The transmission system operators of Latvia and Estonia are to jointly examine possible options for grid connecting an up to 1GW offshore wind farm called Elwind, which the two Baltic countries are planning to build.
Latvia’s Augstsprieguma Tikls (AST) and Estonia’s Elering said preliminary cable routes to the planned wind farm development areas in the Gulf of Riga and on the west coast of Latvia and Estonia have already been identified.
They added that before making further decisions on the development of the link, more detailed research is needed involving an external consultant.
The duo said they plan to complete detailed studies by spring 2022, adding that the 700MW to 1GW project is due to be completed, including the necessary electricity transmission infrastructure, by 2030.
AST and Elering are responsible for the transmission infrastructure of Elwind to connect the project to the onshore grid.
They added that, because Elwind involves two countries, it may in future be eligible for regional status and receive EU co-financing from the Connecting Europe Facility of Renewable Energy Structural Funds, the conditions for which will be known after 2022.
AST Board member Gatis Junghan said: “Latvia is bound by the common commitment of the EU to achieve green goals and increase the share of renewable energy, and according to the National Energy and Climate Plan for 2030, the development of wind farms is one of the essential tools to fulfil it.
“Cooperation with the transmission system operator of the neighbouring country in the development of the joint offshore wind farm project connection will allow to create both cheaper and safer wind farm connection connecting the power systems of both countries, thus contributing to the achievement of both countries’ national climate goals.”