Danish Orsted cuts a quarter of its workforce

Danish offshore wind energy development company Orsted, which is struggling in the United States, announced on Thursday, October 9, that it would cut some 2.000 jobs, or a quarter of its workforce, by 2027.

"We must reduce our costs related to the development, construction and operation of offshore wind farms in order to strengthen our competitiveness," said the group's CEO, Rasmus Errboe, in a press release.

On Monday, the group announced that it had raised $9,4 billion for its recapitalization, in response to its difficulties, particularly in the United States.

At the end of September, a US court authorized the resumption of work on Revolution Wind, a huge offshore project off the coast of New England, which was nearly completed but had been blocked a month earlier by the Donald Trump administration.

Orsted, 50,1% owned by the Danish state, has indicated its intention to focus its development on Europe and certain Asian markets. It currently has construction projects on three continents (America, Asia, and Europe).

"We are determined to maintain our position as market leader in offshore wind, and we must ensure that offshore wind becomes a key element of Europe's future energy mix and ecological transition," Errboe stressed.

The restructuring will include retirements, outsourcing, and layoffs. Around 500 employees are expected to be laid off in the fourth quarter of 2025, including around 235 in Denmark.

In September, the group announced that it was lowering its EBITDA forecast for 2025 due to weaker-than-expected winds and the delay of a project in Taiwan.

Its EBITDA target is now in the range of 24 to 27 billion Danish crowns, compared to 25 to 29 billion previously.