Lithuanian Energy Minister Zygimantas Vaiciunas has said that if Lithuania’s parliament, the Seimas, approves amendments to rules on a bid for tenders on the development of a second 700 MW offshore wind farm in the Baltic Sea, the tender could be launched in April and a winner of the bid announced by year’s end.
The ministry recently proposed a temporary suspension on the ongoing bid for tenders, which was announced last November, so as to revise its terms and conditions.
Minister Vaiciunas says that the government is expected to decide on the suspension sometime next week.
“If the Seimas approves these changes, the auction should resume as early as April,” the minister told journalists after a meeting with Seimas Speaker Saulius Skvernelis on Wednesday. “There are certain procedural nuances, and this auction should take place in 2025.”
“The deadlines are tight, but it certainly makes sense and is worthwhile to spend another four or five months in delaying the tender if we can save significant amounts of money for consumers,” the minister added.
The European Commission approved a EUR 193 million scheme to support Lithuanian offshore windfarms in October 2023, insisting that such aid must be granted by the end of this year and no later.
Lithuania’s state-owned Ignitis Group energy company has already announced its intention to take part in the bid for tenders, while Poland’s largest oil company, Orlen, is reportedly considering to take part, as well.
Lithuania’s plan is to install two 700 MW wind farms in the Baltic Sea by 2023, with the two farms expected to satisfy around one-half of Lithuania’s current needs for electricity.
Source: BNS
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