RWE and Latvenergo, one of the largest electricity suppliers in the Baltic States, have joined forces to develop, construct and operate offshore wind farms off the coast of Latvia.
The two companies signed a framework agreement on September 16, in a bid to support the expansion of offshore wind energy and strengthen Latvia’s energy independence.
In a statement, the companies said they will combine their experience in the development, efficient implementation and safe operation of offshore wind farms with comprehensive knowledge of the Latvian energy market and electricity supply in the Baltic States.
Latvia aims to increase its wind capacity from currently around 70MW to 800 MW by 2030, as part of its National Energy and Climate Plan.
The country is also planning a tender for “ELWIND”, a cross-border offshore project with up to 1 GW capacity in cooperation with Estonia.
Sven Utermöhlen, CEO Offshore Wind at RWE Renewables said: “Offshore wind energy is the key to meeting the increasing demand for green electricity in Europe, supporting local industry and creating new, future-proof jobs.”
Utermöhlen added that along with Latvenergo, RWE wants to help achieve Latvia’s offshore wind targets – “hand in hand with local communities and local supply chains”.
“As RWE, we bring more than 20 years of experience and technical know-how in the offshore industry to this partnership,” he said.
Mārtiņš Čakste, Chairman and CEO of Latvenergo, said that the wind off the Latvian coast is a “national treasure with untapped potential”.
“In the future, it will undoubtedly increase the energy independence of Latvia and its neighbouring countries and enable the export of electricity to the growing European electricity market.
Čakste said that Latvenergo has over 80 years of experience in the field of renewable energies, as evidenced by their generation portfolio of hydropower plants as well as onshore wind and solar projects.
“By effectively using the power of The Daugava water, solar energy and wind power on land and at sea, Latvia will have its own independent electricity supply in all weather conditions and at lower prices,” Čakste said.
RWE operates 18 offshore wind farms in five countries – including Kårehamn (48 MW) off the Swedish coast, the Danish offshore wind farm Rødsand 2 (207 MW, RWE share: 20%) and Arkona, with 385 MW one of the largest offshore wind farms in the German Baltic Sea (RWE share: 50%).
In addition, RWE says it is well advanced with the development of its 350 MW F.E.W. Baltic II wind farm off the Polish coast and is pushing ahead with the development of the 1.6 GW Södra Victoria project off the Swedish coast.
By 2030, RWE aims to expand its global offshore wind capacity from the current 3 GW to 8 GW (this capacity represents only RWE’s share).