Estonian Latvian joint hybrid offshore wind project - ELWIND

ongoing

This action is part of the ELWIND project “2022-05 - ELWIND” which received the status as cross-border renewable energy project (CB RES status) in 2022. ELWIND is a joint Estonian-Latvian state-run cross-border offshore wind project aiming to raise energy independence in the region by increasing production of green energy and improving transnational electricity connectivity. Currently, Estonia and Latvia do not have sufficient energy production to cover their own needs. As fossil fuel-based energy production is being phased out, there is a practical need to invest into renewable energy production. Both countries together have more than 20 GW offshore energy potential, that exceeds the Estonian and Latvian electricity needs. Despite this potential, there is currently no offshore wind parks in operation or under construction. Geopolitical energy market disruptions, resulting from the Russian aggression against Ukraine, have increased the urgency to act now. With the ELWIND project, the states organise the necessary preparatory work in the form of planning, studies, and permitting for the offshore areas. The permits and conditions for connecting to the grid will subsequently be auctioned. This will offer greater certainty to private developers that the wind parks can be built on indicated areas, as several risks have already been mitigated. The Estonian and Latvian states are therefore responsible for making sure that all necessary pre-development activities will be carried out to maintain the project's attractiveness and hold a successful auction. The size of the project is 1000 MW, aiming for an annual renewable electricity output of about 3.5-3.9 TWh. The project’s concept is to build two offshore wind parks, one in Estonian and one in Latvian waters. The final capacity of each wind park will be decided after relevant network configuration and feasibility studies are completed. The Estonian ELWIND wind park area is located ca 10 km west from the coast of Saaremaa and the Latvian ELWIND area is located ca 15 km west of the coast of Kurzeme region. Both wind park areas are within the offshore wind energy development areas defined in the countries' Maritime Spatial Plannings (MSP) and have a size of ca 200 km2. This action “2022-05-EU-S-M-22-ELWIND’ is being implemented by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia and the Environmental Investment Centre in Estonia. It envisions carrying out the pre-development activities of the joint offshore wind project, making sure that all necessary studies are done to receive permits for producing offshore wind energy. The action contains feasibility studies, environmental studies, site data studies and technical design. The feasibility studies will identify the most appropriate route of the interconnector and grid. The environmental studies will assess the possible impact on the environment and appropriate measures to mitigate any environmental, social and economic risks. The Environmental Impact Assessment final report must be approved by the Competent Authority. The site data studies will investigate the physical conditions of the wind farm areas and their seabed for a safe installation of the offshore wind farms. The technical design studies will provide a technical concept and detailed engineering designs of the offshore wind farm, the grid connection and the interconnector. By its very nature, the ELWIND project strongly contributes to the promotion of cross-border cooperation in the field of planning, developing, and exploiting renewable energy sources with the aim of not only contributing to the Energy Union goals and Green Deal, but also doing it in a cost-effective way and benefitting into the regional investment climate.