their spatial extent and usually fish in the 
vicinity of the home port. Therefore, it can be assumed that the smaller local vessels utilise the 
gross area of the Aurora Project within the Danish TS as fishing grounds. 
The number of commercial fishing vessels registered to the three (3) closest ports (Hvide 
Sands, Thorsminde and ThyborØn) to the landing site at Blaabjerg, of the proposed Aurora 

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Project have generally decreased over the study period (2019-2023) (Figure 4-8). The 
number of commercial fishing vessels have decreased from 36 vessels in 2019 to 29 vessels in 
2023 for the smaller length class (<12 m), and from 61 vessels in 2019 to 37 vessels in 2023 
for the larger length class (≥12 m). The line / hook vessels dominate in terms of number of 
vessels from the smaller size class (29 vessels in 2023), while beam trawls and stern trawls 
are the most abundant gear types in the larger size class (61 and 75 vessels in 2023, 
respectively) (the Danish Fisheries Agency, 2024). 
FIGURE 4-8 THE NUMBER OF DANISH COMMERCIAL FISHING VESSELS BY VESSEL TYPE 
AND LENGTH CLASS, WITH A HOME PORT IN HVIDE SANDS, THORSMINDE AND THYBORON 
(2019-2023) 
 
Source: The Danish Fisheries Agency, [postnr by] Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) commercial fishing effort data 
(kwh) by vessels >12 m from the EU and UK is illustrated in Figure 4-9. This figure indicates 
the highest levels of activity in Danish offshore waters, particularly by vessels deploying otter 
trawls and beam trawls (ICES, 2020). Within the Danish TS, the primary gear types deployed 
are beam trawls, otter trawls, pelagic trawls, pelagic seine nets, and static gears (ICES, 2019; 
EMODnet, 2024). However, the overall density of the >12 m fishing vessel within the Danish 
TS is less than in the offshore waters outside of the Danish TS boundary. Figure 4-9 indicates 
relatively high levels of beam trawl activity (>12 m) within the Danish TS, located to the south 
of the proposed Aurora Project. It can also be noted from Figure 4-9 that activity by vessels 
>12 m deploying dredges has not been recorded in proximity to the proposed Aurora Project. 
There is also minimal demersal seine netting activity in this area, none of which can be 
observed to overlap with the proposed Aurora Project.
0
[telefon]
100
120
140
160
Clam scraper
Hook vessel
Line/Hook vessel
Side trawler
Spinning net/Stern trawler
Spinning net/Yarn
Stern trawler
Beam trawl
Line/Hook vessel
Multipurpose vessel
(stern/side)
Other trawls
Side trawler
Spinning net
Spinning net/Stern trawler
Stern trawler
<12m
≥12m
Sum of Number of Vessels
[telefon]
[telefon]
2023

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FIGURE 4-9 FISHING EFFORT BY VESSELS UTILISING BEAM TRAWLS, DREDGES, OTTER TRAWLS AND SEINE NETS (EUROPEAN UNION 
AND UNITED KINGDOM VESSELS >12 METRES) (2017 TO 2020) 
 
Source: ICES, 2020 

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4.11.2 EFFECTS SCREENING  
Table 4-14 assesses the potential for significant effects on commercial fisheries receptors and 
impact pathways, as a result of installation, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning 
of the proposed Aurora Project.  
As a result of the baseline review process within Section 4.11.1, the following commercial 
fisheries receptor groups have been identified and taken forward into the screening of 
significant effects (Table 4-14): 
• 
Smaller (<12 m) local fishing vessels (i.e. line / hook and static gear vessels); 
• 
Beam trawl vessels (≥12 m);  
• 
Otter trawl vessels (≥12 m); and  
• 
Pelagic netting vessels (≥12 m). 
TABLE 4-14 
POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS ON COMMERCIAL FISHERIES 
Effect 
Potential for Significant Effects 
Loss or restricted access to 
fishing grounds 
Smaller local commercial fishing vessels (<12 m); beam 
trawl vessels (≥12 m); otter trawl vessels (≥12 m); 
pelagic netting vessels (≥12 m): 
There is the potential for temporary loss or restricted access to 
fishing grounds as a result of activities relating to the 
installation phase of the proposed Aurora Project (i.e. the 
entire length of the subsea cable route within the Danish TS 
will be closed to commercial fishing vessels during installation, 
as a realistic worst-case scenario). However, due to the limited 
level of observed commercial fishing activity overlapping with 
the proposed Aurora Project within the Danish TS, the Aurora 
Project’s relatively small scale and short timeframe for 
installation, no significant effect on commercial fisheries 
receptor groups during the installation phase is anticipated.  
There is the potential for loss or restricted access to fishing 
grounds as a result of the presence of the proposed Aurora 
Project on the seabed, as well as any necessary maintenance 
activities. Exclusion zones will be implemented around any 
Aurora Project vessel undertaking major maintenance; 
however no routine maintenance activities are planned and any 
necessary maintenance due to unplanned events is anticipated 
to be highly localised and of relatively short duration, with 
fishing activity only being excluded from discrete spatial areas. 
As described within Section 3.4, in water depths of less than 
1,000 m the subsea cable will be buried to a target depth of 2 
m (where feasible), while in water depths of more than 1,000 
m, the subsea cable will be laid on the seabed surface. Outputs 
of publicly available bathymetry data indicate that depths 
within the Danish TS where the proposed Aurora Project is to 
be located, range from approximately 0.5 m at the location of 
the existing HDD duct exit point (seaward), gradually sloping 
to a maximum depth of approximately 30 m at the Danish TS 
boundary (EMODnet, 2022). Furthermore, the seabed sediment 
along the proposed subsea cable route is predominantly made 
up of a fine to medium grained sand and clay, with no 
indication of hard, rocky substrates (as described in Section 
4.1.1.1). It can, therefore, be assumed that the subsea cable 
within the Danish TS will be buried to target depth (2 m) and 
due to the nature of the fishing gear active in the region (i.e. 
limited bottom contact), fishing is expected to continue without 
any significant loss of area or restricted access due to presence 
of the buried subsea cable. No significant effect on commercial 

