Shell has officially joined the VindØ Consortium which aims to create an artificial energy island in the Danish North Sea that could deliver up to 10GW of offshore wind.

Last year the oil giant signed a Memorandum of Understanding signalling our intent to join the project.

Shell executive vice president for global renewable generation Thomas Brostrøm said: "It’s an exciting vision that could help transform the energy landscape in the North Sea, and Shell is keen to see how we can play a part in bringing it to life."

Copenhagen Infrastructure partner Thomas Dalsgaad added: "We and the other members of the VindØ consortium are excited to welcome Shell.

"Bringing decades of experience with large offshore infrastructure projects and strengths as a global energy company, the addition of Shell bolsters our consortium and our bid to construct Denmark's first energy island.

"Together the consortium looks forward to the initiation of the tendering process for the energy island and the publishing of the tender material from the Danish Energy Agency."

The other consortium partners are PensionDanmark and PFA - two of Denmark’s largest pension funds - and Andel, Denmark’s largest utility company, as well as Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners.

To develop the island, a partnership agreement has been signed with DEME, Boskalis, and MT Højgaard.