European energy company Ignitis Renewables, along with its partner Ocean Winds, has been selected by Lithuania’s National Energy Regulatory Council (NERC) to build a 700MW wind farm, the first offshore project in the country.

NERC approved Ignitis and Ocean Winds’ project after it completed screening for compliance with national security interests.

The partnership had been provisionally selected by the regulatory board in July 2023.

The wind project will be located 37km offshore and 60km from the port of Klaipėda.

Water depths range between 28m and 48m and average wind speeds are 9–10m per second. The project will use 35–50 turbines with a maximum height of 300–350m.

The turbine parameters will depend on further studies, environmental impact assessments and the technologies adopted.

The 700MW project will generate three terawatt-hours of clean electricity annually, meeting 25% of the country’s current electricity demand.

Ignitis Group's strategy is to build an offshore wind portfolio in Lithuania and the Baltic states, significantly contributing to the company’s goal of achieving 4–5GW of installed renewable capacity by 2030.

With approval from NERC now secured, Ignitis Renewables and Ocean Winds must set up a joint venture company in the country within three months. The new company will be responsible for managing and implementing the project.

It expects to be awarded a development and operation permit and the right to use the maritime area to generate electricity for 41 years.

Ignitis Group CEO Darius Maikštėnas stated: “The offshore wind farm we are developing is a significant step towards Lithuania’s energy independence. This project will significantly increase local electricity generation from renewable energy sources and thus ensure lower dependence on electricity imports.

“It is the largest energy project in Lithuania, which will be the first country from the Baltic states to have an operating offshore wind farm.”