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Effect 
Potential for Significant Effects 
fisheries receptor groups due to maintenance activity is 
anticipated. 
In light of the above, it is concluded that there is Low 
potential for Significant Effects on commercial fisheries 
receptors with regard to loss or restricted access to fishing 
grounds as a result of the proposed Aurora Project, as any 
impacts will be minimal and temporary. 
Displacement of fishing activity 
into other areas 
Smaller local commercial fishing vessels (<12 m); beam 
trawl vessels (≥12 m); otter trawl vessels (≥12 m); 
pelagic netting vessels (≥12 m): 
As described above for “loss or restricted access to fishing 
grounds”, any displacement of fishing activity into other areas 
during the installation phase of the proposed Aurora Project 
will be minimal and temporary, due to the limited level of 
observed commercial fishing activity overlapping with the 
proposed Aurora Project within the Danish TS, the Aurora 
Project’s relatively small scale and short timeframe for 
installation. No significant effect on commercial fisheries 
receptor groups during the installation phase is anticipated. 
Any displacement of fishing activity into other areas during 
maintenance activities is expected to be limited to discreet 
spatial areas, due to the small scale and short duration of any 
maintenance activities. As described above for “loss or 
restricted access to fishing grounds”, it can be assumed that 
the subsea cable within the Danish TS will be buried to target 
depth (2 m). Due to the nature of the fishing gear active in the 
region (i.e. limited bottom contact), fishing is expected to 
continue without any significant loss of area or restricted 
access, limiting any displacement of fishing activity into other 
areas due to the presence of the subsea cable. No significant 
effect on commercial fisheries receptor groups during 
maintenance activity is anticipated. 
In light of the above, it is concluded that there is Low 
potential for Significant Effects on commercial fisheries 
receptors with regard to displacement of fishing activity into 
other areas as a result of the proposed Aurora Project, as any 
impacts will be minimal and temporary. 
Interference with fishing 
activity 
Smaller local commercial fishing vessels (<12 m); beam 
trawl vessels (≥12 m); otter trawl vessels (≥12 m); 
pelagic netting vessels (≥12 m): 
There is potential for interference with fishing activity during 
installation, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning, 
where the presence and activity of the Aurora Project’s 
installation vessel may occur in areas of commercial fishing. 
Although the installation vessel will add to the existing level of 
shipping activity in the area, there are already moderate levels 
of vessel traffic that exist in the area and there is co-existence 
of fishing vessels with other marine traffic. Fishing vessels 
engaged in fishing must exhibit appropriate lighting; and have 
the right of way over most other marine traffic.  
Therefore, installation, operation and maintenance, and 
decommissioning activities are not anticipated to result in 
permanent interference with commercial fishing activity, and 
through the use of adequate marking and navigational safety 
procedures, impacts are considered to be infrequent and 
temporary. As such, there is a low potential for Significant 
Effects on commercial fisheries receptors due to interference 
with fishing activity as a result of the proposed Aurora Project. 

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Effect 
Potential for Significant Effects 
Loss or damage to fishing gear 
due to snagging 
Smaller local commercial fishing vessels (<12 m); beam 
trawl vessels (≥12 m); otter trawl vessels (≥12 m); 
pelagic netting vessels (≥12 m): 
The installation, operation and maintenance, and 
decommissioning of the proposed Aurora Project may lead to 
loss or damage to fishing gear due to snagging. Snagging risks 
may occur as a result of exposed infrastructure on the seabed, 
such as unburied subsea cable (or subsea cable not buried to 
target depth). The Aurora Project, including the ‘as-laid’ 
coordinates, shall be recorded and submitted to the relevant 
authorities and Kingfisher for inclusion on charts. The 
commercial fishing industry will be fully informed of any 
potential snagging risks through Notice to Mariners (NtM). Use 
of advisory clearance distances and safety zones during any 
maintenance will minimise the risk of interaction between 
fishing vessels and project infrastructure, therefore reducing 
the risk of snagging. Where it is deemed necessary, snagging 
risks will be marked by a guard vessel or navigational marker.  
Based on commitments to follow standard protocols, there is a 
low potential for Significant Effects on commercial fisheries 
receptors with regard to loss or damage to fishing gear due to 
snagging as a result of the proposed Aurora Project. 
4.11.3 SCREENING OUTCOMES 
The potential impacts to commercial fisheries receptor groups during the installation, operation 
and maintenance, and decommissioning of the Auora Project within the Danish TS are 
determined to be: 
• 
Loss or restricted access to fishing grounds; 
• 
Displacement of fishing activity into other areas; 
• 
Interference with fishing activity; and  
• 
Loss or damage to fishing gear due to snagging. 
Due to the nature of the Aurora Project, the lack of permanent seabed infrastructure being 
installed, the type of trenching asset being utilised, and effective route engineering, it was 
determined that the potential for Significant Effects to commercial fisheries associated with 
the Aurora Project within the Study Area is Low. 
4.12 SHIPPING AND NAVIGATION 
This section describes the shipping and navigation baseline in the Danish TS and assesses the 
potential for significant effects of the Aurora Project on shipping and navigation receptors. 
Impacts of the Aurora Project on shipping and navigation may include: 
• 
Vessel-to-vessel collisions, due to the presence of the Aurora Project’s installation vessel 
and displacement of local vessels; 
• 
Direct collisions with the Aurora Project infrastructure, and associated snagging risks; 
• 
Disruption to pre-existing navigational management during installation, operation and 
maintenance, and decommissioning where activities may be taking place in key 
anchorages or waiting areas; and 
• 
Disruption to search and rescue operations, where search and rescue vessels may have to 
re-route due to presence of Aurora Project activities and associated vessels. 

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4.12.1 BASELINE 
4.12.1.1 COMMERCIAL VESSELS INCLUDING TANKERS, CARGO, FISHING, DREDGING, 
RECREATIONAL AND SERVICE VESSELS 
As shown in Figure 4-10 below, the proposed subsea cable route crosses an area of high-
density shipping traffic for vessels transiting around the northern coast of Denmark. The 
activity in this area is undertaken by a large range of vessel types. 
Within the subsea cable route within the Danish TS, fishing activity attains the largest vessel 
density within the Study Area, with the highest densities located within and around the port, 
decreasing in activity further offshore (EMODnet, 2023). Cargo activity attains a low vessel 
density within the Study Area (EMODnet, 2023). Similarly, military and law enforcement 
vessels are measured to have low densities within the Study Area (EMODnet, 2023). Limited 
dredging or underwater operation vessel densities are found within the vicinity of the Aurora 
Project landing site (as defined in Section 3 [Project Description]). However, densities are 
observed to increase from Hvinde Sande harbour and further south of the landing site 
(EMODnet, 2023). Recreational vessels are observed to follow a similar trend, with little 
activity observed surrounding the landing site, with higher densities observed further south of 
the site and subsea cable route (EMODnet, 2023).

