On 31 March 2022, the Seimas of Lithuania adopted laws on offshore wind energy development in the Baltic Sea. As a result, they gave a green light for the construction of the first offshore wind farm in Lithuania, reports the Lithuanian Ministry of Energy.
It is now certain – the first RES auctions for an offshore wind farm in Lithuania will take place in the second half of 2023. The Ministry of Energy is currently consulting with potential developers of offshore wind parks
The adopted amendments to the RES and electricity act provide for an auction to be held next year for the benefit of a wind farm developer, making more specific technical conditions for the installation of a wind power plant, and rules for setting prices for energy produced in the future. The package of regulations will enter into force once signed by the President of Lithuania.
– The first wind farm in the Baltic Sea is one of the most important projects for Lithuania’s energy independence. This will significantly increase domestic electricity production from renewable energy sources and thus reduce Lithuania’s dependence on electricity imports, said the Minister of Energy, Dainius Kreivys.
The first energy from a wind farm in Lithuania will flow in 2028. It is estimated that a 700 MW offshore wind farm in the Baltic Sea could generate up to 2 TWh of carbon-free electricity annually. This would meet up to a quarter of Lithuania’s energy needs.
It is estimated that in total at least 4 offshore wind farms could be built on the Lithuanian coast. The capacity and timing of the remaining parks will depend on future studies and completion of infrastructure and other preparatory work. The Lithuanian government has already initiated proceedings related to, among other things, EIA as well as seabed and wind speed surveys.
