Leading green energy company in the Baltics

An international green energy company, Ignitis Renewables, will be the first company in Lithuania to install advanced bird monitoring systems made by ProTecBird. The bird detection system will detect and recognise the birds flying towards wind turbines in real time. The wind turbines will then be stopped, and the birds will be protected from potential collision. The latest technologies will both ensure the security of the birds and the efficiency of wind turbines. The system is to be installed by next spring. 

According to Lina Žibienė, Head of Environmental and Permitting at Ignitis Renewables, protecting biodiversity is one of the most important objectives in the sustainability strategy of the company. Therefore, as a green energy leader in the Baltic states, the Ignitis Renewables is constantly looking for the most innovative environmental solutions in the projects it develops. 

“Even though we do not currently have the obligation to install the system for wind farms that have been built already, we believe that this decision is very important in order to minimise the environmental impact of our renewable energy projects. While conducting surveys at Kelmė wind farm, we noticed that that there are vulnerable species inhabiting the territory and that additional measures are required to protect them. That is why we decided to act now. We chose the highest-quality technologies that were created by world-renowned manufacturers. The new systems will ensure the maximum efficiency and harmonise the energy generation and the highest environmental standards,” said L. Žibienė. 

The most advanced technologies in the largest wind farm in the Baltic States 

The bird protection system will be installed at Kelmė wind farm, the largest wind farm in the Baltics. The project will consist of 44 wind turbines and its total capacity will be 300 megawatts (MW), It is important to note that the project includes the deployment of advanced environmental solutions, i.e., technologies that nurture the local ecosystem. 

The installed bird monitoring systems will help protect the vulnerable species, including the lesser spotted eagle, the western marsh harrier and the common buzzard, flying around the territory.

Artificial intelligence employed to benefit the nature 

Kelmė wind farm will have 84 bird protection devices installed on 28 wind turbines, which are made by a German manufacturer, ProTecBird. They will be installed 10 metres above the ground. Even though the wind farm will have 44 wind turbines, the number of devices will be enough to cover the whole territory.  

The system uses high-definition cameras and artificial intelligence (AI) to detect and identify birds, including their flight speed, path and height, in real time. If birds enter the 300–600 metre zone, the wind turbines can be stopped within 30 seconds. This technology will make sure that the wind turbines are shut down for a short duration, until the birds pass them, avoiding the long-term generation disruptions. 

The bird monitoring technology evolved as a spin-off from advanced air defense systems originally designed to detect and track drones automatically. With the integration of sophisticated AI modules, it has been transformed into a powerful tool for reliably identifying bird species at wind farms, effectively eliminating the risk of bird collisions.

ProTecBird, a German technology company, pioneers innovative bird protection solutions by merging its deep expertise in ornithology with state-of-the-art technology. This cutting-edge bird monitoring system is remarkably versatile, extending its application beyond wind farms to industrial facilities, stadiums, and airports, where it ensures the safety of both birds and air traffic.  

“We are proud to have Ignitis Renewables choose our AI-powered AVES Wind anti-collision system. It is a privilege to support Lithuania’s energy transition while actively protecting bird species,” says Thorsten Heinzen, CEO of ProTecBird. 

“With the help of this system, we will be able to constantly monitor the birds, including their habitats, flight paths and perhaps discover new species that were not identified before,” says L. Žibienė, when listing the benefits of the bird monitoring system. 

Learn more about how the ProTecBird system works by watching this video. 

The object discovered during a seabed survey in the area designated for the wind farm in the Baltic Sea is actually a shipwreck. This has been finally confirmed by an additional survey. The object was detected on the seabed of the Baltic Sea during the seabed survey conducted by an international green energy company, Ignitis Renewables. The initial survey was carried out to assess the possibilities for the construction of Curonian Nord offshore wind farm. 

Though the initial guess was that it might be a natural formation of moraine rock, a more accurate survey with the help of a remotely operated underwater vehicle dispersed any doubt. There really is a shipwreck laying on the seabed. The 70-metre-long and about 6-metre-high shipwreck is lying 38 metres deep. 

“The approximately 120-square-kilometre seabed area in the Baltic Sea designated for developing offshore wind projects has never been surveyed in detail. Therefore, the current surveys are important not only for the energy sector but also for the Lithuanian scientific community. We have committed to transfer the data we collect to them,” says Dainius Stepanonis, Project Manager at Ignitis Renewables, a company developing Curonian Nord offshore wind farm, who is responsible for seabed surveys. 

According to him, the currently collected data shows that the shipwreck detected on the seabed of the Baltic Sea is not of significant historical value and will not be an obstacle for the development of the wind farm. However, this finding is still sheds light for scientists on what ships used to sail in the territorial waters of our country and for what purposes they were used. 

The available data allows us to determine only an approximate age of the ship; most of the information is deduced from the way the hull plating is welded together. Hull dimensions and proportions and the way the rudder blades are fitted are instrumental in determining the type of the ship. 

All this data allows us to assume that the ship laying on the seabed of the Baltic Sea was probably built no earlier than in the mid-1950s, as it was not until then that welding of the hull plating replaced riveting of the plating of metal-framed ships. The size and proportions of the ship are like the trawler-type ships that used to be built in Lithuania and the other Baltic States since the 1960s. 

Trawlers were mainly used for fishing; they were also used as a base for building scientific research, survey, civil and military vessels. Trawlers were also used for reconnaissance activities. 

As for the cooperation with the Lithuanian scientific community, D. Stepanonis notes that, besides the information about unexpected findings, other relevant information is also shared with scientists. Ignitis Renewables will transfer some of the seabed soil samples collected during the geotechnical surveys to the Lithuanian Geological Survey under the Ministry of Environment.

Ignitis Renewables is developing the first offshore wind farm project in Lithuania. It is estimated that the 700-megawatt (MW) wind farm, located in the Baltic Sea, could generate around three terawatt-hours (TWh) of green electricity per year, which would meet up to a quarter of Lithuania’s current electricity demand. 

It was announced earlier that the survey of the seabed would shed light on the seabed conditions in the Baltic Sea, which would inform the location, construction and design of wind turbines. The survey vessel sailed over 2,000 kilometres to survey this territory of the Baltic Sea, collecting high-quality data. The insights learned after the survey are now used to design the optimal wind turbine foundations and select their locations. 

More information about the project is available at curoniannord.com.

An offshore wind farm project, Curonian Nord, under development by the international green energy company, Ignitis Renewables, is creating an environment for prosperous businesses. During a meeting with shipowners in Klaipėda, representatives of the company discussed the opportunities the first offshore wind farm project in the country offers to Lithuanian maritime transport companies. 

“Lithuania aims to become the first Baltic country to have an operating offshore wind farm. However, the success of this historic energy project depends on a large number of stakeholders – we strive to ensure that each of them find opportunities to engage in the green transition and contribute to the changes,” says Eglė Mikalauskienė, Offshore Port Operations Commercial Manager at Ignitis Renewables. 

During a meeting with members of the Lithuanian Shipowners’ Association and representatives of other maritime organisations, Ignitis Renewables presented the requirements for special purpose ships, which would carry out tasks related to the construction and service of the offshore wind farm from the beginning of the construction period, until the start of the operation and maintenance of the wind farm. 

The meeting was attended by Towmar Baltic, Limarko Group, OJ Crew, Klasco, Boskalis and Sima Baltic, also by representatives of the Klaipėda State Seaport Authority and other organisations. The meeting participants agreed to share information about upcoming tenders for commercial suppliers and other related and relevant information. 

According to E. Mikalauskienė, regular information to shipowners will help them understand what changes should be made so their ships and crews could participate in the projects related to developing, and later operating and maintaining the wind farm. It was noted that the project could help expand the range of services provided by special purpose ships. 

Stressing the importance of cooperation  

During the meeting, the speakers reiterated several times that the green objective of Ignitis Renewables is to target net zero emissions by 2040–2050. Therefore, the renewable energy company encourages local shipowners to consider a possibility and invest in green vehicles and technologies. Members of the Lithuanian Shipowners’ Association agreed that investments would allow for upgrading and being technologically ready to participate in the commercial supply chain tenders. At the same time, the participants of the meeting acknowledged that creating an environmentally neutral supply chain today seems a big challenge. 