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 FIGURE 4-10 
SHIPPING DENSITY IN DANISH EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE AND TERRITORIAL SEAS 

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4.12.1.2 PRE-EXISTING NAVIGATIONAL MANAGEMENT 
The Aurora Project within Denmark TS is located near to Hvinde Sand Harbour. In recent years, 
the port has developed into an active traffic port, providing a base for fishing activities, goods 
transportation and a number of offshore wind activities, including crew boats and Jack-up 
vessels, acting as a key area for anchoring. Reflecting this, overall vessel traffic is high within 
the area of the TS neighbouring either side of and within the harbour, with densities reducing 
further offshore along the subsea cable route (EMODnet, 2023; MarineTraffic, 2022). 
4.12.1.3 SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS 
The Aurora Project within Denmark TS is an active search and rescue area. 
4.12.1.4 OTHER OFFSHORE ACTIVITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE VESSELS 
The Aurora Project is situated within a busy offshore area, with large amounts of other offshore 
activities and infrastructure vessels present. There are several offshore windfarms in the 
vicinity of the proposed subsea cable route. Horns Rev III, Horns Rev II and Horns Rev I are 
located outside of the TS boundary. The subsea cable route passes through the lease areas for 
Nordsren I, Nordsren II and Nordsren III. The only offshore windfarm within the TS in the 
vicinity of the Aurora Project is Vesterhav Syd, although the subsea cable does not pass 
through this area. Associated tug and towing vessels are observed to have high densities 
surrounding the Aurora Project landing site area, between the inshore areas and renewable 
infrastructure further offshore (EMODnet, 2023). Associated service vessels are reported to 
have significantly lower average densities offshore within the TS along the subsea cable route, 
with high densities centralised within Hvinde Sande port (EMODnet, 2023). 
4.12.2 EFFECTS ASSESSMENT 
The Aurora Project will follow standard maritime safety procedures throughout the duration of 
the Project. Embedded mitigation measures (in addition to those in Section 5.1) include: 
• 
NtM; 
• 
Notices to local fishermen; 
• 
Safety Exclusion Zone established around the main lay vessel in agreement with the DMA; 
and 
• 
Dedicated lookout on the installation vessel, regular broadcasts and direct warning over 
radio of nearby traffic. 
A protective zone will be established around the subsea cable (‘cable field’) in accordance with 
order no. 939 of 27 November 1992 on protection of submarine cables and submarine 
pipelines (the cable order), within which, ships may not anchor, without urgent necessity.  
The installation vessel will comply with Danish and international maritime safety legislation, 
including COLREGs. Standard commercial operations regulations and standards should be 
adhered to throughout the subsea cable installation including SOLAS and MARPOL 73/78. For 
sufficient navigational safety, the Aurora Project should act in accordance with Section 6 of the 
Act on Safety at Sea, as established by the DMA; specific requirements are defined in further 
detail within the order on safety of navigation in connection with installation works and other 
activities, etc. in Danish waters. 

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Table 4-15 assesses the potential for significant effects on shipping and navigation receptors 
and impact pathways, as a result of Aurora Project activities. 
TABLE 4-15 
POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS ON SHIPPING AND NAVIGATION 
Effect 
Potential for Significant Effects 
Potential for vessel-to-vessel 
collisions, direct collisions with 
infrastructure and snagging risk 
There is potential for installation, operation and maintenance, 
and decommissioning activities to result in vessel-to-vessel 
collisions, due to the presence of the Aurora Project related 
vessels and displacement of local vessels. Snagging risks may 
also occur where project infrastructure is present, specifically 
for anchoring and fishing vessels. When considering the short 
duration of installation work in the Danish TS (approximately 
three [3] weeks), the one (1) installation vessel and the 
embedded mitigation above, No Significant Effects are 
expected. 
Disruption to pre-existing 
navigational management 
There is potential for disruption to pre-existing navigational 
management during installation where activities may be taking 
place in key anchorages or waiting areas, resulting in loss of 
access to these areas. Installation is not considered to be a 
permanent displacement for other vessels. When considering 
the short duration of installation work in the Danish TS 
(approximately three [3] weeks), the one (1) installation vessel 
and based on the use of adequate marking and navigational 
safety procedures, impacts are considered to be infrequent and 
temporary, therefore, No Significant Effects are expected.  
Disruption to search and rescue 
operations 
There is potential for disruption to search and rescue operations 
where search and rescue vessels may have to reroute due to 
the presence of the Aurora Project activities and associated 
vessels. The subsea cable route will be adequately marked on 
navigational charts and positions will be notified prior to works, 
therefore the impacts are considered to be infrequent and 
temporary, therefore, No Significant Effects are expected. 
 
4.12.3 SCREENING OUTCOMES 
There are considered to be No Significant Effects on shipping and navigation based on the 
low level of activity, short duration of installation work in the Danish TS (approximately three 
[3] weeks), and adherence to standard maritime safety procedures throughout the duration of 
the Aurora Project.  
Should there be a significant increase in the Aurora Project related vessel traffic or a significant 
increase in baseline shipping levels due to e.g. active offshore windfarm construction activity in 
the area of the subsea cable route, it is recommended that the DMA is consulted with in order 
to determine whether a further assessment of safety of navigation should be undertaken. Any 
such assessment should be undertaken in compliance with international industry guidance and 
best practices (The IMO Formal Safety Assessment [FSA]).  
4.13 MARINE ARCHAEOLOGY 
This section establishes a high-level archaeological and historical baseline for the area 
surrounding the Aurora Project, located in the North Sea and making landfall in Denmark at 
the isthmus separating the Ringkobing Fjord and the North Sea. This section assesses potential 
impacts of the Aurora Project on the cultural heritage and archaeology resource in the area 
potentially affected by Aurora Project activities.  

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Impacts on cultural heritage assets may include:  
• 
Direct physical impacts – the damage or full removal of a cultural heritage asset through 
installation, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning e.g. during RC (including 
PLGR) or subsea cable burial, or by the placement of protection measures on the seabed; 
and 
• 
Indirect physical impacts – the potential burial, destabilisation or damage of a cultural 
heritage asset due to physical changes indirectly caused by installation, operation and 
maintenance, and decommissioning e.g. changes in seabed sediment level or current flow.  
For this assessment marine archaeology is separated from terrestrial archaeology by the Mean 
High Water Springs (MHWS). All installation related activity is limited to the marine 
environment, all intertidal and terrestrial components are assessed in Section 4.14 
(Terrestrial Archaeology). 
4.13.1 BASELINE 
Marine cultural heritage assets can be divided into known and unknown assets, with the known 
cultural heritage assets being further split between designated and non-designated assets. 
Designated marine assets may include: 
• 
World heritage sites; and 
• 
Protected World War II (WWII) wrecks (including military remains). 
Known non-designated assets may be of archaeological and cultural significance but not 
necessarily qualified, at present, as a designated asset. Unknown assets include assets that 
have not as yet been identified or located, but have the potential to be present. 
The types of marine heritage receptors can be grouped into the following categories: 
• 
Submerged prehistory and landscapes; 
• 
Marine archaeology; and 
• 
Aviation archaeology. 
4.13.1.1 BASELINE METHODOLOGY 
This assessment utilises freely available data from the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office 
(UKHO) wrecks and obstruction database (Admiralty, no date), UNESCO World Heritage List 
(UNESCO, no date), Splashcos Viewer (Splashcos, no date), and data from Fund Og 
Fortidsminder (no date). To develop an appropriate baseline for assessment, a consideration is 
made for the potential direct and indirect physical impacts to known designated and non-
designated assets identified via these sources.   
The Study Area was used to identify potential direct or indirect physical impacts to known 
designated and non-designated assets. A 1 km Area of Interest (AoI) was created which 
consists of the subsea cable route, plus a 1 km buffer corridor, to identify known heritage 
designated and non-designated assets to aid in the assessment of the potential for any 
previously unknown heritage assets, and provide contextual information. 
4.13.1.2 DESIGNATED ASSETS 
There are no designated assets within the Study Area or within the 1 km AoI. 

