Estonia clears EIA plan for 1.2-GW offshore wind project

The environmental impact assessment (EIA) plan for a 1.2-GW offshore wind project in Estonia has received the green light from local regulators, developer Utilitas Wind said last week.

The approval was granted by the country’s Consumer Protection and Technical Supervision Agency (TTJA). While typically it gives the start of pre-feed environmental surveys, the specific studies were initiated a year ago and the initial findings are already available. The step has significantly shortened the development schedule, Utilitas noted.

The Saare-Liivi offshore wind farm is planned to be installed 10 km (6.2 miles) off Kihnu island, in the Gulf of Riga, within a site designated as suitable for offshore wind deployment. It will be equipped with around 80 turbine generators that are expected to produce more than 5 TWh of electricity annually.

Provided that the planning process goes smoothly, power generation from the complex is seen to be launched in 2028.

Utilitas, Estonia’s largest renewable power producer, obtained a building permit for Saare-Liivi at the end of 2021. Its superficies licence enables it to produce power and hydrogen from offshore wind energy.

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