“It is clear that the development of the offshore wind farm requires as much cooperation as possible by sharing knowledge, experience and technologies. Shared knowledge opens up opportunities for improvement: it allows us to bring together the workforce and equipment capacities to create high added value and can ensure the long-term competitiveness and development of the wind farm,” commented Gintautas Kutka, Executive Director at the Lithuanian Shipowners’ Association. 

According to G. Kutka, the involvement of potential project partners can ensure that the economic benefits generated by offshore wind projects stay in the region and give impetus to the growth of a new shipping segment – a special purpose fleet and local related industries.  

Meanwhile, the Ignitis Renewables representative emphasised that cooperation with local businesses is equally important as they would supply components and provide services, thus strengthening the resilience of the supply chain. “Events in recent years have taught us the importance of reducing the dependence on international sources and being able to protect ourselves from the impact of disruptions in global supply chains and logistics systems,” said Eglė Mikalauskienė, adding that local services can reduce transport costs while also contributing to a lower carbon footprint. 

Five active years ahead 

The 700-megawatt (MW) offshore wind farm, currently under development in the Baltic Sea, is expected to generate about 3 terawatt-hours (TWh) of green electricity per year. This would meet up to a quarter of Lithuania’s current electricity demand. 

Curonian Nord offshore wind farm will significantly increase the local electricity generation from renewable energy sources, eliminate dependence on electricity imports and facilitate the transformation of the region into a sustainable green energy hub. 

The wind farm should cover about 120 square kilometres of the territory in the Baltic Sea. It will be at least 37 km away from the Lithuanian coast and about 50 km away from the port of Klaipėda. The offshore wind farm is currently scheduled to start operations around 2030. 

You can find more information about the project at curoniannord.com.

Ignitis Renewables, an international green energy company, and the Lithuanian Union of Local Community Organisations (LVBOS) are strengthening their partnership and have signed a cooperation agreement. The agreement aims to build a closer relationship with local communities in Lithuania located near the company’s renewable energy projects. This agreement serves as a symbol of Ignitis Renewables’ long-term commitment to local communities and their wellbeing. It will also ensure that the information about the benefits for communities reaches every member.

Ignitis Renewables has a long history of active cooperation with local communities, organising various events and meetings, providing information about its activities and contributing to community projects. This agreement will ensure even greater community engagement in ongoing initiatives and facilitate the development of new projects that respond to local needs and strengthen mutual trust.

“Our goal is to work reliably and harmoniously alongside local communities, focusing on partnerships, activities and projects that bring shared benefits. In three years, we allocated over EUR 1 million for Lithuanian communities in financial support. We wish to share examples of successful cooperation with other communities as well. We also wish to help the communities understand the benefits of living next to renewable energy projects. Cooperation with the LVBOS will give us more opportunities to share good practices and hear the community needs,” says Thierry Aelens, CEO at Ignitis Renewables.

Community organisations can do a lot for their region in the areas of economy, mental wellbeing, the environment, cultural diversity and identity, etc. According to Eglė Juozapavičienė, Head of LVBOS, this partnership will enable local communities to tangibly improve their quality of life while strengthening community trust.

“When people receive the necessary information, they become more aware and trust the decisions more. Our goal is to ensure that local residents are actively involved in the decisions in their communities and that information about business activities and initiates reaches every resident. The partnership with Ignitis Renewables will help create an environment, where all community members can contribute to the mutual wellbeing. Additionally, according to the signed agreement, Ignitis Renewables and LVBOS undertake to participate in each other’s activities, which will further involve the communities and provide outreach opportunities,” says E. Juozapavičienė.

This agreement is an important step towards sustainable and long-term cooperation which strengthens local communities in Lithuania. It will facilitate the dissemination of information and the implementation initiatives, which will have a positive impact on local residents and to the whole country.

The situation in the Baltic Sea, one of the five most polluted seas in the world, has not improved in recent years, but efforts of various public groups, public authorities and businesses can yield results. Curonian Nord offshore wind farm, currently under development by an international green energy company, Ignitis Renewables, can also benefit the Baltic Sea and certainly have a positive impact on the Baltic Sea’s ecosystems in the long term.

A discussion on what actions should be taken by all stakeholders to reverse negative processes in the Baltic Sea was held during a conference called the Future of Ecology in the Baltic Sea, initiated by Ignitis Renewables during a festival, Sveika, Neringa.

Virginijus Sinkevičius, a former European Commissioner and Member of the European Parliament, noted in his presentation that today’s trends in the Baltic Sea raise very serious concerns, and the pollution of this body of water has reached a critical level – around 93% of its territory suffers from eutrophication caused by excess nutrients (mainly nitrogen and phosphorus), i.e. changes in the ecosystem.

“The Baltic Sea is like a sink for the whole region. Our fish even test positive for substances from the pharmaceutical sector, even though the fish do not need ibuprofen for headaches! The biggest headache is human activity, the impact of which is further exacerbated by the enclosed nature of the Baltic Sea and climate change,” says V. Sinkevičius.

He claimed, however, that we certainly have ways to change the situation in the Baltic Sea, but this requires coming together and carrying out specific actions.

All measures have already been found

Simonas Gentvilas, Minister of Environment, said at the conference that the society can take measures to help protect the Baltic Sea from pollution, but that means that its various groups would have to make some compromises.

“A large proportion of the urban population has still not reached 100% connection to sewage networks, and the networks do not catch all the pollutants. This means that shampoos, phosphorus, potassium and other pollutants enter rivers through sewage networks and collect in the Curonian Lagoon,” said S. Gentvilas.

It was noted in the conference that the sea that washes the shores of Lithuania will have to undergo a transformation not only because of the need to take care of its cleanliness, but also because this body of water will soon become a very important part of the energy ecosystem.

Darius Maikštėnas, CEO of Ignitis Group, a company developing the first offshore wind farm in the Baltic States, Curonian Nord, said that this project will have to be implemented by ensuring the maximum safety and environmental protection. “We must think of ways to minimise the impact on the environment when constructing and developing the wind farm, including ways to maximise its benefits,” noted D. Maikštėnas.

According to him, the offshore wind energy sector is already mature enough and has decades of development under its belt, with plenty of technologies that deal with various environmental challenges – all you need to do is to invest in these solutions.

Wind turbines instead of tankers

Minister S. Gentvilas also supported this approach, noting that public fears about the potential environmental impact of the offshore wind farm are understandable, but there are measures to minimise that impact. When it comes to the energy sector, it is necessary to see a broader picture, the assessment of which shows that offshore wind energy projects are inevitable.

“Every year, when we buy gas, oil and electricity, we send EUR 6.5 billion abroad. Statistically, this is EUR 2,000 out of the pocket of each Lithuanian. With the right wind farm design, we have the opportunity to actually improve the situation in the Baltic Sea. So instead of tankers, we need to see wind turbines, which would create associations of a clean sea,” he said.

Vytautas Grubliauskas, the former mayor of Klaipėda, who also attended the conference, recalled that there were discussions about the construction project of the liquefied natural gas terminal too, but today nobody doubts its benefits and importance in terms of energy independence and national security.

Potential benefit for ecosystems

Prof. Artūras Razinkovas-Baziukas from the Marine Research Institute at Klaipėda University, who also made a presentation at the conference, reported that scientists are currently conducting several very large European studies on the Baltic Sea’s environment, which reveal that the situation is not good.

However, the professor noted that there are measures that can contribute to better management of marine resources, the restoration of biodiversity and the improvement of the quality of the environment. The offshore wind energy project may also contribute to this.

“Offshore energy projects have an impact on ecosystems during the construction of wind turbines. When the wind farm starts operating, it can even bring benefits, especially in the Baltic Sea. For example, mussels have practically disappeared in our waters. We hope that, once wind turbines are built, their foundations could become habitats for mussels,” explained A. Razinkovas-Baziukas.

The scientist also emphasised that there will be no fishing activities allowed in the territory of the offshore wind farm; the fish will not be disturbed and will have areas for safe spawning, so the currently depleted fish resources will begin to grow again.

Ignitis Renewables is developing the first offshore wind farm in the Baltic States, Curonian Nord. The project, with a capacity of up to 700 megawatts (MW), will generate about 3 terawatt-hours (TWh) of green electricity per year, which would meet about a quarter of Lithuania’s current electricity demand. The wind farm is currently scheduled to start operations around 2030.

You can find more information about the project at curoniannord.com.