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4.13.1.3 NON-DESIGNATED ASSETS 
There are no non-designated assets within the Study Area. 
Within the 1 km AoI there are three shipwrecks and one anchor and chain (foul area) identified 
in the UKHO database (UKHO number 32370, 32373, 79338, and 90171 respectively). 
4.13.1.4 SUBMERGED PREHISTORY 
Denmark has a dense concentration of submerged prehistoric sites due to its conditions being 
favourable for archaeological preservation, deposition and changes in sea level during the 
Pleistocene and Holocene (Cohen et al., 2017). These conditions most often included rapid 
infilling of gyttja or fine clay from when the artefacts were initially deposited that encased the 
artefacts creating an anoxic environment, alongside prehistoric settlement areas located on the 
palaeoshoreline, that were subject to subsequent sea-level rise of roughly 30-40 m because of 
marine inundation (Cohen et al., 2017). This has then maintained the material in permanently 
submerged and anoxic conditions (Baeily et al., 2020). The subsea cable makes landfall along 
the isthmus separating Ringkobing Fjord and the North Sea, which may have these favourable 
conditions as known sites as early as the Neolithic have been found in the area. While these 
are not known marine assets, they do indicate the moderate potential for there being unknown 
buried prehisotric archaeology within the subsea cable route. 
4.13.1.5 MARITIME ARCHAEOLOGY 
The footprint of the Study Area is located over open water to the MHWS, as such any unknown 
assets present would fall under the category of marine archaeology. Marine archaeology can be 
defined as evidence of “human utilisation of maritime space by boat, settlement, fishing, 
hunting, shipping and its attendant subcultures, such as pilotage, lighthouse and seamark 
maintenance” (Westerdahl, 1992). Remains considered for assessment range from shipwrecks 
or other durable evidence such as cargos and ballast, to features including navigational aids, 
sailing marks, ports, harbours, and jetties. Maritime assets may also include intertidal and 
coastal features which do not specifically relate to a wreck or vessel site. These may include 
fish traps and other evidence of human interaction with the sea, or intertidal areas such as 
eroded remains from nearby coastal features or settlements, or other evidence of coastal use.  
Preservation of maritime heritage assets, particularly for organic and less robust materials, is 
more likely in lower energy environments and areas where the seabed contains a suitable 
depth of fine-grained marine sediments conducive to creating an anoxic environment. 
Conversely, higher energy environments (e.g. within the zones of wave action and stronger 
tidal energy) and areas of rocky seabed are less conducive to the preservation of maritime 
remains. 
Information regarding the preservation potential or presence of wreck sites within the Study 
Area is limited due to a lack of archaeologically reviewed survey data. Although there are no 
known designated marine assets within the Study Area, three (3) undesignated assets have 
been identified within the AoI (Section 4.13.1.3). A site specific geophysical survey 
conducted by EGS as part of the CRS (completed in September 2024), identified one (1) 
potential wreck (AUR-S1-EV-SC002; >200 m from the RPL), and 57 potential items of in 
descript debris and fishing gear and 176 magnetic anomalies (32 unknown) within Danish 
waters (EGS, 2024). There is a high potential for further unknown submerged archaeology in 
the Study Area as the immediate vicinity of the subsea cable is located along an isthmus that 

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may have formerly been a port of call for ships along the west coast of Denmark that has been 
submerged by the sea since the mid-1600s (Fund og Fortisminder, 2024). 
4.13.1.6 AVIATION ARCHAEOLOGY 
Marine aviation, in this context, includes civilian and military aircraft that have crashed, sunk 
or been scuttled under a body of water. Aviation technology has been available since the early 
20th century, although air travel became more prevalent after WWI. During the inter-war years 
commercial air travel boomed, and during WWII the skies were dominated by military aircraft. 
After the war, commercial aviation steadily increased and improved; often for this type of 
archaeology the main periods are associated with major developments in aviation design 
including pre-1939, 1939 to 1945, and post-1945. No contacts linked to aviation debris were 
identified within the geophysical survey within Danish waters, although items of debris and 
magnetic anomalies were identified (EGS, 2024). While no databases provided information 
about known aviation wrecks within the 1 km AoI, it can be assumed that with the scattered 
population and coastal settlements across Denmark, any marine wreck event had the potential 
to be properly recorded. Therefore, there is presumed to be a low potential to identify any 
unknown aircraft within the Study Area, however any identified may be significant due to the 
high intangible value. 
4.13.2 EFFECTS ASSESSMENT 
Table 4-16 assesses the potential for significant effects on marine archaeology receptors and 
impact pathways, as a result of installation, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning 
of the proposed Aurora Project. 
TABLE 4-16 
POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS ON MARINE ARCHAEOLOGY 
Effect 
Potential for Significant Effects 
Direct Effects 
There are predicted to be No Significant Direct Effects to 
known or unknown submerged prehistory, maritime 
archaeology, or aviation archaeology, as designated or non-
designated assets, based on the assumptions below 
(Section 4.13.2.1).  
Indirect Effects 
There are predicted to be No Significant Indirect Effects to 
known or unknown submerged prehistory, maritime 
archaeology, or aviation archaeology, as designated or non-
designated assets, based on the assumptions below 
(Section 4.13.2.1).  
4.13.2.1 ASSUMPTIONS 
This effects assessment is based on the following assumptions:  
• 
Site specific survey data will be fit for purpose and made available to the local Danish 
archaeological body (Marine Archaeology at Strandings Museet [MAJ]) and any potential 
finds of archaeological interest will be reviewed by a qualified archaeologist to ensure that 
any micro-siting via exclusion zones are identified;  
• 
A photographic record and log of any cores sampled and tested along the route will be 
made available to the local Danish archaeological body (MAJ) and reviewed by a qualified 
archaeologist (alongside any available ground models), with potential for further review 
and assessment upon identification of units of interest, where practicable;  

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• 
Any unexploded ordnances (UXO) survey data, investigations and reporting will be made 
available to the appropriate Danish authorities for review;  
• 
The onshore segment of the subsea cable route from the existing HDD duct entry point 
(landward) towards the BMH will be in an area that is previously disturbed; and 
• 
During installation, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning activities, any 
potential finds of archaeological interest are retained, reported to the relevant Danish 
authorities (MAJ) and managed appropriately. 
4.13.3 SCREENING OUTCOMES 
There are no significant direct adverse effects to known or unknown submerged 
prehistory, maritime archaeology, and aviation archaeology. Awareness and avoidance, where 
possible, of contacts identified during the geophysical survey is recommended and a temporary 
archaeological exclusion zone (TAEZ) of 100m should be maintained around the wreck 
identified in the cable route survey (understood to be located >200 m from the RPL).  The 
TAEZ should be maintained until further review by an archaeologist is completed (Table 4-17). 
Similarly, there are no anticipated indirect effects to known or unknown archaeology 
from the subsea cable route. This is based on the assumptions listed in Section 4.13.2.1.  
TABLE 4-17 
RECOMMENDED ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCLUSION ZONE (PROJECT SPECIFIC 
PROJECTION; WGS84 MERCATOR) 
ID 
Easting 
(m) 
Northing 
(m) 
KP 
RPL offset 
Description 
Dimensions 
(m) 
TAEZ 
AUR-
S1-EV-
SC002 
5797392.5 
[telefon].1 
7019.059 
208m NW 
Possible ship 
wreck 
50.9x8.3x3 
100 m 
 
