Local media: Saaremaa could receive €1.7 billion offshore wind farm
According to Saarte Hääl, Saare Wind Energy OÜ is planning to build an offshore wind farm with 100 turbines near Saaremaa.
The company sent the Ministry of Economic Affairs a request to build the park 10-27 kilometers off of Saaremaa's western coast, covering an area as large as 100 square kilometers Saarte Hääl said.
According to the business plan, the venture should cost around 1.7 billion euros.
The company has remained tight-lipped, but according to initial estimates, the park could begin to produce power in 2022.
Estonia has a number of wind farm projects planned and already under construction, including 30-turbine park in Ida-Viru County, which was announced less than two month ago. When complete, it should be the most powerful wind power producer in the Baltics.
The share of renewable energy in total electricity production in Estonia hit 17.3 percent in the first quarter, very close to the 17.6-percent-goal for 2020. Wind power makes up 43 percent of all renewable sources, but government subsidies are running out due to the fast pace of growth in the renewable energy sector.
Editor: J.M. Laats