Posts Tagged ‘energy’
50% of survey respondents believe an offshore wind park will have a positive impact on Latvia’s economy
The latest survey data show that public awareness in Latvia about wind park development plans and energy security issues is gradually increasing. For example, 65% of respondents in a survey conducted by Norstat Latvia report that they are at least somewhat informed about the plans to develop offshore wind park in Latvia. At the same time, society increasingly supports a “moderate” development approach – more and more residents believe that Latvia should become an energy-neutral country and produce only as much electricity as it consumes domestically.
A survey commissioned as part of the ELWIND project shows that public awareness of the joint Latvian–Estonian initiative to develop an offshore wind park in the Baltic Sea has increased. This year, 65% of respondents say they are aware of the project (61% last year). Most people have heard about the project but are not familiar with all the details, while only a small share report having a very good understanding of it.
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Originally published on 9 Mar
Read MoreIgnitis Renewables marks record year with six projects reaching commercial operation in 2025
In 2025, Ignitis Renewables brought 714 megawatts (MW) of new renewable capacity online across the Baltics and Poland – the strongest delivery year in the company’s history. Six large-scale wind and solar projects entered commercial operation, reinforcing Ignitis Renewables’ position as one of the region’s leading renewable energy developers.
“In 2025, we delivered renewable capacity at scale and at speed. The projects commissioned last year significantly increase domestic electricity generation and strengthen the region’s energy independence laying the foundation for an energy abundant ecosystem and globally competitive prices for consumers,” says Frank Oomen, CEO of Ignitis Renewables.
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Originally published on 5 Mar
Read MoreNuclear option Danish opposition frontrunner casts doubt on energy project
The leading opposition party standing in Denmark’s general election on 24 March is suggesting that the 61 billion kroner (€816 million) in subsidies pledged by the Danish state last month to build Bornholm Energy Island would be better spent supporting the development of atomic power. The proposal, put forward by Alex Vanopslagh, the leader of the Liberal Alliance, calls for taking a total of 120 billion kroner in subsidies for renewable-power projects and using the money fund construction of as many as eight atomic-energy plants over the next 15 years.
Though Bornholm Energy Island, which encompasses two offshore windfarms and an onshore power converter, is a Danish project, Germany is its biggest benefactor: in exchange for footing 70% of the bill it will get most of the power the windfarms generate. The setup is one that the Danes worked hard to sell to Berlin, and would make it hard for Mr Vanopslagh to make good on his proposal without Denmark losing face. This is something he is well aware of, suggesting the purpose of making it has more to do with promoting his party’s position that Denmark should overturn its ban on atomic energy than it does with sinking an energy island.
Read MoreCollaboration towards accelerating European hydrogen economy progresses – Finland and Germany sign Joint Declaration of Intent on enhancing hydrogen economy collaboration
Hydrogen Cluster Finland welcomes further progress in bilateral relations between Finland and Germany, and the signing of a Joint Declaration of Intent on hydrogen economy collaboration between the two countries, signed by Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Katherina Reiche and Minister of Climate and Environment Sari Multala on Wednesday.
The Joint Declaration presents Finland and Germany’s shared vision for cooperation on hydrogen infrastructure, hydrogen technology development, and investments in the sector. The Declaration is a strong signal of the need for cross border collaboration to secure investments in the hydrogen economy. Hydrogen economy value chains are never local – they are always international and therefore benefits of investments are shared across companies, countries and geographies.
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Originally published on 19 Feb
Read MoreAll foundations installed at the Baltic Power offshore wind farm
Baltic Power, a joint venture offshore wind project of ORLEN Group and Northland Power, completed the main installation works of all 78 key elements of foundations – monopiles for turbines and offshore substations. Over 20 vessels and 500 crew members and contractor representatives took part in this part of the installation campaign.
Installation of offshore foundations is an enormous challenge; we performed a campaign that was unpreceded in Poland in terms of scope and scale of works. Vessel crews operated precisely with heavy loads, reaching 1300-1700 tons and 100 meters in length. Therefore, multiple operations were a single-attempt work leaving no space for mistakes. Moreover, they were performed in challenging sea and weather conditions. That’s why it is such a noticeable milestone and a moment of pride for all of us – comments Maciej Stryjecki, CEO and the President of the Management Board of Baltic Power.
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Originally published on 18 Feb
Read MoreEquinor and Polenergia Begin Offshore Construction in the Baltic Sea
Equinor and Polenergia, the developers of the Bałtyk 2 and Bałtyk 3 offshore wind projects, are launching the offshore installation campaign. This is one of the largest and most complex infrastructure projects currently underway in the Baltic Sea, marking a new chapter in the development of Poland’s offshore energy sector.
