The National Energy Regulatory Council (NERC) has launched a second tender to select a developer for an offshore wind farm in Lithuania’s territorial waters of the Baltic Sea. Tenderers have until 14 April 2024 to submit their applications and documents to NERC.
"Lithuania is rapidly increasing its domestic electricity generation, with electricity production growing from 30% to almost 50% in the last few years. The planned two offshore wind farms will provide half of Lithuania's current electricity consumption and will allow it to be self-sufficient in electricity from domestic sources and eliminate its dependence on electricity imports. These are Lithuania's strategic goals, which determine the country's national security, people's confidence in the state, the price of energy resources for our population and the international competitiveness of our exporting business," said Dainius Kreivys, Minister of Energy.
According to Mr Kreivys, the importance of generating our own electricity was also demonstrated by the electricity price hike on 5 January, which is why the Ministry of Energy continues to make consistent efforts to ensure that electricity prices are affordable for our citizens.
Under the terms of the tendering procedure, the developer will be able to offer to develop the farm with or without state support, as well as compete for the amount of support requested: for all or part of the energy produced. The European Commission has also approved a scheme for possible state support. NERC has already set a maximum and minimum price at which the developer would commit to sell the electricity generated on the market.
The successful tenderer will be required to contribute at least EUR 5 million for environmental protection in the Lithuanian maritime area. Once the offshore wind farm is built, the developer will be obliged to make an annual contribution (EUR 1 per 1 MWh of electricity generated) to the coastal communities. Preliminary estimates suggest that this could amount to around EUR 3 million per year.
The area of the Baltic Sea designated for the farm is about 136 km2. It will be about 30 kilometres from the coast.
The Ministry of Energy has been organising preparatory works for the second offshore wind farm tender. A development plan for the offshore area for the development of renewable energy facilities has already been approved, a development plan for the connection of the wind farms to the onshore grid is being prepared, an environmental impact assessment report for the offshore wind farm has been approved, bottom geophysical and geotechnical surveys have been carried out in the offshore area for the development of the wind farm, and the wind speeds and other hydrometeorological parameters have been measured.
To reduce Lithuania’s dependence on electricity imports and to achieve full self-sufficiency in domestic renewable electricity by 2030, the Ministry of Energy is planning two offshore wind farms with a combined capacity of 1.4 GW in the Baltic Sea in the territory of Lithuania. These farms could generate around 6 TWh of green electricity per year, which is around half of current electricity demand of Lithuania.
Preparatory works for offshore wind farm development and related infrastructure No. 03-004-P-0001
