Lithuania Receives Two Bids in Country’s First Offshore Wind Auction

Authorities

May 31, 2023, by Adnan Memija

Lithuania’s first offshore wind auction has concluded, with two bidders submitting offers, announced the National Energy Regulatory Council (VERT) yesterday.

The auction started on 31 March and was open until 29 May.

The 137.5-square-kilometre site in the Baltic Sea, which the Lithuanian Government identified two years ago, is located some 29 kilometres off the country’s coast, in water depth of around 35 metres.

The country’s first subsidy-free offshore wind farm is planned to have a capacity of 700 MW and is expected to be fully operational by 2030.

The Lithuanian Government outlined the financial requirements for the participants, experience in carrying out projects of this type, obligations for environmental protection, and contribution to the coastal community.

These requirements will be included in the auction conditions for future offshore wind farm developers.

The two submitted offers will now be assessed and if both participants meet the qualification requirements, the winner will be decided based on who offers the highest development fee to the state.

The winner is planned to be announced at the beginning of September.

Lithuania also plans to hold another offshore wind auction in the fall of this year, also offering a 700 MW project which could produce its first power as early as 2028.