In a recent development in the procurement process for the Kelme 2 and Kelme 3 wind farms in Lithuania, Enefit Green, the prominent renewable energy developer, has taken a significant step by reporting alleged misconduct by one of the bidders to the Central Investigation Department of the Special Investigation Service of the Republic of Lithuania (STT).
This move follows an internal investigation conducted by Enefit Green's Lithuanian subsidiary, Enefit Green UAB, which uncovered concerning allegations related to the bidding process.
The reported misconduct is linked to a Polish construction company, and Enefit Green has not taken these allegations lightly. In response to the allegations, STT has initiated a pre-trial investigation under Article 227, paragraph 3 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Lithuania, which specifically pertains to the offering of a bribe.
Enefit Green revealed that on the 5th of October, STT detained a representative of the Polish construction company in question, marking a significant development in the ongoing investigation.
The Kelme 2 and Kelme 3 wind farms, with capacities of 155MW and 149MW, respectively, are vital renewable energy projects in Lithuania, featuring a total of 49 turbines. The allegations of misconduct have cast a shadow over the procurement process, raising concerns about the integrity of the bidding process.
Andres Maasing, Chief Development Officer of Enefit Green, expressed the company's unwavering commitment to ethical business practices, stating, “Enefit Green has zero tolerance towards any unethical and fraudulent behavior, whether it involves our employees or partner organizations. All our partners are expected to adhere to high ethical standards and follow Enefit Green's Code of Ethics for Business Partners. Any allegations of corruptive behavior will be assessed and investigated impartially and reported to the relevant authorities when misconduct or unethical behavior is suspected or identified.”