The Baltic Sea is perfectly suitable for developing offshore wind projects, but it is very important that the needs of natural environment are also met in the process by applying the environmental impact mitigation measures. There is plenty of evidence suggesting that, if planned appropriately, offshore wind farms can both generate electricity and facilitate biodiversity. Erected wind turbines can serve as habitats that shelter marine wildlife and contribute to survival and restoration of ecosystems.

Just over a three decades ago, the seas had zero offshore wind farms. Today offshore wind is one of the most talked-about technologies in the energy sector when it comes to mitigating climate change.

With its shallow waters and stable wind, the Baltic Sea is very suitable for developing offshore wind farms. Denmark, Sweden and Germany have already built such wind farms. Poland, Estonia and Finland are also preparing for heavy investments. The same is true in Lithuania, where Ignitis Renewables, an international green energy company, is developing the first offshore wind farm in Lithuania, Curonian Nord.

The solutions needed to make this offshore wind farm a contributor to Lithuania’s energy independence and green objectives as well as the wellbeing of marine biodiversity and ecosystems were discussed during a conference on the future of ecology of the Baltic Sea at a festival, Sveika, Neringa.

Extensive research experience

Agnė Lukoševičienė, an environmental expert at Ignitis Renewables, which organised the conference, reminded everyone that the first offshore wind farm in the world was built in the Baltic Sea. Denmark’s Vindeby Offshore Wind Farm, which started operating in 1991, was generating electricity for 25 years using 11 wind turbines located 1.5 to 3 kilometres off the coast.

“It was a tremendously successful project that convinced politicians, planners and developers that offshore energy is not rocket science, but an achievable and successful pursuit. Since it was the first offshore wind farm, it was very interesting from a point of view of environmental research. This wind farm has therefore been the site for a wide range of studies on the environmental impact of offshore wind farms, with long-term observations of electromagnetic fields, noise, changes in animal behaviour, benthic habitats, etc.,” told A. Lukoševičienė.

She pointed out that offshore wind farms and their environmental impact have been studied in our region for over three decades, and during this period a lot of inspiring stories were recorded that show how such objects can contribute to the wellbeing of biodiversity and ecosystems.

“According to the latest studies summarising the 30-year period, after an onshore wind farm is built, it has minimal environmental impact and, if planned appropriately, can even contribute to the enrichment of local ecosystem. For example, the foundations of a wind turbine serve as artificial reefs, molluscs are happy to colonise such structures and form colonies, which means more space for molluscs, which both feed fish and birds and filter the water,” noted the expert from Ignitis Renewables.

Additionally, offshore wind farms often restrict any other activities, which means less ships, less disruptions, so fish stay at such places because they are safe. There are examples, where wind farms in the North Sea helped increase cod and crab stocks and improve the quality of their populations. And, of course, where there are fish, there are seals, which are happy to feed on them. So, the ecosystem is interconnected, more molluscs and undisturbed locations attract more fish, which attract mammals, in our case, seals, which feed on them. With places to hide, fish can reach greater maturity and contribute to healthier and more abundant commercial fish stocks.

“And this only includes conditions which naturally occur after a wind farm is built. Developers are also trying to contribute and improve the biodiversity. For example, they lower artificial reefs, which are constructed using materials that are as natural and environmentally friendly as possible, in order to provide even more space for molluscs. There is one very creative example in Australia, where sculptures were lowered to the bottom to serve as tourist, diver, attractions and as artificial reefs, benthic habitats. According to surveys, one wind turbine could become a home for 4 tonnes of molluscs on average,” estimated A. Lukoševičienė.

She also noted that fish hotels are being developed for offshore wind farms, where fish can quickly hide from bigger fish or seals. They give fish more chances to grow larger. So, applying such measures can also help increase the commercial fish stock, which is fairly relevant in the Baltic Sea as well since there are worrying signs about decreasing cod stocks.

A. Lukoševičienė demonstrated to the audience of the conference the results of a study carried at the North Sea, where GPS trackers were attached to seals in order to find out how seals are behaving near an offshore wind farm. The study results indicated that animals adapt to the wind turbines and use them to their benefit. These images capture a seal’s hunting trip, which makes it easy to see that the animal is not just swimming randomly but knows exactly which wind turbines are most likely to have fish nearby and chooses its route accordingly.

Responsible planning is important

“So, if everything is planned responsibly and implemented meticulously, offshore wind farms can coexist with biodiversity in a friendly and neighbourly fashion. 30 years of experience in offshore wind can be considered both a lot of time and not a lot. Many environmental impacts have already been fully investigated, while others are still the subject of active research. But one thing is clear – both the understanding of renewable energy and ecosystems is growing every day. Cooperation between business, science and environmental institutions is therefore a key factor here,” highlighted the environmental expert from Ignitis Renewables.

She believes that the first and an especially important step when trying to successfully implement an offshore wind project is comprehensive marine spatial planning and the reconciliation of different interests. And there are plenty of interests at sea: tourism, shipping, national security, communications, fishing and many others. And all this must be planned in conjunction with environmental protection.

In order for developers to assess the impact of different stages of development and apply measures properly, including how to avoid impacts or mitigate them to an acceptable level, it’s important to carry out a comprehensive environmental impact assessment, select the mitigation measures and implement them properly and, after the project is implemented, to monitor whether the measures are effective enough, do they achieve the desired effect.

“The Baltic Sea is one of the most heavily used seas in the world. So, countries must take great responsibility for ensuring such type of planning. Lithuania has already done so, and the future offshore wind farms will be developed in areas designated in national planning documents,” noted A. Lukoševičienė.

You can find more information about the project at curoniannord.com. 

Ignitis Renewables, an international green energy company, is expanding its operations in Latvia and is currently constructing the largest solar projects in the Baltics in Latvia. By building solar farm projects in Kuldīga, Tukums and Bauska municipalities, the company will be able to provide green energy to almost 200,000 Latvian households. 

“We are actively working on the construction of our projects in Latvia and plan to start producing and supplying green energy to the grid from solar power plants in Latvia as early as next year. We are moving forward with all our projects at a rapid pace, while working closely with local municipalities, parish administrations and communities to strengthen the region, where we build our projects, as a whole,” says Baiba Lāce, Head of Ignitis Renewables in Latvia. 

Ignitis Renewables’ portfolio of solar farms in Latvia currently consists of two solar projects already under construction – the 94 megawatt (MW) Vārme solar farm in Kuldīga municipality and the 145 MW Stelpe solar farm, which consists of two separate sites in Stelpe and Bārbale parishes in Bauska municipality. Construction work is currently underway. The total number of solar panels installed in these projects is around 389,000 and the solar farms will provide green energy to nearly 96,000 households per year. The completion and commercial operation of these solar farms is planned for 2025. 

This autumn, construction work will start on one of the most ambitious solar farm projects in the Baltics – the 174 MW Tume solar farm in Tukums municipality, Tume parish. The Tume solar farm is expected to have more than 282,000 solar panels. This will provide more than 85,000 households with clean energy every year.

“The size of our solar projects in Latvia is truly impressive. In total the solar farms will cover an area of 573 hectares – equivalent to about 840 football pitches. The construction of these large projects that will be able to power thousands of households with clean energy demonstrates our commitment to the region’s move towards a greener and more sustainable future,” says B. Lāce. 

The Head of Ignitis Renewables in Latvia also highlights, that the Tume solar farm will be equipped with a solar tracking system (tracker technology) that can detect the direction of the sun and automatically rotate with it. This system is particularly suited to Latvia’s climate conditions and allows maximum use of solar energy, significantly increasing the efficiency of solar panels even with low sunlight. The Tume solar farm is expected to reach commercial operation in 2026. 

With these projects, Ignitis Renewables plays a key role in Latvia’s transition to renewable energy, significantly contributing to the Baltic region’s energy independence and climate goals. 

We have become accustomed to seeing wind turbines spinning in the fields of Lithuania, providing our country with an increasing amount of green electricity. However, this renewable energy source can be harnessed even more efficiently by installing wind turbines offshore. An international green energy company, Ignitis Renewables, which is developing the largest wind energy projects in Lithuania and the Baltic States, explains why it is essential to generate green electricity both on land and at sea.

The first wind turbine in Lithuania was erected in 2004. Since then, and especially in recent years, the renewables sector in Lithuania has reached a breakthrough. According to Litgrid, electricity transmission system operator, Lithuania generated 3.972 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity from renewable energy sources last year, accounting for 70% of total generation. More than half of it, 2.524 TWh, was generated by wind turbines.