4.14 TERRESTRIAL ARCHAEOLOGY 
This section establishes a high level archaeological and historical baseline for the Study Area 
surrounding the Aurora Project, located in the North Sea and the landing site at Blaabjerg, 
Denmark in the strip of land separating the Ringkobing Fjord and the North Sea and assesses 
potential impacts of the Aurora Project on the cultural heritage and archaeology resource in 
the area potentially affected by the Aurora Project’s activities. 
Impacts on cultural heritage assets may include:  
• 
Direct physical impacts – damage / removal wholly or in part, of a cultural heritage asset 
through installation, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning of the Aurora 
Project e.g. onshore burial of the subsea cable and any associated infrastructure; 
• 
Indirect physical impacts – damage / removal wholly or in part, a cultural heritage asset 
due to physical changes indirectly caused by installation, operation and maintenance, and 
decommissioning of the Aurora Project ; and  
• 
Impacts to setting – changes to the setting of a designated cultural heritage asset within 
its landscape or seascape. 
For this assessment marine archaeology is separated from terrestrial archaeology by the 
MHWS. It is currently understood that installation will occur above the MHWS, within the 
landfall Study Area in the terrestrial environment. Therefore, all direct and indirect physical 

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impacts are anticipated to be within the terrestrial environment for this section, as the subsea 
cable will not be visible onshore after its installation. 
4.14.1 BASELINE 
As mentioned in Section 4.13, for this report, the dividing line between terrestrial and marine 
cultural heritage assets is the MHWS. Terrestrial heritage assets are defined as all heritage 
assets located onshore above the MHWS.  
Terrestrial assets can be divided into known and unknown assets, with the known cultural 
heritage assets being further split between designated and undesignated assets. Designated 
assets may include:   
• 
World heritage sites; 
• 
Protected stone and earth dykes;  
• 
Protected buildings; and 
• 
Ancient sites and monuments, including cultural heritage areas of national importance. 
Known non-designated assets may be of archaeological and cultural significance but not 
necessarily qualified, at present, as a designated asset. Unknown assets include assets that 
have not as yet been identified or located, but have the potential to be present.  
4.14.1.1 BASELINE METHODOLOGY 
This assessment utilises freely available data from the UNESCO World Heritage List, Google 
Earth, Splascos Viewer (Splashcos, no date), and data from Fund Og Fortidsminder (Fund Og 
Fortidsminder, 2024). To develop an appropriate baseline for assessment, a consideration is 
made for the potential direct and indirect physical impacts to known designated and non-
designated assets identified via these sources.   
The Study Area was used to identify potential direct or indirect physical impacts to known 
designated and non-designated assets A 1 km AoI was created which consists of the subsea 
cable route, plus a 1 km buffer corridor, to identify known heritage designated and non-
designated assets to aid in the assessment of the potential for any unknown heritage assets. 
4.14.1.2 DESIGNATED ASSETS 
There is one (1) designated asset within the Study Area, it is a Cultural Heritage Area of 
National Importance: Sdr. Haurvig (166484). It encompasses an area where a former trading 
post may have been that has been partially submerged since the 1600’s.  
There are no designated assets within 1 km AoI. 
4.14.1.3 NON-DESIGNATED ASSETS 
There are 14 recorded isolated finds within the Study Area, all were coins that range in age 
from the Iron Age to recent times. 
Within the 1 km Study Area there are 12 recorded isolated finds and one WWII bunker. Of the 
12 findspots, 11 are locations where coins were identified, these range in age from the Iron 
Age to recent times. The final isolated findspot was a Stone Age pendant.  

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4.14.2 EFFECTS ASSESSMENT 
Table 4-18 assesses the potential for significant effects on terrestrial archaeology receptors 
and impact pathways, as a result of installation, operation and maintenance, and 
decommissioning of the proposed Aurora Project. 
TABLE 4-18 
POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS ON TERRESTRIAL ARCHAEOLOGY 
Effect 
Potential for Significant Effects 
Direct Effects 
On the assumption that the Aurora Project groundworks will 
take place within areas that have been previously disturbed, 
there is no potential for direct significant adverse effects, 
to sites and monuments, archaeology, world heritage sites, or 
listed buildings. This is predicated on the previous ground 
disturbance having removed any heritage assets existing 
within the bounds of the initial disturbance. 
Should additional groundworks subsequently be required in 
areas with no previous ground disturbance, a further 
assessment of potential effects on terrestrial archaeology 
should be undertaken. 
Indirect Effects 
There are no anticipated potential significant, indirect 
effects to heritage assets from the Aurora Project as 
ground disturbance will occur in a previously disturbed area. 
Setting Effects 
There are no anticipated potential significant, or setting 
effects to heritage assets from the Aurora Project as it 
will utilise existing terrestrial infrastructure including the 
existing HDD duct and BMH, with no new above ground 
facilities or infrastructure that could introduce new 
characteristics to the landscape that would negatively affect 
the way an asset is understood, appreciated, or experienced. 
4.14.3 SCREENING OUTCOMES 
There are no anticipated significant direct, indirect or setting effects to terrestrial 
archaeology heritage assets as ground disturbances related to the Aurora Project are assumed 
to occur within the limits of previous disturbance within the area. As such, based on this 
assumption, terrestrial archaeology can be screened out of further assessment. However, in 
the event that ground disturbances will need to occur within an area that has not been 
previously disturbed then an additional assessment of the potential effects to terrestrial 
heritage assets should be undertaken.  
4.15 OTHER USERS 
This section details the baseline in the Danish TS and identifies the potential for significant 
effects on other users within the onshore environment surrounding the proposed Danish 
segment of the Aurora Project. Impacts to other users and infrastructure may include: 
• 
Direct damage to third party infrastructure; 
• 
Temporary obstruction and / or displacement of other users activities, this has the 
potential to occur across all of the Aurora Project phases due to avoidance of installation 
vessel and / or vehicles and exclusion from safety zones; and 
• 
Increased SSC on aquaculture sites during installation activities. 

