Lithuania’s Ministry of Energy is preparing to announce a tender to develop an offshore wind farm.
The ministry submitted drafts of the government’s resolutions for public consultation, covering the location in the Baltic Sea where a 700MW offshore wind farm would be developed, as well as the requirements for the bidders.
Under the plan, the offshore wind farm will be developed around 36km from the shore and installed by 2028, providing up to a quarter of Lithuania’s total electricity demand.
The proposed resolution comes with requirements for participants’ financial capacity, experience in carrying out projects of this type, obligations to contribute to environmental protection and the well-being of the coastal community.
The developer will have to carry out all necessary research, environmental impact assessment and other necessary actions for the development of the park. Also, the winner of the tender will be responsible for connecting the project to the electricity transmission networks on land and for the imbalance caused by the generated electricity.
After the government adopts the resolutions on March 30 the State Energy Regulatory Council (VERT) should announce a tender to select the developer of this park.
The tender is expected to be won by the developer who offers the highest development fee to the state.
Another tender for the development of the offshore wind park is planned to be announced in the autumn of this year. Both offshore wind farms would provide approximately half of Lithuania’s current electricity demand.
“This is undoubtedly one of the most important projects in terms of strengthening energy independence. It will directly reduce the volume of electricity imports and create an opportunity to produce local cheaper green electricity,” said Deputy Minister of Energy Daiva Garbaliauskaite.
“Due to the efficiency, the production of electricity from offshore wind has a greater potential than on land, so we must use this opportunity.”