Estonia’s transmission system operator, Elering, has submitted the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) program for the planned marine section of the Estonia–Latvia electricity interconnection to the Estonian Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority (TTJA) for approval.
This new cross-border electricity link will be the fourth interconnection between Estonia and Latvia. The marine section will begin in southwestern Saaremaa and extend to Latvia. The submarine cable will consist of up to three 330-kilovolt alternating current power cables and one fiber-optic communication cable, with a planned transmission capacity of up to 1,000 megawatts (MW).
To ensure a comprehensive assessment, the process will include a wide range of scientific studies and expert analyses, covering underwater archaeological surveys, detection of unexploded ordnance, seabed geology and sediment composition, water quality and dispersion of suspended matter, marine flora and fauna, habitats and bird populations, underwater noise, electromagnetic fields and thermal radiation, impacts on fisheries and maritime transport, effects on protected natural areas and sites, and climate impact assessments.
All studies will be conducted by sector-specific experts. The EIA program will be prepared by Skepast & Puhkim OÜ, while Elering is the project developer and applicant for the building permit. The TTJA will organize and oversee the approval process.
As this is a cross-border infrastructure project, potential transboundary impacts during both the installation and operational phases must also be assessed. The Estonian Ministry of Climate will lead the cross-border EIA procedures and international coordination.
The EIA program is available for public consultation on the TTJA website, with feedback and proposals accepted from July 7 to July 28. A public hearing to present the program and discuss submissions will be held on August 7, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Lümanda House in Saaremaa.
Once the EIA program is approved, separate public procurement procedures will be launched to carry out the required studies and compile the EIA report, which is expected to be completed in 2027.
Source: BNS
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