December 30, 2019, by Adnan Durakovic

The Estonian government has initiated a construction permit procedure for Eesti Energia’s 1GW offshore wind project in the Gulf of Riga.

The move allows the developer to continue its research and search for partners for the construction of the offshore wind farm, Enefit Green, a member of Eesti Energia group said.

According to Aavo Kärmas, CEO of Enefit Green, 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.

“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 partners to cooperate,” said Kärmas.

As reported earlier, the representatives from the Latvian and the estonian government met earlier this month to discuss potential cooperation on an offshore wind project in the Gulf of Riga.

“Given the cross-border nature of potential cooperation, the importance of cooperation 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 here. We hope to continue the very good cooperation in this regard,” said Kärmas.

Eesti Energia started planning the Gulf of Riga wind farm in 2009, and over the course of time primary wind measurements, seabed, ice, and bird surveys have already been carried out.

Up to 160 wind turbines with a total capacity of 1,000MW are planned for the offshore wind farm. The production of such an offshore wind farm would cover almost half of Estonia’s electricity needs, Enefit Green said.

The wind farm is expected to be completed before 2030.