Lithuania launches second offshore wind tender for 700 MW of capacity 

The government in Lithuania confirmed in late 2023 it would launch the second tender for offshore wind capacity after it secured approval from the European Commission for €193M (US$203M) in state aid.

The first offshore wind tender in the country was won by Ignitis Renewables, a subsidiary of a renewables-focused integrated utility Ignitis Group, and Ocean Winds.

Speaking at the time the announcement was made about the second tender, Vice Minister of Energy Daiva Garbaliauskaitė said, “Development of offshore windfarms is gaining momentum. We are aiming for two offshore windfarms, which will meet up to half of Lithuania’s current electricity demand. This would be a significant increase in national electricity generation.”

The successful tenderer for the second offshore windfarm in the country will be required to provide at least €5M for environmental protection in the Lithuanian maritime area. 

Once the offshore windfarm is built, the developer will be obliged to make an annual contribution of €1 per MWh of electricity generated to municipal communities close to the windfarm. Preliminary estimates suggest that this could amount to around €3M a year.

A 135 km² area in the Baltic has been identified for the second, 700-MW offshore windfarm, approximately 30 km from the coast offshore Palanga. 

Developers seeking to respond to the tender have until 15 April 2024 to do so. A provisional winner is expected to be announced by 27 May 2024. The area allocated for the windfarm will be surveyed by the state. Bidders will be eligible for a 15-year contract.