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4.15.1 BASELINE 
4.15.1.1 OFFSHORE RENEWABLE ENERGY 
The Danish Energy Agency has committed to 12.9 GW of offshore wind by 2030 and the 
proposed subsea cable route passes through the offshore wind lease areas for Nordsren I, II 
and III on the boundary of the TS. Also located near (but outside of) the TS boundary are the 
operational Horns Rev II and III offshore windfarms. The only offshore windfarm identified 
within the TS is the operational Vesterhav Syd offshore windfarm. It should be noted that the 
proposed subsea cable does not intersect any operational offshore windfarm array areas or 
their export cables. The final site details of the offshore windfarm lease areas are not yet 
known; however, it is considered unlikely that construction of these sites will be undertaken 
prior to the installation of the Aurora Project. 
4.15.1.2 OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS INSTALLATIONS 
No oil and gas installations or active licences are located in proximity to the proposed Aurora 
Project within Danish TS. Three (3) active pipelines make landfall between Nymindegab and 
Henne Strand south of the landing site in Norre Nebel, at Blaabjerg, Denmark. These are 
identified as: 
• 
PL1014_PR gas pipeline, operated by Dong Exploration and Production; 
• 
PL1017_PR gas pipeline, operated by Maersk Oil; and 
• 
PL1007_PR oil pipeline, operated by Maersk Oil. 
4.15.1.3 SUBSEA CABLES 
A total of five (5) active subsea telecommunication cables make landfall between Nymindegab 
and Henne Strand, south of the landing site in Norre Nebel, at Blaabjerg, Denmark. These are 
identified as: 
• 
Havfrue Seg 07; 
• 
Havhingsten; 
• 
Cantat 3; 
• 
UK-Denmark 4; and 
• 
Danice. 
4.15.1.4 AGGREGATE EXTRACTION AND DREDGING 
Husby Klit, an active aggregate extraction area is identified north of the proposed Aurora 
Project. Several other active and exploration aggregate areas are also identified north of the 
proposed subsea cable within the Danish TS.  
Maintenance dredging of Ringkøbing Fjord and dredging of its harbours is undertaken on a 
routine basis. The dredged material is then disposed of at sea. 
4.15.1.5 AQUACULTURE 
Seven (7) aquaculture sites for diversified salmonid and other fish species are located along 
the western edge of Ringkøbing Fjord. Five (5) of these sites are located north of the Aurora 
Project and landing site in Norre Nebel, at Blaabjerg, Denmark, and two are located south of 
the Aurora Project.  

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4.15.1.6 MILITARY AREAS 
No military areas have been identified in the Danish TS in proximity to the proposed Aurora 
Project. 
4.15.1.7 ONSHORE RECREATIONAL USERS AND TOURISM 
The landing site is located in Norre Nebel, Blaabjerg, west of Ringkøbing Fjord. The beaches 
along the west coast of Jutland are freely accessible to tourists and are a popular location for 
recreational activities like horse riding and hiking, with a number of coastal walking routes 
located in the Study Area. Within Ringkøbing Fjords sport angling and tours of the Fjord are 
also undertaken. Peak tourism and recreational periods are expected during the summer 
months between June to August, annually. 
4.15.2 EFFECTS ASSESSMENT 
Table 4-19 assesses the potential for significant effects on other users and impact pathways, 
as a result of installation, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning of the proposed 
Aurora Project. 
TABLE 4-19 
POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS ON OTHER USERS 
Effect 
Potential for Significant Effects 
Direct damage to third party 
infrastructure 
The only identified offshore windfarm within the Danish TS in 
proximity to the Aurora Project is the operational Vesterhav 
Syd offshore windfarm, which is not intersected by the Aurora 
Project. Three (3) active pipelines and five active subsea 
cables are also identified south of the landing site of the 
Aurora Project. As there are no proposed cable or pipeline 
crossings and the Aurora Project does not cross in close 
proximity to the identified offshore windfarm, cables and 
pipelines within the TS, it is considered that direct damage to 
third party infrastructure is unlikely. Therefore, it is considered 
that there is no potential for significant effects. 
Temporary obstruction and/or 
displacement of other users 
activities 
The Aurora Project does not intersect the Vesterhav Syd array 
area and vessel activity associated with Vesterhav Syd offshore 
windfarm is considered to be greatly reduced now the project 
has finished construction. Furthermore, the Aurora Project 
does not cross in close proximity to the three (3) identified 
pipelines and five (5) subsea cables or intersect the Husby Klit 
extraction site and routine dredging sites within of Ringkøbing 
Fjord. Vessels transiting to these sites would be infrequent and 
temporary, as such it is considered that there is no potential 
for significant effects due to obstruction to vessels. 
Beach access to recreational users and tourists will be 
maintained throughout installation and existing infrastructure 
(i.e. HDD duct) will be utilised to land the subsea cable. There 
is potential for some obstruction of recreational activities when 
the subsea cable is pulled through the existing HDD duct and 
connected to the BMH, however this will be temporary and 
short-term. Therefore, it is considered that there is no 
potential for significant effects. 
No military areas, oil and gas installations or active licences 
are identified which are likely to interact with installation, 
operation and maintenance, and decommissioning activities, 
therefore there is no potential for significant effects.  

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4.15.3 SCREENING OUTCOMES 
It is concluded that potential impacts from the installation of the Aurora Project will largely be 
short-term and temporary. Any impacts relating to obstruction and / or displacement of other 
user activities and increased SSC are unlikely to result in a significant effect. Additionally, as 
the Aurora Project does not cross any identified cables or pipelines within the Danish TS, or 
intersect any operational offshore windfarm array areas, there is no potential for direct 
damage to occur to third party infrastructure. 
As such, No Significant Effects to other users within the offshore TS and the onshore Study 
Area surrounding the proposed Danish segment of the Aurora Project are expected. 
4.16 CUMULATIVE EFFECTS 
Cumulative effects are the impacts of a development on people or the environment, which act 
cumulatively with other planned or reasonably predictable developments. Cumulative effects 
can arise from individual impacts resulting in minor effects, which when combined with other 
planned developments result in a more significant effect. Activities and developments which 
are already underway at the time of this screening activity have been assessed as forming part 
of the baseline environment and are therefore not considered as part of the cumulative 
assessment. 
This section describes the baseline of existing and proposed developments in the vicinity of the 
Aurora Project and considers the potential for significant cumulative effects as a result of these 
developments. Based on the Aurora Project activities, the following potential cumulative effects 
on sensitive receptors have been considered: 
• 
Underwater noise generated from the Aurora Project related vessel sources affecting 
marine mammals; 
• 
Seabed habitat change from a number of seabed installations, (e.g. future pipelines and 
cables); and 
• 
Seabed disturbance / sediment dispersion from cable / pipeline installation activities. 
4.16.1 BASELINE 
As outlined in Section 4.15 (Other Users), the Aurora Project passes through, or in close 
proximity to existing offshore windfarms, and dredging areas in the Danish TS.  A review of the 
status of projects and activities in general proximity to the Aurora Project’s Study Area has 
identified the following offshore windfarms and lease areas: 
• 
Nordsren I, II and III lease areas – located outside of the TS, the Aurora Project will 
pass in close proximity to these lease areas, however it is expected that the construction of 
these site will take place after the Aurora Project has been installed; 
• 
Horns Rev II and III offshore windfarms – operational offshore windfarms located 
outside of the TS; the Aurora Project does not pass through; and 
• 
Versterhav Syd offshore windfarm – operational offshore windfarm located within the 
TS; the Aurora Project does not pass through. 
The following planned or operational cables and pipelines have been identified as either 
crossing or being within 500 m of the Aurora Project, located outside of the TS (Danish Cable 
Protection Committee (DKCPC), no date): 

