The scientific article “Drivers of forest land, management, and policy changes in Latvia: Over a century of transitions“ prepared within the Europe-LAND has been published in the journal “Trees, Forests and People”.
Follow up on LinkedIn.
Green redevelopment aspects of landfills – Geotechnical and ecosystem services restoration challenges for real estate beneficiaries
The ongoing increase in global production has generated substantial volumes of waste, accumulated in landfills, open dumpsites, and brownfields of industrial waste. Although advances in recycling, reuse, and natural biodegradation have reduced the burden, legacy, and active and abandoned landfill sites remain critical environmental and urban planning challenges. Especially older or poorly managed sites – lack proper containment and post-closure care, resulting in unstable, degraded terrain often referred to as former dumps rather than engineered landfills. Real estate as well as municipal benefits can be gained in valuable lands with great developers’ interest, incorporating geotechnical engineering principles to ensure environmental safety, structural stability, and long-term viability for economic gains. Continue reading “Green redevelopment aspects of landfills – Geotechnical and ecosystem services restoration challenges for real estate beneficiaries”
Three potential Natura 2000 marine areas have been identified in the Latvian EEZ, which partially overlap with wind farm exploration areas
In the LIFE project REEF (LIFE19 NAT/LV/000973), researchers have identified three potential Natura 2000 marine areas in Latvia’s exclusive economic zone: Zēģelnieku shoal (near Ventspils), Alku shoal (near Pāvilosta) and Papes kalva (near Liepāja). The project is running from 1 September 2020 to 31 August 2025. Continue reading “Three potential Natura 2000 marine areas have been identified in the Latvian EEZ, which partially overlap with wind farm exploration areas”
THE BALTIC SEA IS A REGION THAT SETS THE TONE FOR OFFSHORE WIND DEVELOPMENT
The study concluded that the Baltic Sea is a region that sets the tone for offshore wind development
What does this mean for industry representatives and investors?
In the study “Life-cycle of an offshore wind farm in the legal framework: the case of Latvia,” which analyzes the Latvian case in the broader context of the Baltic Sea and compares the legal framework and development trends in the region, it was concluded that the Baltic Sea countries – Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland – are rapidly moving forward with the development of offshore wind projects. The Baltic Sea countries – Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland – are rapidly advancing in the development of offshore wind projects. The region is becoming one of the most dynamic markets in Europe, but legal certainty, the implementation of the revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) requirements, and clear investment regulations are crucial. The development of offshore wind power in the Baltic Sea is not only a tool for achieving climate goals, but also an investment opportunity with strategic importance for the energy security of the entire region. Continue reading “THE BALTIC SEA IS A REGION THAT SETS THE TONE FOR OFFSHORE WIND DEVELOPMENT”
The Energy and Environmental Agency is being merged with the State Environmental Service
On August 26, 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted a decree: as of October 1, the Energy and Environment Agency will be liquidated, and its functions, rights, and obligations will be taken over by the State Environmental Service (VVD).
A liquidation commission will be established; it must complete an inventory and prepare a closing report by December 1. Of the 40 positions, 35 will be transferred to the VVD, while five will remain with the Ministry of Climate and Energy. Continue reading “The Energy and Environmental Agency is being merged with the State Environmental Service”
SCIENTIFIC SEMINAR: CURRENT LEGAL ISSUES IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY
On August 29, at 1:00 p.m., Dr. iur. Leila Neimane, researcher at the Institute of Legal Sciences of the Faculty of Law of the University of Latvia, will hold an online scientific seminar entitled “Legal Issues in the Implementation of Offshore Wind Energy.” All interested parties are welcome to attend!
To receive the access link and presentation materials, please register HERE. The seminar will be held in Latvian.
The research is financed by the Recovery and Resilience Facility project “Internal and External Consolidation of the University of Latvia” (No.5.2.1.1.i.0/2/24/I/CFLA/007).
Enefit Green and Sumitomo end partnership in Liivi Bay offshore wind project
Enefit Green and Japanese company Sumitomo Corporation have decided to end their cooperation in the development of the Liivi Bay offshore wind farm in Estonia. The decision was made after a thorough assessment of the market and regulatory situation, concluding that there is currently insufficient clarity regarding long-term support mechanisms, such as Contracts for Difference (CfDs), which are necessary to secure investments of several billion euros. Continue reading “Enefit Green and Sumitomo end partnership in Liivi Bay offshore wind project”
Commentary on Wind Power
Incomplete transposition of RED III may hinder investments and regional auctions until 2026
RED III stipulates that by 2030, all Member States must implement at least two cross-border renewable energy projects, in accordance with Article 9. Latvia and Estonia already formally meet this requirement with the ELWIND joint project, but actual progress is hampered by significant structural shortcomings.
By mid-2025, Latvia has not yet officially granted the status of an renewables acceleration area to the ELWIND study area, and no functioning single contact point has been established, which is an essential prerequisite for the accelerated procedure under Article 16 of RED III. Estonia is already moving in this direction by using its “building rights license” (superficies licence) system, but cross-border synchronization is still incomplete.
The European Commission’s 2024 and 2025 guidelines emphasize that a country’s inability to ensure a fully functioning permit system may jeopardize investment attraction and reduce the possibility of qualifying for EU funding, including Connecting Europe Facility or Modernization Fund resources. With the first ELWIND auction in Latvia scheduled for 2026, the time frame is becoming critically narrow.
This situation highlights not only the administrative challenges, but also the importance of legally clear and digitally accessible instruments to make offshore wind investments in the region possible in the first place.
Join the Conference!
The 1st International Online Conference on Environments (IOCE 2026) will be held online on March 2-3, 2026.
More information here.
Anyone is welcome!
Tender announced for preliminary design work for ELWIND offshore wind farm
The Latvian Investment and Development Agency has announced a tender for the development of a technical concept for the ELWIND offshore wind farm. The project preparation process will consist of two phases – Pre-FEED and FEED.
The Pre-FEED or preliminary study phase will focus on developing a general technical concept using publicly available information to update the project’s baseline scenario. This will include an assessment of the site conditions and possible electricity connection options, which will serve as a basis for further development. Continue reading “Tender announced for preliminary design work for ELWIND offshore wind farm”