RWE has joined forces with leading Lithuanian educational institutions to accelerate the development of offshore wind energy in the Baltic Sea, based on education, research and knowledge transfer. Corresponding Letters of Intent (LoI) were signed with Klaipeda University, Lithuanian Maritime Academy, Klaipeda State University of Applied Sciences and the Klaipeda Paulius Lindenau Training Center.
Signing ceremony; source: RWE
“Offshore wind is key to meeting the increasing demand for renewable power and creates new, future-proof jobs. The strong interconnection between the Baltic countries and their neighbouring Nordic and Western regions opens up opportunities for energy export. So the Baltic Sea could become a future power hub in Europe. At RWE, we want to help make that happen,” said Andreas Hammar, Vice President Offshore Wind Development Services Nordics, Baltics, & Poland at RWE Renewables during yesterday’s signing ceremony.
The Baltic States have ambitious climate targets and offshore wind expansion is often at the core of these plans. Lithuania has announced its first central offshore wind tender for a wind farm of up to 700 megawatts by the end of 2023. For the Baltic Sea as a whole, a target of 20 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity by 2030 has been set.
“To deliver the ambitious offshore build-out targets in the Baltic Sea, a variety of qualified personnel will be needed – during development, construction and operation. Together with the four leading educational institutes we are laying the foundation today for the future success of offshore wind in Lithuania and the wider Baltic region,” added Anu Eslas, Vice President Offshore Development Baltic States at RWE Renewables.
It is planned to share knowledge and expertise and to identify opportunities for joint research in the field of offshore wind energy. Educational programmes are to be set-up to teach the knowledge and competencies required to work in the offshore wind sector.
Source: RWE
