Latvia and Estonia advance offshore and onshore wind energy projects

The Latvian State Environmental Service (VVD) has issued an opinion regarding the Tume wind park project in Tukums municipality. Developed by SIA Ignis Res Dev2, part of the Ignitis Renewables Latvia group, the project is permitted to construct up to 25 wind turbines with a maximum capacity of 175 MW. The developer reduced the initial plan from 32 turbines to 25 to mitigate negative impacts on biodiversity and protected bird species. While 12 turbines have received Ministry of Defence approval, 13 others await authorization. Additionally, the developer must secure usage agreements for two municipal properties intended for turbine placement.

In Estonia, the Saare-Liivi wind park project is undergoing public consultation regarding its transboundary environmental impact assessment. The proposal includes an additional 57.1 square kilometer area near Kihnu island, which could accommodate up to 40 wind turbines with a combined capacity of 800 MW. When combined with the original project area, the Saare-Liivi park could potentially host up to 120 turbines with a total capacity of 2400 MW. The VVD notes that the development of the additional territory is not expected to cause significant adverse transboundary environmental effects.