The scope for 2026 includes the installation of 100 monopiles, transition pieces, offshore substations components, subsea cables and supporting infrastructure. In 2026 alone, more than 20 vessels will be engaged in the construction work, including one of the world’s largest installation vessels, Thialf, alongside a fleet of highly specialised units.
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Originally published on 17 Feb
Read MoreMirova and Evecon’s Baltic Renewable Energy Platform (BREP) launches Estonia’s largest solar‑plus‑storage hybrid project, signs first-of-its-kind Flexibility & Power Purchase Agreement in the Baltics with Pure Energy, and secures long-term financing from Swedbank
Mirova, an affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers dedicated to sustainable investing, and Evecon announce a series of major milestones supporting the acceleration of Estonia’s energy transition, through their jointly owned Baltic Renewable Energy Platform OÜ (“BREP”):
- Hybridization of the 77.5 MWp Kirikmäe Solar Photovoltaic (PV) plant with a 55 MW / 250 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS),
- Execution of the first Flexibility & Power Purchase Agreement (FPPA) ever signed in the Baltics, with Pure Energy GmbH, and
- Completion of a new c.€85 million long‑term financing package from Swedbank.
Together, these developments demonstrate how combining renewable generation with energy storage and long term optimization tools can unlock new value for the Baltic energy market and support Estonia’s long term energy independence.
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Originally published on 16 Feb
Read MoreStudents Join the “Setting the Course for Offshore” Program
Students from technical schools in the Pomeranian region, specializing in renewable energy, have embarked on a unique educational journey into the offshore wind industry. Launched by Equinor and Polenergia, the “Setting the Course for Offshore” program opens the door for young people to the world of offshore wind – one of the fastest-growing sectors of the Polish economy.
The program is delivered in cooperation with partners: Pomeranian Employers, the Polish Offshore Wind Energy Chamber, Rumia Invest Park, and the Pomeranian Offshore Renewable Energy Competence Centre.
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Originally published on 9 Feb
Read More”Offshore Power Plant” Baltic Sea significantly increases power generation
The offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea fed around 5,400 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity into the eastern German extra-high-voltage grid via the 50Hertz grid connection systems last year – about ten percent more than in the previous year. Over the course of 2025, the six currently operating offshore wind farms generated enough electricity to cover the annual consumption of the city of Leipzig and its surrounding region.
The reason for this increase is the continuous expansion of wind energy off the coast of the island of Rügen. Since last year, the Baltic Eagle wind farm (approx. 450 MW) has been feeding its full capacity into the grid via the Ostwind 2 connection system. Prior to that, the Arcadis Ost 1 wind farm (approx. 250 MW) went online. Wind yield amounted to 4,300 GWh in 2023 and 4,900 GWh in 2024.
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Originally published on 9 Feb
Read MoreDoldrums Offshore wind in Sweden is losing speed
Eolus, a Swedish renewable-energy firm, announced last week that it had given up all but one of its offshore wind projects in the country. The decision was not due to a lack of wind resources; starting in 2021, Eolus began expanding its capacity after evaluating that offshore wind would be necessary—and sufficient—for Stockholm to achieve its power-production targets. Eolus eventually built up a portfolio of projects with a planned capacity of 8.8MW. It blames a slow pace of electrification, as well as regulatory barriers and a lack of political support for making offshore wind unprofitable.
Eolus is not alone in its assessment. Earlier this month, RWS, a German firm, sold its Swedish offshore activities, stating that it was looking for a more dynamic market. On paper, at least, Sweden fits that bill: it is already one of Europe’s largest onshore producers, and, with coastlines along both the North and Baltic seas and an estimated potential in excess of 100MW, it could also be one of its largest offshore producers. That it is not on its way to being so stems, in part, from a 2024 decision by the government to cancel 13 wind farms planned for the Baltic, totalling 32MW and €47 billion in investments.
The cancellation was made due to concerns that Baltic windfarms would just be another target for Russian shenanigans, and that the decision was made on the advice of the military. The industry says that does not explain why Sweden fell behind in the first place. Sweden, it points out has 0.2GW of offshore windfarms, while neighbouring Denmark has up 2.6GW up and running. It also points out that the other countries of the Baltic have been able to balance security concerns with energy needs—and indeed incorporate them. Domestically, the 13 cancelled projects, all of them to have been built in the south, would have been a way for Sweden to balance its grid; currently, producers in the north, where there is a surplus, may only send a limited amount of power to the south, where consumption outstrips demand. By removing the targets, Sweden may be shooting itself in the foot.
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