Haskoning to undertake further design work on offshore windfarms in Estonia and Latvia

The company has been awarded a three-year contract by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia to prepare a general concept for the two windfarms in the Baltic, and develop this into an integral and comprehensive technical design for the ELWIND project.

ELWIND is a joint Estonian and Latvian state-run offshore wind project aiming to increase the region’s independence by increasing renewable energy production. Haskoning has been involved in previous development stages of the ELWIND project, including carrying out a cable study. 

Haskoning’s work will include layout optimisation, transmission grid studies and integrating site investigations and environmental assessment. Haskoning will execute the project together with partner Empire Engineering, which is responsible for designing the foundations of the wind turbines.

ELWIND said Haskoning’s preFEED work on the initial technical design, conceptual design and the technical design for ELWIND will see the consultant develop a general technical concept that will define the scope of the offshore windfarms and outline the next steps. The work will include an analysis of available literature, preparation of an updated technical basis for the project, an assessment of site conditions, and an evaluation of potential grid connection options.

The objective of the technical design phase is to consolidate into a single report the results of the comprehensive grid connection prestudy, environmental impact assessment studies, site data investigations, and the preFEED phase, taking into account all information obtained from the completed studies. Together, the preFEED and technical design phases will provide a comprehensive, data‑driven technical foundation for the development of the windfarms.

Estonia and Latvia intend to increase renewable energy generation and are focusing, among other sectors, on the large-scale generation possible with offshore wind.