Today, the Estonian Government confirmed the location of the ELWIND joint Estonian-Latvian offshore wind energy project in the Estonian maritime area. Based on studies and analyses, the most suitable development area for the joint project in Estonian waters is the sea area west of the Sõrve peninsula.
“Estonia’s offshore wind energy is an untapped potential in the context of the green revolution, more reasonable energy prices and our energy security. Therefore, I am pleased that, after thorough analyses, we have again taken a step forward and selected a suitable location for the establishment of an Estonian-Latvian offshore wind farm,” said Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure Riina Sikkut.
“In the course of the preliminary study commissioned by the neighbouring countries on the selection of a location for the offshore wind farm, different sea areas were analysed to find the most suitable site for the wind farm in the Estonian-Latvian sea area. The sea area west of the Sõrve peninsula was selected because of its better wind and ice conditions compared to other areas, and because it is far from known migratory bird flyways, seals and other aquatic habitats,” said Sikkut, explaining the choice of location.
The ELWIND project plans to build a total of 700-1000 MW of offshore wind capacity in the Estonian and Latvian maritime area. The countries will carry out the necessary preparatory work on the sites, after which the building permits will be auctioned. In mid-September, the Latvian state announced that a wind farm site is located in the Latvian maritime area in the Kurzeme region, between Liepaja and Ventspils, away from the coast.
With this project, Estonia and Latvia want to help accelerate the green turnaround by encouraging the market uptake of renewable energy. This in turn will help stabilise and make more affordable electricity prices across the region, increase national security of supply and strengthen energy security.
As the next step of the project in Estonia, the Environmental Investment Centre will submit an application to the Consumer Protection and Technical Surveillance Authority (TTJA) for a building permit for the joint project in the Estonian maritime area. With the building permit procedure, the TTJA will initiate an environmental impact assessment, during which KIK will commission the necessary studies.
ELWIND will be implemented by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, the Latvian Ministry of Economy, the Environmental Investment Centre, the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia and the Latvian Transmission System Operator Augstsprieguma tīkls (AST).
Source: Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, Republic of Estonia https://mkm.ee/uudised/selgus-eesti-lati-meretuulepargi-uhisprojekti-asukoht