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• 
IOEMA – proposed subsea telecommunications cable connecting the UK, Germany, the 
Netherlands, Denmark and Norway. Project plans were launched in May 2024, therefore 
not anticipated to be installed until after the Aurora Project;  
• 
Havfrue – operational subsea telecommunications cable connecting the US, to Ireland, 
Norway and Denmark; 
• 
NordLink – operational subsea power cable connecting Germany and Norway; 
• 
NordNed – operational subsea power cable connecting Norway and the Netherlands; 
• 
Shefa 2 – operational subsea telecommunications cable; and 
• 
DANICE – operational subsea telecommunications cable connecting Iceland and Denmark. 
4.16.2 EFFECTS ASSESSMENT 
No planned or reasonably predictable projects have been identified which are likely to 
temporally overlap with the installation of the Aurora Project. The cables and pipelines in the 
vicinity of the Aurora Project are outside of the TS boundary, and are either already installed or 
will not be installed during the timeline of installation for the Aurora Project and therefore will 
not contribute to cumulative effects. The Aurora Project passes in close proximity to the 
proposed Nordsren offshore windfarms, which are not expected to be constructed until after 
the Aurora Project is installed. Therefore, there is no potential for cumulative effects to arise 
from the impacts of the installation of the Aurora Project, cumulatively with other installations 
or constructions.  
As there are no known installations or constructions in the vicinity of the subsea cable route 
which are likely to overlap with installation of the Aurora Project, there is no potential for 
cumulative effects to arise from the impacts of underwater noise. Any impacts from the Aurora 
Project on seabed habitat disturbance and sediment dispersion will be negligible due to the 
temporary nature and small scale of the installation. Seabed habitats will likely have 
recovered, and sediment will have settled before future activities are carried out, therefore 
there is no potential for cumulative effects with the Aurora Project.  
Once installed, the Aurora Project will not have further impacts on noise, habitat disturbance 
and seabed dispersal, therefore having no potential for significant cumulative effects on an 
operational basis.  
4.16.3 SCREENING OUTCOMES 
Given the absence of other installation and construction activities which may overlap with 
installation of the Aurora Project, there are not expected to be any cumulative effects of noise, 
seabed habitat and sediment disturbance. Due to the small area of seabed being affected by 
the Aurora Project and the anticipated rapid recovery, the Aurora Project is not expected to 
have any cumulative effects when considering other proposed projects in the area.  
Therefore, No Significant Effects are expected from the Aurora Project, cumulatively with 
other projects in the region. 
4.17 DESIGNATED SITES FOR NATURE CONSERVATION: NATURA 2000 
SITES 
The Birds and Habitats Directives together form the cornerstones of EU biodiversity policy. The 
Birds Directive (Council Directive 2009/147/EC) protects birds and their habitats, including 

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through designation of SPA. The Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC) protects 
habitats through the designation of Sites of Community Importance (SCI) and SAC. Together 
with Ramsar sites, SPAs, SCIs and SACs form the Natura 2000 network, and for the purposes 
of this report, form consideration of nature conservation sites. 
This first step of a Natura 2000 assessment is a Natura 2000 screening, which identifies the 
potential effects of a project on a Natura 2000 site(s), either alone or in combination with 
other projects or plans and considers whether these effects are likely to be significant. If 
significant effects are likely or some degree of uncertainty remains, further appropriate 
assessment should be carried out. 
The subsea cable landing site occurs close to (but not overlapping with) the Ringkøbing Fjord 
SPA / Ramsar and the Ringkøbing Fjord og Nymindestrømmen SAC (Figure 4-6). An existing 
HDD duct and BMH will be utilised for the Aurora Project to minimise potential impacts from 
installation activities on the Ringkøbing Fjord og Nymindestrømmen SAC. 
4.17.1 RINGKØBING FJORD SPECIAL PROTECTION AREA / RAMSAR 
Ringkøbing Fjord SPA / Ramsar is an internationally important area for breeding, overwintering 
and staging for 37 species of waterbirds. The proposed landing site is located at the barrier 
beach in front of the site. Classified populations will be exposed to noise and light during 
operations which may disturb breeding and non-breeding populations, particularly those that 
may nest within the dune systems. Installation works may also impact behaviour of species 
that forage at sea. 
Considering the magnitude of the proposed Aurora Project and associated installation impacts, 
and also set in the context of the existing HDD duct and BMH, and associated installation, it is 
determined that there will be no Likely Significant Effect (LSE) for the classified populations 
and supporting habitat features of the Ringkøbing Fjord SPA / Ramsar.  
4.17.2 RINGKØBING FJORD OG NYMINDESTRØMMEN SPECIAL AREA OF 
CONSERVATION 
The Ringkøbing Fjord og Nymindestrømmen SAC contains 20 coastal / marine habitat and six 
(6) marine species features. The proposed landing site is connected to the BMH via an existing 
HDD duct within an area crossed by established paths and associated recreational use. Setting 
in the context of the proposed Aurora Project’s installation activities, it can be shown that the 
subsea cable laying installation works at the landing site will not impact the dunes feature of 
the site. The same conclusion is determined for the Annex II population of Eurasian otter 
(Lutra lutra). It is determined that there will be no LSE for the designated Annex I habitat 
features and Annex II populations of the Ringkøbing Fjord og Nymindestrømmen SAC. 
4.18 TRANSBOUNDARY IMPACTS 
Transboundary impacts occur when an impact extends into other Exclusive European Area 
States. The Aurora Project passes through, the UK, Norwegian and Danish Exclusive European 
Area States. This section of the application relates exclusively to transboundary impacts as a 
result of the Danish segment of the Aurora Project. Transboundary impacts as a result of the 
Norwegian and UK segments of the Aurora Project will be assessed as appropriate within 
separate applications to the respective national authorities. 

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No Significant Effects are predicted for the activities and impacts associated with the Aurora 
Project within the Danish TS. Therefore, it is considered that the Aurora Project will not result 
in significant effects inside or outside of the Danish Exclusive European Area State. As such, 
No Significant Transboundary Impacts are identified. 

