Vilnius, May 14 - Neftegaz.RU. Lithuania’s Ministry of Energy has submitted a draft Government Resolution to stakeholders for coordination on locations in the Baltic Sea suitable for offshore wind farms.
Proposals were also submitted regarding the capacities of the wind farms which could potentially meet a quarter of Lithuania’s electricity demand.
The draft Government Resolution proposes the construction of a wind farm with a capacity of up to 700 MW. A wind farm of this capacity in the Baltic Sea would produce approximately 2.5-3 TWh of electricity per year, which is 25 % of the country’s current electricity demand, the ministry said.
The resolution also provides the exact area in the Baltic Sea where the development of wind turbines would be the most efficient. The territory planned in the Baltic Sea covers an area of 137.5 km2, with a distance from shore of approximately 29 km, an average water depth of 35 metres, and an average wind speed of approximately 9 m/s.
Lithuania plans to announce the first auctions for offshore wind in 2023. The power plants should be built and start generating electricity by 2030.
“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,” said Estonia’s Minister of Energy Žygimantas Vaičiūnas.
”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.”
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Lithuania opens with 700 MW offshore wind pitch