Lithuania ready with enviro plan for 700-MW offshore wind complex

The Lithuanian government has prepared an environmental impact assessment (EIA) programme related to a plan to deploy up to 700 MW of offshore wind capacity.

The country’s Ministry of Energy said on Friday that the EIA will assess the potential direct and indirect impact of offshore wind development on the environment and public health, and seek to provide alternatives and mitigation measures. Bird monitoring will be a key aspect of the EIA.

Views and proposals regarding the programme will be accepted by the government this week.

In June 2020, Lithuania picked a specific area, located about 29 km from shore and covering 137.5 sq km in average water depths of 35 m, saying it was appropriate for the construction of a 700-MW wind power complex. Developers for the site will be chosen in a tender, planned to be held in 2023.

The procurement round will be held after the country prepares a special plan for offshore wind installation in its marine area. The EIA is part of the preparatory steps.

The proposed offshore wind parks will have turbines ranging between 8 MW and 16 MW in capacity, with heights of up to 300 m. The government previously said that the complex would be constructed by 2030.

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