The Saare 1 Offshore Wind Consortium has appointed Nikon Vidjajev as development project director, as Estonia’s first floating wind project moves into its next phase following regulatory progress.
The appointment comes shortly after Estonia’s Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority launched superficies licence proceedings and initiated an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the Saare 1 maritime area in the Baltic Sea.
Vidjajev, who is based in Tallinn, brings a multidisciplinary background in electrical engineering and oceanography. His experience includes the development of marine technologies such as autonomous wave sensors and ocean energy converters, as well as involvement in international R&D and offshore permitting.
The consortium said his appointment would support “scientific rigour and real-world execution” as the project advances. Vidjajev has previously worked across both public and private sectors, with a focus on offshore energy programmes, environmental analysis and project funding.
The Saare 1 initiative, located off Estonia’s western coast, is being developed by a consortium comprising French renewable energy firm Oxan Energy, regional offshore specialist Ocean Connect Energy, and Dutch financial adviser SNOW BV.
Earlier this month, the project was awarded the Seanergy Award for International Cooperation in recognition of its cross-border collaboration and innovation in offshore wind energy.
The consortium said Vidjajev’s leadership is expected to strengthen the project’s technical and environmental capabilities as Estonia seeks to scale up its offshore renewable energy capacity.