Head of Offshore Development at Ignitis Renewables, Vytautas Rimas, states that the results of wind energy in Lithuania are improving each year. However, this method of electricity generation could be even more efficient and contribute further to Lithuania’s energy independence if the massive potential of the Baltic Sea is utilised.

Potential efficiency is significantly higher

The higher efficiency of offshore wind turbines compared to their onshore counterparts is related to the absence of barriers, such as trees, mountains or buildings, that can obstruct the wind. Moreover, the wind blows continuously at sea, even when it seems calm on land. All this allows for a more efficient and stable electricity generation.

“Electricity output of wind farms depends in large part on wind speed. The offshore wind’s potential is greater, and it is more stable than the onshore wind. This is why offshore wind turbines generate electricity even during periods when onshore wind turbines are inactive due to the lack of wind,” says V. Rimas.

Offshore wind farm generates electricity nearly all the time. Average figures, which are based on the data from the offshore wind farms in the North Sea of one of the largest international offshore wind farm developers, Ørsted, show that offshore wind farms generate electricity nearly all the time. Around 91% of the time there’s enough wind to generate electricity. Only 8% of the time the wind is too weak, and around 1% of the time it is too strong.

According to V. Rimas, this means that an offshore wind farm can generate up to twice as much electricity as an onshore wind farm of the same capacity.

“The first offshore wind farm in Lithuania and the Baltic States, Curonian Nord, will generate around 3 TWh of electricity per year. This accounts for a quarter of Lithuania’s current energy demand. If we add the onshore renewable capacities, we can confidently say that the national energy independence goals are effectively becoming a reality,” emphasises the representative of Ignitis Renewables.

Residents see the advantages too

The foundations of offshore wind farms are designed to withstand the harshest conditions, and they are located far away from residential areas, which makes it possible to install more powerful wind turbines and space them optimally. This also increases their generation efficiency and load factor.

“Also, since offshore wind farms are located further away from the coast, they have a reduced visual impact on the landscape,” explains V. Rimas.

He points out that Lithuanian citizens also understand these advantages of offshore wind farms. A representative survey showed that 77% of the country’s population believes that offshore wind farms should be developed in Lithuania’s Baltic Sea territory to meet the energy generation and independence goals, while only 9% are opposed to such projects.

“Residents understand that generating electricity from renewable energy sources is extremely important both from an environmental and energy independence perspective. Therefore, it is critical to take advantage of all the opportunities provided by nature and ensure the diversification of electricity generation as different methods of generating electricity from renewable energy sources complement each other. Solar energy is the most efficient during the summer days, onshore wind farms are particularly efficient during the colder months, while the offshore wind farms are the most stable compared to the first two methods,” notes Head of Offshore Development at Ignitis Renewables.

The Curonian Nord offshore wind farm, with a capacity of up to 700 megawatts (MW) will cover an area of about 120 square kilometres in the Baltic Sea and will be positioned least 37 km away from the shore and about 50 km from the Port of Klaipėda. The offshore wind farm is expected to become operational around 2030.

You can find more information about the project at curoniannord.com. 

Ignitis Renewables, an international green energy company, is expanding its operations in Latvia. The investment decision foresees an investment up to EUR 106 million in the development of the 174 megawatt (MW) Tume solar farm, which will be one of the largest of its kind in the Baltics. This will be the third Ignitis Renewables solar project in Latvia and demonstrates the company’s commitment to accelerating the region’s drive towards a greener and more sustainable future.

“We are ambitiously working to expand the renewable energy segment and develop new projects in Latvia, as Ignitis Renewables sees huge growth potential in this region. Expanding our portfolio of solar energy projects is a significant benefit for households, businesses and for supporting local community initiatives in the region where we are developing renewable energy projects. It also allows us to move closer to implementing Ignitis Group’s strategic priority to deliver 4–5 GW of installed green capacities by 2030,” stated Thierry Aelens, CEO at Ignitis Renewables.

The Tume solar farm will be located in the Tume parish of Tukums municipality. The targeted total capacity of the project will reach 174 MW, being able to supply up to 85,000 households with electricity per year. This will be the first Ignitis Renewables project to use tracker technology, which automatically tracks the sun’s movement, increasing the production efficiency of the sun panels, resulting in more electricity being generated.

The initial construction phase of the project is scheduled to start later this year, with commercial operation scheduled for 2026.

Expanding portfolio of solar projects

Ignitis Renewables’ portfolio of solar farms in Latvia currently consists of two solar farms already under construction – the 94 MW Vārme solar project in Kuldīga municipality and the 145 MW Stelpe solar project, which consists of two separate sites in Stelpe and Bārbale parishes in Bauska municipality. The completion and commercial operation of these solar farms is planned for 2025.

The current investment in the development of solar projects by Ignitis Renewables in Latvia is estimated at around EUR 284 million, which includes both construction and project development costs. Over the next few years, the Ignitis Group plans to invest a total of around EUR 700 million in Latvia. The majority of the investment will be in renewable energy projects.

Emphasis on support for local communities and environmental protection

For Ignitis Renewables, sustainable and close cooperation with local communities in the vicinity of renewable energy projects under development is essential. The company implements cooperation and support programmes with local communities when developing renewable energy projects. This year, Ignitis Renewables support programme is also available in Latvia, providing financial support to projects and initiatives of local communities and organisations.

“Ignitis Renewables cannot implement renewable energy projects without working closely with local community organisations, building relationships based on mutual understanding and trust. Cooperation with local communities is the foundation of Ignitis Renewables’ sustainable development. We are committed to ensuring that Ignitis Renewables’ renewable energy projects add value to local communities and businesses, as well as to the region as a whole” said Baiba Lāce, Head of Ignitis Renewables in Latvia.

In addition, Ignitis Renewables, alongside the construction of renewable energy projects, is implementing a major environmental programme to reduce the impact on local populations, wildlife and the overall landscape. This approach underscores Ignitis Renewables’ commitment to environmental protection in renewable energy development. 

The absolute majority of Lithuanian citizens rate electricity generation from renewable energy sources positively and believe that the country should produce all the energy it needs this way. Offshore wind energy has a significant role to play in this – the majority of Lithuanians are in favour of development of wind farms in the Baltic Sea.

The representative study, conducted by KOG Institute for Marketing and Communication Sciences, disclosed the respective opinions of Lithuanians. Moreover, the study also set out to find out how coastal area residents view offshore wind energy. It became apparent that most residents consider the electricity generation in the Baltic Sea to strengthen Lithuania’s energy independence and they have almost no misconceptions about wind farms.

The study showed that as much as 77% of Lithuanian citizens believe that it is strategically important for Lithuania to be able to generate all the electricity it needs itself, while nearly the same number of respondents (76%) agree with the statement that the electricity generation from renewable energy sources increases the country’s energy independence.

Also, 77% of the population agrees that offshore wind farms should be developed in the Lithuanian territory in the Baltic Sea to achieve the national electricity generation and energy independence goals, while only 9% say they do not support such projects.

In the coastal region, 66% of residents stated that they support the development of offshore wind farms. Paulius Kalmantas, Communication Partner at Ignitis Renewables, an international green energy company, notes that even though a slightly lower number of coastal region residents agree with the development of offshore wind, they are better informed about this type of electricity generation method and have fewer stereotypes about it compared to people living in cities, farther away from the Baltic Sea’s coastline.

“People living near the coast and in Western Lithuania have a stronger and more positive opinion on offshore wind farms than other Lithuanians. Coastal residents have a higher tendency to agree that such generation assets have no negative impact on the quality of life and are important for the national energy independence,” states P. Kalmantas.

For example, 67% of coastal residents believe that offshore wind farms are located sufficiently away from the residential territories for the noise generated by the wind farms to reach them. Whereas in Lithuania as a whole, only 18% of citizens agree with this statement.

Also, 61% of coastal residents agree that offshore electricity generation is more effective than onshore, 49% believe that such method of generation is more stable. At the national level, 17% and 12% of the residents agree with these statements respectively.

“To achieve the strategic goals of Lithuanian and European energy sectors, we must develop both offshore and onshore wind farms. However, when considering their differences, offshore wind farms clearly have greater potential as the electricity generation is more stable. Since we talk more about offshore in Western Lithuania, the locals are better acquainted with this information. At the same time, coastal residents are less scared of wind turbines because wind energy in the coastal region is no longer a novelty,” states P. Kalmantas.

