The transmission system operators (TSOs) of eight Baltic Sea countries have issued a joint call for enhanced cross-border collaboration in the development of offshore wind energy and the necessary grid infrastructure. The initiative aims to address the substantial potential for offshore wind generation in the Baltic Sea, which stands at around 93 gigawatts (GW), compared to less than 5GW of installed capacity today.
A report detailing the proposal was presented to the ministers of the Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan (BEMIP) during their meeting in Warsaw. The document, backed by the TSOs from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Sweden, outlines a vision for a more integrated approach to offshore wind energy generation and distribution.
The document, part of the Baltic Offshore Grid Initiative, calls for a coordinated roadmap to maximize offshore wind capacity in the region and ensure efficient integration into national grids. The paper addresses critical considerations, including the protection of maritime infrastructure and safety standards, as well as the anticipated economic benefits such as industrial investments and job creation linked to offshore wind projects.
“We are seeking to build on the strong momentum of the Vilnius Declaration, which mandates greater regional cooperation to unlock the full potential of offshore wind in the Baltic Sea,” said a representative of the TSOs.
The Vilnius Declaration, signed in April 2024, set a target for the region to have 26.7GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 and nearly 45GW by 2040.
In its proposal, the TSOs explore various electricity connection options between EU member states, presenting these in a detailed Baltic Sea grid map. They also analyze issues such as the potential wake effects of wind farms that could reduce performance and examine how rising project costs could be addressed through equitable cost-sharing models. Additionally, the TSOs propose measures to streamline supply chain bottlenecks through standardization and coordinated scheduling.
To support these efforts, the TSOs recommend improved regional planning in line with the Nordel Master Plan, enhanced mobilization of private investment, and targeted EU funding to support offshore wind projects in the region.
The collaboration highlights the region’s ambition to scale up renewable energy production while addressing the challenges posed by interconnected infrastructure and rising project costs.