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5. 
CONCLUSION 
This EIA Screening Report for the Aurora Project in Denmark has been conducted in 
accordance with the requirements of the EIA Act (LBK no 4 of 03/01/2023). 
This report aimed to screen for any potential significant environmental effects to inform 
decision-making and environmental accountability, and to assist in achieving environmentally 
sound installation works throughout the life cycle of the Aurora Project. Consistent with the 
national regulatory standards, the environmental status of the Aurora Project’s AoI has been 
carefully reviewed using universally accepted methodologies.  
Generally, the subsea cable installation activities for the Aurora Project result in temporary and 
localised impacts. The footprint of impact is narrow, generally restricted to a corridor of a few 
metres width along the subsea cable route.  The method of installation; whereby a towed sea 
plough lifts the sediment, installs the cable and reburies it in a single operation; is designed to 
minimise the level of disturbance and the area of potential impact. Once installed, the Aurora 
Project will be buried below the seabed wherever conditions allow, therefore, having no 
potential pathways for effect on many of the receptors. 
Given the benign nature of subsea fibre optic cables once installed, the operation of subsea 
cables does not have any significant ongoing environmental effects. Potential decommissioning 
options will be reviewed closer to the end of the planned 25 year operational life; however 
given the subsea cable will either be left in situ or removed for re-use, recycling or disposal, 
the potential effects of decommissioning will be similar in nature to installation, but on a 
smaller scale. 
Section 5.1 provides a list of embedded mitigation measures for the duration of the Aurora 
Project installation, together with any additional mitigation measures specified as the basis for 
this screening assessment. With the embedded controls and specified mitigation measures in 
place, the Aurora Project has no potential for significant effects on the surrounding physical, 
biological and human environment, therefore, the Aurora Project can be screened out of 
requiring further consideration and assessment in an EIA.  
5.1 MITIGATION MEASURES 
A number of embedded / inbuilt control measures have been incorporated into the Aurora 
Project design to avoid and minimise effects on these receptors, including the careful routing of 
the subsea cable to avoid or minimise interaction with sensitive receptors. Additional mitigation 
measures are also specified below where they have been built into the screening assessment. 
The following mitigation measures have been taken into consideration for this EIA Screening 
Report of the Aurora Project: 
• 
Avoidance of protected and sensitive areas e.g. Natura 2000 sites and use of existing 
infrastructure wherever feasible, such as re-use of the existing HDD duct and BMH to 
minimise potential effects to coastal areas; 
• 
Avoidance of areas with existing or planned infrastructure, e.g. offshore windfarms, 
existing raw material extraction areas and military areas; 
The following mitigation measures are planned during the installation phase; 

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• 
The Aurora Project will, in conjunction with the relevant installation contractors, provide 
the locations of the installation vessel and the size of the requested safety exclusion zones 
through NtMs to increase awareness of the vessel traffic associated with the Aurora 
Project; 
• 
Micro-routing will be performed around identified wrecks, munitions and seabed anomalies 
based on the results of the CRS; 
• 
The Aurora Project will maintain regular contact and coordinate with the appropriate 
authorities to minimise the risk of conflict between military activities and the installation 
vessel; 
• 
The Aurora Project will implement a series of monitoring and “watching-brief” management 
measures during the onshore installation works at the existing HDD duct entry point 
(landward) to the BMH, noting that the re-use of existing infrastructure means that the 
potential area of disturbance is small (approximately 29 m) and the onshore operations will 
therefore be short term and over a limited area; 
• 
To mitigate the UXO risk, the Aurora Project has engaged with the Danish Ministry of 
Defence on UXO specific requirements, and will prepare a UXO Awareness document which 
will be shared with all contractors and personnel involved in the subsea cable SEL 
activities. This document describes what types of mines have been used in this area and 
what to do in case one is encountered (recognise, retreat and report); 
• 
To mitigate the shipping and navigational risk, the Aurora Project has included a Risk 
Assessment as part of the Establishment Permit application to aid DCA’s consultation with 
DMA on the Aurora Project’s activities; 
• 
Given the proximity of the landing area to the Natura 2000 designated Ringkøbing Fjord 
coastal site and the potential presence of protected species, the following additional 
mitigation measures are recommended during installation activity: 
° 
Prior to onshore works, a pre-installation visual survey should be undertaken for the 
presence of otter holts in the immediate area, with clear demarcation of work areas 
and control of vehicle movements; and 
° 
Should onshore installation take place during tern breeding season, a pre-installation 
visual survey for presence of tern nests should be undertaken, with clear demarcation 
of work areas and control of vehicle movements. 
With the application of these mitigation measures, in particular the constraints-based route 
engineering of the subsea cable route and re-use of existing infrastructure, as well as the 
application of additional mitigation where appropriate, it is considered that the potential 
environmental and social impacts of the Aurora Project will generally be localised and short 
term, with no potentially significant effects identified. On this basis, and in alignment with the 
regulatory framework in Denmark, it is recommended that the Aurora Project is screened out 
of requiring further consideration and assessment through an EIA.

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CLIENT: ASN 
 
PROJECT NO: 0715845 
DATE: 30 January 2025 
VERSION: 01 
Page 111 
and Hiddink, J.G., 2019. Distribution maps of cetacean and seabird populations in the 
North-East Atlantic. Journal of Applied Ecology, 57: pp. 253– 269. doi: 
https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13525 
Wernham, C., Toms, M., Marchant, J., Clark, J., Siriwardena, G., and Baillie, S., 2002. The 
Migration Atlas: Movements of the Bird of Britain and Ireland.  
Westerdahl, C., 1992, The maritime cultural landscape. International Journal of Nautical 
Archaeology, 21: pp. 5-14. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-9270.1992.tb00336.x 
Woodward, I., Thaxter, CB., Owen, E., and Cook, A.S.C.P., 2019. Desk based revision of seabird 
foraging ranges used for HRA screening. The British Trust for Ornithology, Thetford, 
BTO Report No. 724, p. 139 
 

 
 
ANNEX 1 
AS-BUILT HDD DUCT DESIGN AND 
DIMENSIONS 


 
 
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ERM UK 
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Management Ltd 
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Exchequer Court 
33 St Mary Axe 
London 
EC3A 8AA 
United Kingdom 
 
T: +[telefon] 5200 
F: +[telefon] 5440 
 
www.erm.com 
 
 



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ndertegnede ejer meddeler hermed på egne og efterfølgende ejeres vegne Teha Net ret til på
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kader på ledningsanlæg, dræn og hegn. Udgifterne ved udbedring af skader, som først kommer
or dagen på et senere tidspunkt, erstattes ligeledes, såfremt skaderne er forvoldt ved kablernes
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der kan være fare for en beskadigelse af kablerne, skal arbejdet anmeldes til Telia Net senest 8
dage, før det påbegyndes. Telia Net vil så for egen regning træffe de nødvendige foranstaltninger
til sikring af kablerne.
Telia Net kan for egen regning lade denne deklaration tinglyse som servitut på den førnævnte mig
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PåtaleberettigeterTelia [adresse], [postnr by]

Med hensyn til de ejendommene påhvilende pantehæftelser, servitutter og andre byrder henvises
til ejendommens blade i tingbogen. Deklarationen respekterer uden yderilgere samtykke alle
kommende pantehæftelser samt kommende servitutter, hvis udøvelse ikke er til hinder for den
Telia Net tillagte ret.
Miljø- og Energimiatsteriet
Oxbøl Statsskovdistrikt
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