It is also important to note that, even though citizens across the country believe that renewables play a major role in achieving energy independence, coastal residents maintain the opinion that offshore wind farms are also very important in this context. In total, 70% of Lithuanians and 77% of coastal residents consider offshore wind farms important for energy independence.

78% of coastal residents believe that the development of offshore wind energy can significantly contribute to the growth of the country’s economy, whereas this view is upheld by just 69% of Lithuanian citizens.

“It is clear that electricity generation from renewable energy sources, specifically offshore, has a very large support in Lithuania, while the coastal residents have fewer stereotypes associated with it. Many have a clear understanding that offshore wind farms are very safe, environmentally friendly, have no impact on landscape and can significantly contribute to Lithuania’s green energy and energy independence goals,” notes Ignitis Renewables representative.

He reminds us that Ignitis Renewables is developing the first offshore wind farm in the Baltic states, Curonian Nord, with a capacity of up to 700 megawatts (MW), which will generate around 3 terawatt-hours (TWh) of green electricity per year, enough to cover around a quarter of Lithuania’s current electricity demand. The offshore wind farm is expected to become operational around 2030.

The representative opinion survey of Lithuanian residents was performed by KOG Institute for Marketing and Communication Sciences in spring 2024. Citizens between ages 18 and 64 from across Lithuania took an online survey. 1,009 individuals have participated in the survey in total. Additionally, 200 respondents from Western Lithuania (Tauragė, Jurbarkas, Kelmė and Mažeikiai) and 350 respondents from the coastal region (Neringa, Kretinga, Palanga and Klaipėda) were surveyed via the phone or in person.

You can find more information about the project at curoniannord.com. 

As both Lithuanian residents and tourists from abroad are looking for new and exciting experiences, industrial tourism has seen a boost in popularity. The number of such points of interest that enrich visitors with knowledge and unexpected sensations has been increasing. The offshore wind farm, Curonian Nord, which is being developed by Ignitis Renewables, an international green energy company, could become one of the points of interest for tourists in Lithuania, and examples from other countries indicate that new niche services could emerge.

Mykolas Bistrickas, Director at the Museum of Energy and Technology of Lithuania, says that industrial and energy tourism is booming, and this trend will only grow because people are becoming more aware and curious.

“I have been working in this field since 2018 and am noticing the increase in its popularity both in Lithuania and abroad. I believe that the increase in popularity in energy tourism is related to the people’s increasing interest in ecology, renewable energy. These topics are important to all of us, so people are starting to look for their origins, for example, they are visiting the first public power plant in Vilnius, which reveals both the past and the future of the energy sector,” tells M. Bistrickas.

He illustrates the boost in popularity of industrial tourism with numbers – last year the Museum of Energy and Technology had 145,000 visitors, while it failed to reach 20,000 just five years ago. “This is true in other attractions as well. Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant, which is being decommissioned, and other industrial, technical and heritage sites are also experiencing the growth in visitors,” assures M. Bistrickas.

Opportunities for local communities

There’s no shortage of examples of industrial tourism becoming more popular in Lithuania, including an energy festival Mechanisms, which takes place in the capital, tours to Vilnius Combined Heat and Power Plant 2, Ekranas factory in Panevėžys as well as facilities of Ignitis Group, which are visited by thousands every year: Kruonis Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Plant, Kaunas Hydroelectric Power Plant and Vilnius and Kaunas Combined Heat and Power Plants.

Ignitis Renewables has already tested the waters by allowing tours to wind farms. Together with a public body Žaliasis Regionas and the municipality of Tauragė district, it started organising an education programme called the Wind is Coloured Green, where tourists are invited to visit an onshore wind farm located near Tauragė and learn how green electricity is being generated with the help of a natural phenomenon. Local community members were eager to join the programme. They were specially trained by Ignitis Group’s employees and are currently giving tours to visitors.

Anne-Marie Roikjær, Curonian Nord Project Director, is confident that the first Lithuanian offshore wind farm, Curonian Nord, could become a tourist attraction. “There are many examples in Lithuania and abroad, where the energy sector and tourism have great synergies. The offshore wind farm also has a huge potential to become an industrial tourism attraction. It will be impressive in terms of its size and strategic importance,” says A. Roikjær.

The Curonian Nord project is expected to increase the number of tourism services in Klaipėda and coastal resorts. This is true in other countries, which have offshore wind farms. They generate electricity while also serving as tourist attractions. 

Offshore wind farms are becoming tourist attractions

Countries that have been building offshore energy projects for some time are welcoming tourists to visit the sites. For example, in Denmark a tourist vessel can sail up to Anholt Offshore Wind Farm, which has 111 wind turbines, and Middelgrunden Offshore Wind Farm, which is located in the Baltic Sea near Copenhagen, offers special tours to the offshore wind farm site.

Netherlands are welcoming tourists to sail the North Sea and visit the Offshore Wind Farm Egmond aan Zee to learn more about the wind energy. Visitors are also welcome at Thorntonbank Wind Farm in Belgium and Nordsee Ost offshore wind farm in Germany. Such attractions are also popular in the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

“It’s easy to imagine that Lithuania could also have tourist vessels sailing to and from the offshore wind farm, with accommodation, catering, bike rent and other services waiting for them on land. Curonian Nord has a potential to generate a lot of value for local residents: just like for example the Ostend resort in Belgium, which is famous for its golden beaches, beloved by tourists, and has 9 offshore wind farms nearby,” states A. Roikjær, the representative of Ignitis Renewables.

You can find more information about the project at curoniannord.com.

The majority, or 76% of the surveyed Lithuanians agree that renewables are strengthening Lithuania’s energy independence. The data comes from a representative survey of Lithuanian residents. Residents favour electricity generated using solar, offshore and onshore wind energy the most.

“Lithuanians consider renewable energy as a very significant contributor to the national energy independence. The survey shows that 77% of the population agrees to the statement that for Lithuania it’s strategically important to be able to generate all the electricity it needs itself. Nearly the same number of respondents (76%) believe that Lithuania’s energy independence is being strengthened by developing renewables,” says Paulius Kalmantas, Communication Partner at an international green energy company Ignitis Renewables.

According to him, residents have a strong opinion on local green energy generation. According to the survey, only 3–4% of residents have doubts regarding these statements and only a fifth of them have no opinion.

Developing renewable energy is one of the most important goals when it comes to national energy independence. Lithuania is implementing its National Energy Independence Strategy and has an ambitious objective to cover 100% of electricity needs of the country using renewable energy sources.

According to the representative from Ignitis Renewables, it’s a mission possible. “The projects we develop significantly contribute to increasing the local generation of electricity using renewable energy sources, thus reducing Lithuania’s dependence on electricity imports while facilitating the regional transition to a sustainable green energy hub,” says P. Kalmantas.

Solar and wind energy is favoured by the most

According to the survey, residents rate the electricity generation from solar and wind energy the most positively. 88% of the respondents perceive solar energy very positively or positively, and 77% of them have similar opinions on offshore energy. Additionally, nearly as many (75%) respondents also rate onshore wind energy positively or very positively.

“The survey data reveals that the reason for the positive attitude of respondents towards the development of solar and wind energy capacities is their contribution to the national energy independence. Residents also consider the energy generated by them as clean and easily utilised. Some of the residents are aware of and appreciate the possibility for communities living near our wind or solar farms to receive financial support,” notes P. Kalmantas.

The representative from Ignitis Renewables, which has been rapidly developing wind farms for a couple of years, notes that the respondents in the regions which already have or will soon have the company’s wind farms statistically have a more favourable perception of wind energy compared to the country’s average.

“This indicates that, as with all innovations, wind farms and the renewable energy sector are still shrouded in myths that are not true. We often fear what we do not know. The survey results and our constant engagement with local communities prove once again that residents who live near already operating renewable energy facilities are no longer subjected to misleading information about their impact on people’s health, farming, etc.,” says the representative of Ignitis Renewables.

The representative opinion survey of Lithuanian residents was performed by KOG Institute for Marketing and Communication Sciences in spring 2024. Residents of between ages of 18 and 64 from across Lithuania took an online survey. 1,009 individuals participated in the survey. Additionally, 200 residents from Western Lithuania (Tauragė, Jurbarkas, Kelmė and Mažeikiai) and 350 residents from the coastal region (Neringa, Kretinga, Palanga and Klaipėda) were surveyed via the phone or in person.

