Ignitis Renewables, a global green energy company, has initiated the preparation of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) program for Lithuania’s inaugural offshore wind farm. The company plans to base the EIA on this program, emphasizing their commitment to minimizing the environmental impact of the project.
Anne-Marie Roikjær, the Project Director for the offshore wind farm, highlighted the company’s dedication to achieving a balance between clean electricity generation and nature preservation. She stated, “When we develop renewable energy projects, the environment is inevitably affected, but to achieve a balance between clean electricity generation and nature protection, we will take all appropriate measures to minimize the environmental impact of the offshore wind farm, and when the impact cannot be avoided, we will implement compensatory measures to improve the state of the environment.”
Lina Žibienė, Head of Environment and Permitting at Ignitis Renewables, outlined the objectives of the environmental impact assessment. These include identifying and evaluating the impact of the planned wind farm on various environmental components such as land surface, air, water, landscape, and biodiversity, with special attention given to protected animal and plant species and areas. Additionally, the assessment will consider the impact on public health and other social aspects.
The EIA report, commissioned by Ignitis Renewables, will be conducted by the Coastal Research and Planning Institute. Ignitis Renewables anticipates receiving the final decision on the environmental impact of the offshore wind farm by the end of 2025.
The planned offshore wind farm in the Baltic Sea will cover an area of approximately 120 square kilometers, situated at least 36 kilometers from the shore and about 60 kilometers from the Port of Klaipėda. The project area features water depths ranging from 28 meters to 48 meters, falling within the zone of average annual wind speeds of 9–10 m/s. Ignitis Renewables envisions installing up to 55 wind turbines with a maximum height of 350 meters.
Ongoing activities, including wind speed measurements, geotechnical and geophysical surveys of the seabed, and other preparations, are currently underway to support the EIA process for this significant offshore wind initiative.