KEYFACT Energy
The Government's decision to initiate the construction permit procedure for the Gulf of Riga offshore wind farm allows Eesti Energia to continue its research and search for partners for the construction of an offshore wind farm in the Gulf of Riga.
Image source: Enefit Green
According to Aavo Kärmas, CEO of Enefit Green, a member of the Eesti Energia group, it has been agreed in the Pärnu marine spatial plan that the building permit area is well suited for the development of wind energy. Wind, ice and bird surveys carried out so far by Eesti Energia have also shown that the location is suitable for the construction of an offshore wind farm.
“We thank the government for today's decision. The Gulf of Riga offshore wind farm has the potential to become the first joint Estonian-Latvian renewable energy production project, as the Latvian-developed wind farm development area is only 10 km away from the Gulf of Riga. There is no experience of building an offshore wind farm in Estonia, so it is logical that an offshore wind farm of this size will be made in cooperation with several companies. The doors are open for cooperation between partners, ”Kärmas said.
“Given the cross-border nature of potential co-operation, the importance of co-operation between the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications and its Latvian counterpart in agreeing on the infrastructure solution needed to develop the project should be emphasized. We hope to continue the excellent cooperation in this regard, ”said Kärmas.
Eesti Energia started planning the Gulf of Riga Gulf Park in 2009, and over the course of time primary wind measurements, seabed, ice and bird surveys have already been carried out. The process has been going on for almost 10 years since the launch of the Pärnu Marine Basin Plan in 2012, which was introduced in 2017.
An offshore wind farm is planned for up to 160 wind turbines with a total capacity of 1000 MW. The production of such an offshore wind farm would cover almost half of Estonia's electricity demand and is an important step towards achieving climate neutrality in 2050.
The wind farm is expected to be completed before 2030 and the project is in full cooperation with the local community, including Kihnu and Häädemeeste municipalities and residents.