In the drive towards energy independence, the potential of offshore wind in electricity generation has lately been increasingly and actively discussed. Across Europe, countries are unveiling ambitious plans for new offshore wind energy projects, with the Baltic Sea occupying a particularly significant place on the map of pending transformation. In this regard, Lithuania is taking its first steps, where Ignitis Renewables, an international green energy company, is developing the region’s first offshore wind farm project, Curonian Nord.

The momentum towards offshore wind is reinforced by the European Wind Energy Charter, signed by energy ministers from EU member states and over 300 energy companies last year. This agreement underscores the urgent need to bolster onshore and offshore wind industries to meet Europe’s green objectives and achieve energy independence.

The Baltic Sea’s strategic importance in this energy revolution cannot be overstated, with its enormous wind energy potential being increasingly tapped in recent years, although there is still a long way to go before it is truly unlocked.

Ambitious national plans

The importance of the Baltic Sea in the wind energy sector cannot be overstated. Home to the world’s first offshore wind farm near Denmark’s Lolland Island, established in 1991, the region continues to lead in wind energy production.

Denmark dominates electricity production in the Baltic Sea, with half of the twenty wind farms currently operating in its waters. However, other countries surrounding the Baltic Sea are increasingly following the model.

The Baltic Sea’s relatively shallow waters and abundant winds are ideal for wind farm installations. Scientists and experts in the energy sector estimate the Baltic Sea’s wind energy potential is 93 gigawatts (GW), far surpassing current installations totalling just over 3 GW. With ambitious national plans underway, this figure will rapidly increase in the coming years.

“In a landmark declaration last year, eight states bordering the Baltic Sea committed to achieving a collective capacity of 19.6 GW from offshore wind farms by 2030. This ambitious goal aligns closely with the European Commission’s Green Deal, which aims to increase the EU’s offshore wind capacity to 60 GW by the same year, replacing the current 32 GW. Remarkably, the Baltic Sea alone is set to meet one-third of the Community’s targeted capacity. Only the North Sea, which is significantly larger and windier, has greater potential,” stated the Head of Offshore Development at Ignitis Renewables Vytautas Rimas.

Currently, offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea are exclusively operated by Denmark, Sweden, Germany and Finland, with Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia poised to join this exclusive group soon. Furthermore, new projects are planned in the countries that have already harnessed the Baltic Sea wind.

“One could say that a true wind energy breakthrough is beginning in the Baltic Sea, with some countries setting particularly ambitious targets. For instance Poland, which currently lacks offshore wind farms, plans to install 28 GW of capacity in its territorial waters by 2050. This would surpass even Denmark to become the leading electricity producer in the Baltic Sea,” said V. Rimas.

According to V. Rimas, this surge in ambition comes amid a heightened focus on energy security and sustainability, catalysed by geopolitical shifts and energy price volatility following Russia’s conflict with Ukraine. As emphasised by experts, investments in offshore wind not only enhance energy security, but also accelerate the transition to climate-neutral energy sources. “The inexhaustible nature of offshore wind power promises to reduce reliance on Russian fossil fuels significantly, aligning with broader environmental and national security imperatives. Moreover, electricity generation from wind is climate-neutral. Therefore, the development of offshore wind energy solves two European problems at once,” said the expert at Ignitis Renewables.

Small coastline – big potential

With the smallest coastline among Baltic Sea nations, Lithuania may not match the scale of its neighbours’ ambitions in offshore wind energy. Nonetheless, the country is poised to revolutionise its energy sector with significant strides in marine wind power.

According to the Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan (BEMIP), Lithuania holds a promising offshore wind potential of 4.5 GW. By the early 2030s, Lithuania will have developed its inaugural offshore wind farm, Curonian Nord, boasting a capacity of approximately 700 megawatts (MW). This venture is projected to generate 3 terawatt-hours (TWh) of clean electricity annually, meeting a quarter of Lithuania’s current electricity demand.

“While Lithuania’s Baltic Sea footprint may be modest, harnessing its wind resources could potentially exceed our domestic electricity needs. This surplus not only positions Lithuania favourably in the electricity export market, but also paves the way for investments in cutting-edge renewable technologies like green hydrogen production,” stated V. Rimas.

Beyond energy impact, offshore wind projects promise substantial benefits to the country’s economy. The initial phase of the Curonian Nord project alone is expected to attract billion-dollar investments, create high-skilled jobs and invigorate both the coastal economy and Lithuania’s infrastructure sectors, including transport and construction as well as the development of the Klaipėda port.

“Not to mention that once the offshore wind farm is operational, the project developer will provide direct support to local communities. Ongoing support from project developers will directly enhance local communities, funding transformative improvements along the coastline. This means that coastal residents will receive funds to finance significant changes for them,” emphasised the Head of Offshore Development at Ignitis Renewables.

You can find more information about the project at curoniannord.com. 

An international green energy company, Ignitis Renewables, has completed the construction of a solar power plant in Tauragė district, near an operating wind farm, thus making it the company’s first hybrid wind and solar project, which enables a more effective utilisation of the land and infrastructure managed by the company. 

“Our wind farm has been successfully operating in Tauragė district for over 10 years, and now we have installed a solar power plant nearby. This makes it a hybrid project, where several types of renewable power plants are connected to a single connection in the transmission network,” said Giedrius Meškelė, Head of Renewable Energy, Lithuania at Ignitis Renewables. 

According to him, hybrid wind and solar farms enable a more effective utilisation of the available electricity network capacities and other internal infrastructure, which makes them more cost-efficient in terms of construction and maintenance costs. 

The 22 megawatt (MW) solar power plant is built in a 32-ha territory. It will power around 13,000 households alone. Together with the 25 MW wind farm, they will power around 40,000 households in Lithuania. The total investments in the solar park will reach approximately EUR 14 million. 

The implementation of environmental measures will start soon 

Focus on environmental issues has been at the forefront throughout the project’s development. Its construction was followed by unique research to find out the impact the solar power plant’s installation has on nature and biodiversity. Specialists are evaluating the changes in flora and fauna with environmental initiatives planned after the constructions are completed. 

According to Lina Žibienė, Head of Environment and Permitting at Ignitis Renewables, besides the mandatory initiatives and impact mitigation measures, the company is carrying out additional measures, thus fostering good practices. 

“We are involving additional experts in the development of the project, who are helping us implement certain measures. For example, one of the mandatory measures is wildlife gates for larger animals, so they could leave the territory after entering it. The fence surrounding the territory is raised from the ground so smaller animals that entered the territory could also migrate through it,” commented the environmental expert. 

According to L. Žlibienė, the company’s specialists will monitor the restoration of grass after the construction processes and will strictly limit the spread of invasive species. “We have specially selected grass seeds, which we will plant at a predetermined time in selected locations. We will leave some of the territory to restore itself naturally, so the trees growing in nearby territories could bring the seeds over, thus preserving natural environment,” commented the representative.

Ignitis Renewables endeavours to make all its projects sustainable and friendly to the environment. By developing renewable projects, the company is contributing to the energy independence, reducing the climate change and improving the local environment. 

Ignitis Renewables, an international green energy company, is developing the first offshore wind farm in the Baltic states by the name of Curonian Nord. This project will contribute to the strengthening of Lithuania’s energy independence, promote the economy of the coastal region and the entire country and support local communities. Since Ignitis Renewables is committed to educate the public about renewable energy and its benefits, it has started a special education programme designed to introduce children to offshore wind farms through games and hands-on experiences.

Children of a Palanga kindergarten, Ąžuoliukas, were the first to try this programme. They had the opportunity to visit the beach, where they learned about the principles, construction processes and benefits of offshore wind farms. The educational programme included hands-on activities, where children built small wind turbine models, observed how they work and learned about the electricity generation using offshore wind.

This education initiative will continue to travel the Lithuania’s coastal region with the aim of inspiring the younger generation to take an interest in engineering, technology and renewable energy and, in particular, offshore electricity generation. It will also make the communities more informed, spread the information about offshore wind and the Curonian Nord project.

