Estonia's efforts to allocate its third designated area for a Baltic Sea wind farm, the Saare 3 sea area, concluded without any bids submitted, announced the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority (CPTRA).
The auction, which had a starting price of EUR 301,500 (USD 325,620) for the 20.1 square kilometer (7.76 sq mi) area, saw participation from qualified companies Deep Wind Offshore AS and OU Utilitas Wind, but neither submitted an offer.
“We are disappointed by the lack of bids for the Saare 3 sea area,” stated a spokesperson from CPTRA. “Despite initial interest and the participation of qualified bidders, the auction did not receive any offers.”
Earlier this year, CPTRA had received 10 applications from four different bidders for various offshore wind capacity areas, including those won by Deep Wind Offshore AS for Saare 2.1 and Saare 2.2. These areas are set to host significant wind turbine installations, contributing to Estonia's renewable energy goals.
The outcome of the Saare 3 auction reflects uncertainties in the offshore wind market and the challenges of developing new capacities in the Baltic Sea region.