Danish energy giant Orsted is set to reduce its global workforce by approximately 2,000 positions by the end of 2027 as part of its updated business plan and strategic priorities. The company aims to focus more on offshore wind and European markets while enhancing competitiveness across its operations.
Rasmus Errboe, CEO of Orsted, in a news statement, said: “From now until 2027, we’ll be saying goodbye to many skilled and valued colleagues. This is a necessary consequence of our decision to focus our business and finalise our large construction portfolio. At the same time, we aim to create a more efficient, flexible, and competitive Orsted, ready to bid on new value-accretive offshore wind projects.”
Currently employing around 8,000 people globally, Orsted expects its workforce to decrease to about 6,000 employees by 2027. The rightsizing process will occur through natural attrition, reduction of positions, divestment, outsourcing, and redundancies. In Q4 2025, the company plans to make approximately 500 employees redundant, including 235 in Denmark.
Orsted remains committed to finalising its 8.1 GW construction portfolio across three continents, the largest in the company’s history. Rasmus Errboe emphasized that completing these wind power projects will help Orsted become a more financially robust, focused, and competitive company, while continuing to rely on the expertise of its skilled workforce.
The company’s strategic refocus includes strengthening its geographical and technological priorities, concentrating on offshore wind in Europe and selected Asia-Pacific markets, while maintaining efficient operations of Danish combined heat and power plants. Orsted anticipates that the efficiency measures will yield annual cost savings of approximately DKK 2 billion from 2028, which have been incorporated into the updated business plan.
These moves position Orsted to maintain its leadership in offshore wind, contribute to Europe’s green transition, and reinforce its long-term competitiveness in the global energy sector.
Orsted reported a strong first half of 2025, with operating profit (EBITDA) of DKK 15.5 billion, up from DKK 14.1 billion in H1 2024. EBITDA excluding new partnerships and cancellation fees rose 9 percent to DKK 13.9 billion. Offshore earnings reached DKK 12.5 billion, boosted by Gode Wind 3 ramp-up, grid delay compensations at Borkum Riffgrund 3, and higher availability, partially offset by lower wind speeds.
Profit for the period surged to DKK 8.2 billion from DKK 0.9 billion in H1 2024. ROCE stood at 7.5 percent, or 12.3 percent when adjusted for impairments and cancellation fees. Orsted maintains full-year EBITDA guidance of DKK 25–28 billion and gross investment guidance of DKK 50–54 billion, while offshore directional guidance is revised from “Higher” to “Neutral.”
Faheema P