Van Oord joins development of 600 MW offshore wind in Estonia

Van Oord and Saare Wind Energy have agreed to mutually develop the 600 MW Saaremaa offshore wind farm. Saare Wind Energy is an Estonian developer involved in developing the offshore wind farm, covering 154 square kilometers, south-west of the Estonian island Saaremaa.

The project will feature 100 turbines of 6 MW each 10 to 27 kilometers off the western coast of the island. The wind turbines will be constructed 100 metres from one another.

Saare Wind Energy started the development of the project in 2015 on the basis of a thorough analysis and ample spatial planning experiences. The next phase in the development process includes the start of the Environmental Impact Assessment which will be initiated after receiving a positive decision from the Estonian authorities. The parties are convinced that the combined knowledge base will facilitate the successful development of the project. The discussions that lead to the agreement were supported by the Estonian Investment Agency, which demonstrates the commitment of the Estonian authorities with respect to renewable developments.

The Saaremaa site offers an excellent opportunity for the construction of an offshore wind farm because of its location in the Baltic Sea in relation to the main wind direction. The offshore wind farm can act as a foothold for the development of an international Baltic Grid. The Saaremaa offshore wind farm is one of the parks under development in Estonia. Van Oord and Saare Wind Energy look forward to the cooperation of local and national Estonian stakeholders as this is a precondition for the upcoming permit process and the subsequent construction of the project.