The Estonian government has granted a superficies licence to Saare Wind Energy, marking a significant step toward the country’s first offshore wind farm, a project planned off the island of Saaremaa with a capacity of up to 1.4 gigawatts (GW).
The licence gives the developer the right to occupy and use the seabed for the construction and operation of the wind farm and related infrastructure. While the decision brings the project closer to realisation, Saare Wind Energy must still obtain a construction permit before building can begin.
“This is the first building permit in the history of Estonian offshore wind farms – it is an important step towards the production of clean energy,” said Jaanus Uiga, Deputy Secretary General for Energy and Mineral Resources at the Ministry of Climate Change.
The proposed wind farm would consist of up to 100 turbines, positioned at least 11 kilometres off the west coast of Saaremaa. Commercial operations could begin in the early 2030s, subject to regulatory and permitting milestones.
The superficies licence is valid for 50 years and allows the company to apply for additional permits, including a construction permit from the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority and an environmental permit for the special use of water from the Environmental Board.
Saare Wind Energy must submit a construction permit application within two years of the licence being granted. The licence itself is valid for up to five years during the development phase, after which an operating permit would be required.
The project is one of several under consideration as Estonia moves to expand offshore wind capacity. Government authorities have initiated permitting procedures for 11 other offshore wind farms.
