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 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”

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”

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 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”

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.

The 1st International Online Conference on Environments (IOCE 2026) will be held online on March 2-3, 2026.

More information here.

Anyone is welcome!

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”

Europe plans to increase offshore wind capacity from 36.6 GW to 84 GW by 2030, but one of the biggest challenges is insufficient investment in shipbuilding and port infrastructure. Additional investment is needed to install at least 10 GW of new capacity each year – and 15 GW per year after 2030. Over the last three years, 6.7 billion EUR has been invested in ports and specialized ships, but another 6.4 billion EUR is needed. Continue reading “EU prepares new strategy for ports and shipbuilding to support offshore wind targets”

IEA: Rapidly growing demand for electricity is changing the global energy market

Global electricity consumption will grow at one of the fastest rates in the last decade by 2026, according to a new forecast by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Demand is being driven by industry, data centers, electric vehicles and climate control systems, and will be met mainly by renewable resources, natural gas and nuclear energy. Continue reading “IEA: Rapidly growing demand for electricity is changing the global energy market”