Enefit Green’s Liivi Bay offshore wind farm has undergone an environmental impact assessment (EIA), showing no significant negative effects on the environment and boosting labour market activity and municipal revenues with proper mitigation measures, according to an expert group from Skepast and Puhkim.
The team from Skepast and Puhkim analysed the environmental impact of three different alternatives that differed in the number and capacity of the turbines.
According to Veronika Verš, the lead expert at Skepast and Puhkim, the report confirms that with the application of mitigation measures, the Liivi Bay offshore wind farm does not significantly negatively impact the environment.
“The impact was assessed by over 45 professionals from both Estonia and abroad. In addition to thorough environmental studies, socio-economic and visual impacts, noise, and vibration effects were evaluated,” said Verš .
“A wind farm consisting of turbines with higher unit capacity but fewer in number should be preferred.”
The Liivi Bay offshore wind farm is planned to consist of up to 84 turbines with a total capacity of 1 GW, with an annual electricity production of up to 4 TWh.
Johann-Gustav Lend, head of offshore wind energy at Enefit Green, noted that the project would cover half of Estonia’s current electricity consumption and boost economic development.
The offshore wind farm would create approximately 260 construction-phase jobs and 100 long-term stable jobs in Pärnu County. Additionally, local municipalities in the vicinity would benefit, with the amount of compensation depending on the electricity price. For example, at an electricity price of EUR 50/MWh, the compensation would be over EUR 700,000 per year, said Enefit Green.
“At the same time, it should be noted that this is a large investment, and its realization requires the existence of price certainty mechanisms for electricity, as financing such a farm solely on a market basis is not possible,” said Lend .
The report has been submitted to the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority (TTJA). After review, TTJA will publish the report and announce the time for a public discussion.
The Liivi Bay offshore wind farm is planned to be built in the Gulf of Riga, eleven kilometres from Kihnu Island and 16 kilometres from Häädemeeste.
The expected construction period for the offshore wind farm is 2028–2030.
In September, TTJA initiated the permitting process for an offshore wind project in the Gulf of Riga, developed by Liivi Offshore, a project company owned by Enefit Green.
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