Education is one of the main goals of the company and a way to strengthen the cooperation with local communities. Ignitis Renewables supports the #EnergySmartSTART programme, which is designed for children, students and anyone who is interested in energy. Energy companies that support the programme are implementing various initiatives, organise excursions, meetings with professionals, set up dedicated scholarships and promote career opportunities in the energy sector.

The company aims to start cooperating with communities located near the offshore wind farm already, even though the project is still in the planning phase. This opens up opportunities to find the best solutions during the construction and operational phases of the project that empower the communities, improve their quality of life and have a positive impact on the environment surrounding the wind farm.

The Curonian Nord offshore wind farm, with a capacity of up to 700 megawatts (MW), will generate around 3 terawatt-hours (TWh) of green electricity per year, which would cover around a quarter of Lithuania’s current electricity demand. The wind farm will cover an area of about 120 square kilometres in the Baltic Sea and will be positioned least 37 km away from the shore and about 50 km from the Port of Klaipėda. The offshore wind farm is expected to become operational around 2030.

You can find more information about the project at curoniannord.com.

An international green energy company, Ignitis Renewables, is continuing the cooperation with local communities located near the wind farms and solar parks managed or developed by the company. In three years, the company has allocated more than EUR 1 million for Lithuanian communities in financial support. The funds are allocated to communities developing important project in areas of economy and mental wellbeing, cultural diversity and identity as well as environmental protection.

“Our renewable energy projects create conditions for sufficient green energy supply and contribute to national energy independence. These projects cannot be implemented without the cooperation with local communities, they must built on trust and good will. Financial support for projects important to local communities allows us to strengthen local communities, create additional value to Lithuania, contributes to the environmental protection of the land we operate in, promoting cultural diversity and identity,” believes Thierry Aelens, CEO of Ignitis Renewables.

Financial support surpassed a million

According to Emilija Musteikytė, Community Projects Coordinator at Ignitis Renewables, communities are becoming more and more involved in utilising the financial support and in three years the amount of funds allocated to Lithuanian communities has already exceeded EUR 1 million.

In 2022 Ignitis Renewables invited communities to submit applications to receive financial support for the first time. It was provided to 9 organisations with over EUR 80,000 allocated. Last year it received 10 applications and all of them received financial support. The total allocated amount was three times higher and reached EUR 247,000. This year the amount dedicated to Lithuanian communities is once again growing several times and will reach EUR 757,000.

“We want these funds to bring maximum value to the communities and Lithuania, which is why this year we invited communities to the Good Neighbours gathering. The goal of the event was to gather the representatives of communities, encourage them to share their experience, listen to their expectations, tell them about the projects we develop, their impact on the environment and our efforts to reduce it,” says E. Musteikytė.

This year several communities are eligible to apply for financial support, including the communities in Kelmė, Kretinga, Mažeikiai, Jurbarkas and Tauragė with wind farms and solar parks managed or developed by Ignitis Renewables nearby.

The goal is to strengthen local communities

Community organisations may apply with four kinds of projects: economy and mental wellbeing-related, cultural diversity and identity-related as well as environmental protection-related.

An economic wellbeing project may include the funding of infrastructure, upskilling, entrepreneurship and tourism promotion projects, including various training activities. A project of the community of Pikeliai is one of the projects that have already received funding. It was for adapting the infrastructure in Mažeikiai district to the needs of pilgrims. Additionally, Lauksargiai community carried out an education programme called the Wind is Coloured Green.

A good example of a project promoting cultural diversity and identity could be the purchase of national Lithuania Minor costumes by the residents of Lauksargiai. Projects involving the creation or adaptation of infrastructure, art installations or other cultural events, the development and installation of sites, routes and memorials may also receive funding.

Environmental projects may include the purchase of equipment for land management, funding the protected species conservation activities, habitat maintenance, activities of specialised clubs or organisations, etc.

The funds may also be provided to the projects that promote mental wellbeing, including projects to help families with children with special educational needs, healthy eating and movement, mental resilience trainings, etc.

Two months to submit applications

“We understand that some community organisations do not have knowledge or experience of drafting a project, so we are trying to help them, show the opportunities, we can also finance the costs of drafting a project,” says E. Musteikytė.

The communities that are eligible to receive financial support may apply from 1 July to 25 August.

Financial support will also be provided to Polish and Latvian communities

This year, for the first time, the financial support will be provided to the communities located near the solar parks of Ignitis Renewables in Latvia (EUR 200,000) and to provide scholarships to students who choose energy studies (EUR 40,000).

This is the second year that the company is providing financial support to communities near projects in Poland. In 2023, the financial support (over EUR 100,000) was provided to communities for wind energy education, first aid training, outdoor workshops, health hikes and the installation of solar power plants. This year, financial support in the amount of EUR 200,000 will be allocated to communities located near Silesia wind farm in Poland.

In celebration of the Global Wind Day, an international green energy company, Ignitis Renewables, brought together local communities living near wind farms for the first gathering called Good Neighbours. The Global Wind Day is celebrated on 15 June, when the focus is being directed towards wind energy and its significance in the transition to clean energy.

The gathering that took place in Mažeikiai district in Lithuania and was attended by representatives from many communities, schools, and other organisations, from Mažeikiai, Kretinga, Tauragė, Jurbarkas, Kelmė, Plungė, Jonava, Pakruojis, Pasvalys and Klaipėda districts. They all live near wind farms of Ignitis Renewables that are operational, under construction or development.

“The Good Neighbours gathering is an opportunity to chat and maintain relationships with the communities that live in the areas where Ignitis Renewables is developing its renewables projects. We are going to be long-term partners so it’s important for us to make the people understand the importance of renewable energy but also for us to understand their needs, contribute to the wellbeing of their lands, help implement the necessary changes and create a community of communities,” said Emilija Musteikytė, Community Projects Coordinator at Ignitis Renewables.

According to her, the idea to organise a gathering came because we wanted to provide opportunity for people from the various corners of Lithuania to share their experience. “There’s a common trait between all the amazing communities that attended – they are living near our projects. However, some have been living like this for years now, and some are still looking forward to the construction of wind farms. That’s why we wanted to allow people to hear about their neighbour, Ignitis Renewables, not from our lips, but from their peers,” states E. Musteikytė.

“Additionally, we wished for communities to be inspired by each other’s ideas on how the financial aid provided by Ignitis Renewables could be utilised in improving the wellbeing and the environment of the cities, towns, villages and their residents. This way we can ensure that the wind farms we are building are benefiting the Lithuanian energy sector as well as the people living closest to them,” says the representative of Ignitis Renewables.

The participants visited the Mažeikiai wind farm, measured wind speed, had the opportunity to get inside a wind turbine, learned about how they operate, along with the procedures for implementing such projects as well as having the opportunity to participate in discussions about renewable energy. At the gathering, Ignitis Renewables presented many ways the communities could utilise the financial support; the value created for Lithuania; the inspiring examples, and the community representatives shared good practices from projects that are already completed.

For example, the financial support allocated to Pikeliai, Mažeikiai district, was used to upgrade and adapting the community centre to the needs of pilgrims, and this year they are planning to install smart solar-powered lighting solutions. The Vydmantai community already has such lighting solutions installed. It received the financial support from Ignitis Renewables in 2022. This year Vydmantai are using the funds to build an outdoor class dome and a stage for community and student events. Previously, they had upgraded their school stadium barriers. A public institution, ‘Žaliasis regionas’ (the Green Region), located in Tauragė district, is organising educational activities about wind energy.

The event was attended by the Tauragė community, whose members shared their experiences about their tours to wind farms, how these operated and ran an education package called Wind is Coloured Green, for the second year in a row. “When the work on the wind farms started, there were many fears, including the impact on cow milk yield, damage to birds, but now we can tell anyone who comes on tours that everything is fine. This programme is funded by Ignitis Renewables and with their help we can introduce other Lithuanian residents to wind energy, helping them to address and dispel their concernss,” said a Tauragė resident, educator Irina Sadauskienė.

The Chair of Vydmantai Community, Simas Končius, also shared the stories about his community on how they manage to live in the vicinity of wind turbines. “It’s nearly 18 years since the wind turbines became our neighbours. Vydmantai are surrounded from all sides by them. I will not hide that the community experienced a lot, including fear, anger, disputes on land, but we pulled through. We were surprised that Ignitis Renewables contacted us on their own volition and offered financial support to the community. They provided a draft financial support project and we started to writing projects on the things what our community needed the most,” said S. Končius.

