Consultancy Ramboll has been contracted by Enefit Green to prepare a preliminary design for the 1100MW Hiiu offshore wind farm planned to be built north of the island of Hiiumaa off Estonia.
The technical analysis of the wind farm is expected to be completed in August this year.
Ramboll will analyse alternative turbine options, as well as substation and connection cable solutions for Hiiu.
The design also includes specifying the possibilities and needs of nearby ports during construction and maintenance.
It will also provide input in terms of technical solutions to the ongoing environmental impact assessment (EIA).
Enefit Green offshore wind development manager Karmo Korvek said the preliminary design plan will give a more detailed overview of what the Hiiu offshore farm could be like.
Korvek said: “The design will not provide definitive answers, but proposes solutions that are both technically and environmentally sound.
“This information is important for the developer, the authorities as well as potential partners among entrepreneurs.”
Ramboll project development and advisory services lead for offshore wind in the Baltics Mariusz Wojcik said: “We are excited to be supporting Enefit Green in the development of this project and we have put together a dedicated and experienced international team to contribute to the success of the project.
“We are confident that the project will be an important step towards energy transition not only in Estonia but also for the Baltic States and the whole Europe.”
Korvek added that the ongoing environmental impact assessment of Hiiu offshore wind farm is also analysing different turbine types.
He said: “Hiiu would be in construction phase by 2030, therefore it is important for all research and analysis to be based on the newest possible technology.
“Developing an offshore wind farm takes a long time but is also a very strong step on our journey to zero, as the production of even one offshore wind farm would cover half of Estonia’s electricity consumption.”
Hiiu or Loode-Eesti will be located about 12km north of Hiiumaa.
Work on the project was started in 2006 by Nelja Energia.
In 2010 the EIA programme was approved.
Enefit Green said work on the EIA is currently near completion.