Lithuania has opened a consultation on a draft government resolution proposing the site of an up to 700MW offshore wind farm.
The area in the Baltic Sea covers 137.5 square kilometres about 29km from shore in water depths of 35 metres.
Wind speeds at the site are on average about nine metres a second, the energy ministry said.
Proposals were also submitted regarding the capacities of the power plants, which could meet one-quarter of Lithuania’s energy demand.
A 700MW project could produce approximately 2.5 to 3 terrawatt-hours of electricity per year, the ministry added.
Lithuania does not currently have legislation in place to support offshore wind and so the Ministry of Energy is tasked with preparing the necessary bills regulating a support scheme for the sector by 1 June.
Energy Minister Zygimantas Vaiciunas said: “Conditions for the development of onshore wind energy have already been created, and this is now another step forward – creating a favourable environment for wind energy in the Baltic Sea.
“Offshore wind will be a new and significant turning point in Lithuanian energy, as electricity generation from offshore wind is more efficient and has greater potential than onshore.
“Fierce competition will begin for investment in this area, and we need to be as well prepared as possible for this.”
The first auctions for offshore wind are planned to be announced in 2023.
Plants should be built and start generating electricity by 2030, the ministry said.


