On October 15, Lithuania’s energy ministry said that an environmental impact assessment (EIA) programme has been prepared for a wind power plant with a capacity of up to 700 MW. Now the relevant institutions have 10 days to submit comments and proposals.
The EIA programme is available here. Applications can be submitted within 10 working days of the publication date (from 15 October). This program is prepared to provide information about the offshore wind farm, its location, nature, capacity, potential environmental impacts and the expected content, scope and issues of the final EIA report.
The Ministry of Energy and the Coastal Research and Planning Institute (CORPI) have concluded an agreement on the implementation of the environmental impact assessment of offshore wind power plants to be built in Lithuanian waters of the Baltic Sea. The preparation of an EIA programme for a wind power plant of up to 700 MW is also envisioned. The body responsible for approving the scheme is the Lithuanian Environmental Protection Agency.
The Ministry recalls in the communication, that on 22 June 2020, the Government of the Republic of Lithuania adopted a resolution that defines the part of the Lithuanian marine territory for which a tender for the development and operation of wind power plants with a capacity of up to 700 MW should be organized. It is planned that tenders will be organised after all the necessary actions and studies have been carried out, such as the preparation of a special plan for the Lithuanian maritime area for the development of RES and including the measurement of wind speed and other parameters as well as seabed research.
One of the preparatory works to be carried out prior to a planned tender is an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Potential direct and indirect effects of planned wind farms on the environment and public health will be analysed. Alternatives and measures to mitigate or compensate for the identified environmental impacts will also be investigated. The environmental impact assessment will evaluate several offshore farm alternatives with different heights, installed capacities and locations. During the implementation of the EIA, particular attention will be paid to bird monitoring. The research process must cover two seasons – from summer to winter.
It is assumed that the planned offshore wind farm of up to 700 MW will consist of 43- 87 wind turbines of 8-16 MW capacity and 140-300 m height. The offshore wind farm installation is planned in the area approved by the resolution of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania in the Baltic Sea. The main features of the area are as follows: occupied area – 137.5 km2, average depth – 35 m, distance from Klaipeda seaport – from 38 km, average wind speed – approx. 9 m/s.
