“Our ideas about a task force really came to fruition when we had an important case a few years ago with the sale of a large data centre site to Meta. We needed to get some things through the system quickly to get the site ready,” says Allan Leiberg, Head of Technical & Environmental Services at Esbjerg Municipality.
“When we discussed the matter, we agreed that it was a good idea to set up an effective steering group. Since then, we have developed the idea further, so that we now set up a tailor-made task force for cases where there is a need for it”.
When we discussed the matter, we agreed that it was a good idea to set up an effective steering group. Since then, we have developed the idea further, so that we now set up a tailor-made task force for cases where there is a need for it.
Allan Leiberg
Head of Technical & Environmental Services at Esbjerg Municipality
HOW IT WORKS?
The Task Force concept is designed to meet clients where they are in terms of pace, mindset, and approach. This is particularly important when a project has tight deadlines.
“We create a schedule and work backwards, allowing the customer to see their own delivery deadlines. This approach shows respect for their time and expectations, rather than simply promising to ‘look at it’.
By using a methodology, they are familiar with, we ensure clarity and mutual understanding,” says Uffe Lundgaard, Head of Investment and International Relations from Invest in Esbjerg.
For example, customers are often surprised – in a positive way – by the approach and level of knowledge of our Task Force model. It’s about everything from the overall ‘one-stop-shopping’ service to the very practical things like adapting to the client’s work routines – and perhaps different time zones.
Allan Leiberg explains that their setup allows for some parallel processes, which is a risk they take as one track may slow down while they make progress with the others.
By using a methodology, they are familiar with, we ensure clarity and mutual understanding.
Uffe Lundgaard
Head of Investment and International Relations at Invest in Esbjerg
“When we meet someone for the first time, we always tell them that our main task is to make it easy to invest in Esbjerg. We help with all the local conditions – and if you find something difficult and confusing, just get in touch with us,” says Mikal Kirk Simonsen, Business Consultant, Data & IT from Invest in Esbjerg.
The experience gained from the many large cases and the ongoing work with the Task Force is being used to continually develop both the service and the overall strategy, for example, tendering for new sites.
“When we meet someone for the first time, we always tell them that our main task is to make it easy to invest in Esbjerg”
Mikal Kirk Simonsen
Business Consultant, Data & IT from Invest in Esbjerg
This approach is especially suitable for complex cases that require independent environmental authorization and local planning. In such cases, a task force will be assembled with employees possessing the relevant competencies. The project manager responsible for convening resources and meeting participants in the Task Force is typically an employee in Area Development under Technology & Environment at Esbjerg Municipality.
Participants now only attend as needed, as the process no longer requires everyone to meet. The Task Force is exceptional in its ability to convene all relevant competences in a single meeting, enabling swift decision-making.
In order to intensify the collaboration on investment cases, Invest in Esbjerg has been given an office at the Esbjerg Townhall. Photo: Christer Holte.
Esbjerg supports the national energy agenda
“We have become more proactive, so we plan areas in advance and try to syncronise it with what is happening on the national agenda, for example with tenders for offshore wind and hydrogen infrastructure. Esbjerg has always had a big responsibility to support a national agenda, and we continue to show that we intend to do so,” says Allan Leiberg from Esbjerg municipality.
Closer collaboration
In order to intensify the collaboration on the many investment cases and task force work, Invest in Esbjerg has been given an office at the Esbjerg Townhall.
“This gives us the opportunity to work temporary at Esbjerg Municipality and at the same time have a closer dialogue with the municipality project managers who work with the task force cases and the development of the new business areas”, says Uffe Lundgaard from Invest in Esbjerg.
Esbjerg is a highly strategic digital hub for Northern Europe, attracting significant attention from potential investors. With its strong international fibre connections and stable supply of green power, it is an extremely attractive location for data centres. Therefore, data centre issues are a key focus for the Task Force.
“We receive enquiries in various ways, either through Invest in Denmark or our established network. The municipality has accumulated extensive experience in this area, and we typically have a good understanding of the required information in advance,” asserts Mikael Kirk Simonsen, Business Consultant responsible for data centres at Invest in Esbjerg.
“To expedite the process, we will move on to a more detailed discussion. Based on the complexity of the case, we will establish a task force if necessary”, Mikael Kirk Simonsen concludes.