The National Energy Regulatory Council (NERC) in Lithuania has initiated its second tender to select a developer for a 700 MW offshore wind farm in the Baltic Sea. Interested parties must submit their applications by April 14, 2024. Concurrently, substantial preparatory work is underway at the Port of Klaipėda, where an offshore wind installation terminal is being constructed to facilitate the development of two Lithuanian wind farms and other Baltic Sea projects.
In this second tendering process, the chosen developer has the option to propose developing the wind farm with or without state support, as well as compete for the level of support sought for the electricity produced. The European Commission has approved a potential state support scheme of EUR 193 million. NERC has set both a maximum and minimum price at which the developer commits to selling the generated electricity in the market.
The selected developer is mandated to contribute at least EUR 5 million to environmental protection in the Lithuanian maritime area. Following the construction of the offshore wind farm, an annual contribution (EUR 1 per 1 MWh of electricity generated) to communities bordering the farm will be required, estimated at around EUR 3 million per year. The designated area in the Baltic Sea for the wind farm covers approximately 136 km2, situated around 30 kilometers off the coast.
As part of Lithuania’s strategy to achieve energy independence by 2030, the Ministry of Energy plans to establish two offshore wind farms with a combined capacity of 1.4 GW. This initiative aims to generate approximately 6 TWh of green electricity annually, meeting half of the country’s current electricity demand. To support the increasing demand for wind turbine assembly, loading, and servicing, the Port of Klaipėda is investing in necessary infrastructure, including the reconstruction of quays at the Smeltė peninsula with a planned area of 21 ha.
Image source: https://portofklaipeda.lt/en/naujienos/the-second-offshore-wind-farm-tender-in-lithuania-was-launched-klaipeda-port-is-designing-offshore-wind-installation-quays/