“We already had meetings with Vydmantai community and shared our experiences on financial support. We accepted the invitation to submit requests for financial support and now we have premises adapted to the needs of pilgrims, which we also use for communal needs (events, gatherings). The road of Jacob (Camino Lituano) is passing our town and now we can accept pilgrims here,” shared her experience Jadvyga Gedutienė, a resident of Pikeliai, a town in the vicinity of Ignitis Renewables’ wind farm.

Ignitis Renewables expect to make this event into an annual tradition and this year the company planning to allocate record funds to provide financial support to communities, which means that I the future community representatives will be able to talk about even more impressive successfully completed projects.

The tenth iteration of the EV race Ignitis ON: Get to know Lithuania! this year turned up in Kražiai. People had the opportunity to watch a stage finish, talk with participants and inspect the cars. The event featured a unique educational platform of an international green energy company, Ignitis Renewables, where visitors could take a virtual tour inside a wind turbine.

More than 50 different EVs flooded the courtyard of M.K. Sarbievijus Cultural Centre in Kražiai. A stage finish of the EV race Ignitis ON: Get to know Lithuania! was planned in Kražiai. For the first time, a hydrogen-powered vehicle took part in the race, and drivers were able to compete in a driving efficiency class.

Each year, when planning the race route, the organisers choose the most interesting places in Lithuania to visit. Kražiai, which is in Kelmė district, is not an exception. Founded more than 700 years ago, it is one of the oldest cities in Lithuania with rich history. Additionally, Kelmė district is on the precipice of becoming a green energy hub. Here, Ignitis Renewables is currently constructing the largest wind farm in the Baltics.

“We are implementing one of the most important projects for national energy independence in Kelmė district. Its success depends on our efforts as well as on the good will of the people living nearby. That’s why we find it very important to build connections with local communities, strengthen them, help take care of the land and be a good neighbour to each other,” said Emilija Musteikytė, Community Projects Coordinator at Ignitis Renewables, after visiting the event.

A unique educational platform of Ignitis Renewables was brought to the event. It is designed to educate the public on the topic of renewable energy. The attendees learned about the onshore and offshore wind as well as solar power generation. A virtual tour inside a wind turbine received a very notable interest.

In total 44 wind turbines will be installed at the wind farm in Kelmė district. The total potential capacity of the wind farm is 300 megawatts (MW), and it will generate enough electricity to power 250 thousand households in Lithuania, an area similar in size to Kaunas county. All wind turbines will be erected this year, and the wind farm’s COD is expected in 2025.

Ignitis Renewables, an international green energy company, is developing the first offshore wind farm in the Baltics, which will be called Curonian Nord. This project is particularly important to the Lithuanian energy sector and is named in the honour of Curonians, a tribe that used to live on the shores of the Baltic Sea. The name is also associated with one of the most beautiful and unique locations in Lithuania and the region, the Curonian Spit.

“The development of offshore wind technologies is strategically important in the global pursuit of energy transition. In Lithuania these technologies have a huge potential. The Curonian Nord project will significantly contribute to the green future of the Lithuanian energy sector. It will also contribute to our purpose to create a 100% green and secure energy ecosystem for current and future generations,” said Darius Maikštėnas, CEO of Ignitis Group.

According to him, a successful implementation of the offshore project off the coast of Lithuania is fundamental to the country’s energy independence. Thanks to this project, a significant increase in local renewable electricity generation will eliminate the dependence on electricity imports, promote the region’s transition to a sustainable green energy hub and contribute to the plans to turn the Baltic states into energy exporters to Central and Western Europe.

The project will boost the economy of the coastal region and the entire country and support the local communities

According to Anne-Marie Roikjær, Project Director, as pioneers in the Baltic states, we will create an offshore wind competence hub in the region. “The significant investments related to the project and new high-skilled jobs will promote the economy of the coastal region and the entire country,” says A. Roikjær.

According to her, Lithuania will probably see an influx of new companies which will supply goods and provide services for the project, which in turn will create even more jobs and open more possibilities for the businesses. The coastal region has everything you need to establish a renewable energy research hub, attract partners from universities and R&D institutes.

By attracting private investors to Lithuania, creating new jobs and concluding transactions with local companies, the offshore wind project will directly benefit the coastal communities. Ignitis Renewables will also support their activities directly.

“During the construction of the project, we will look for ways to improve the quality of life of the communities, and after the offshore wind farm becomes operational, we will pay a generation fee. The aggregated funds will be allocated to improve the quality of life of the Lithuanian coastal communities and promote the economy. We will employ these measures to have a positive impact on the environment surrounding the wind farm now and in the future,” says the Project Director.

Focus on the protection of the Baltic Sea’s ecosystem

By developing the first offshore wind farm in the Baltics, Ignitis Renewables is expanding the green energy sector while protecting the environment. By carrying out a thorough environmental impact assessment (EIA), the company is ensuring that the project will contribute to the implementation of Lithuania’s energy goals and the protection of the Baltic Sea’s ecosystem.

“Green energy is closely related to nature and its preservation. The protection of the Baltic Sea’s ecosystem is one of the most important goals set out in our sustainability strategy. We will adhere to the best international practices to strike a balance between environmental protection and clean electricity generation. We will consult with highly qualified experts from Lithuania and other countries during all stages of the project’s development,” states A. Roikjær.

She notes that the offshore wind farm and its infrastructure will be designed and developed in accordance with the requirements of all relevant environmental legal acts.

About Curonian Nord

It is estimated that the 700 megawatt (MW) Curonian Nord wind farm, located in the Baltic Sea, will generate around 3 terawatt-hours (TWh) of green electricity per year, which would cover around a quarter of Lithuania’s current electricity demand.

The maritime area designated for the offshore wind farm is approximately 120 square kilometres. It is at least 37 km away from the shore and approximately 50 km away from the Port of Klaipėda. There will be up to 55 wind turbines with a maximum height of up to 350 metres. These parameters will depend on the findings of the studies, the environmental impact assessment, the adopted technologies and other conditions.

Based on the currently available information, the capacity and the location of the wind farm, its distance from the shore as well as the sea depth are all suitable for developing offshore capacities and correspond to the scopes and conditions of other offshore wind farm projects in Europe.

The project is led by Ignitis Renewables with partner Ocean Winds. More information about the project is available on the website curoniannord.com.

The first wind turbine has been erected in the largest wind farm under construction in the Baltics by Ignitis Renewables, an international green energy company. It is 240 metres high and has an installed capacity of 7 megawatts (MW). These are the largest and most powerful wind turbines being built by the company. All 44 wind turbines in the Kelmė district are to be installed by the end of the year.

“We are now in the most intense and complex period of the wind farm construction, which will last until the end of this year. We are carrying out different tasks at the same time in different parts of the project. We are building roads, laying cables, installing the grid connection infrastructure, pouring the foundations for the next phase of the wind turbine construction, transporting the parts of the wind turbines from the Port of Klaipėda and installing the wind turbines when they arrive at the location,” says Giedrius Meškelė, Head of Renewables Lithuania at Ignitis Renewables.

According to him, the Kelmė wind farm will be equipped with wind turbines manufactured by Nordex. The installation will continue until the end of the year with commissioning taking place at the same time. Most of the wind turbines will be 240 metres high (including the tower and the blades) with blade rotation diameter of up to 163 metres. One wind turbine will have an installed capacity of 7 MW.

Installation of a wind turbine is a complex and precise process. Once the access road and foundations are prepared, the bulky parts of the wind turbines, including tower elements, nacelle, blades, are brought in. The first components of the wind turbines started moving out of the Port of Klaipėda at the end of March and will be delivered by the end of the year. Abnormal loads are escorted by the police and transported at night in order to avoid inconveniencing other road users and local residents.

The commercial operation of the wind farm is expected to start in 2025. The total potential capacity of the wind farm is 300 MW and the electricity it generates will be enough to cover the demand of 250,000 households in Lithuania, which is equivalent to an area the size of the Kaunas district.

Kelmė district is one of the most developed centres in Lithuania in terms of renewable energy and the wind farm of Ignitis Renewables, currently under construction, is another important step in expanding the company’s portfolio of wind farm projects in Lithuania and increasing its green generation capacity.

The investments in the Kelmė wind farm, including the acquisition and construction costs, are expected to reach around EUR 550 million.