Project information

According to the county-wide spatial plan established in 2017 for the maritime area bordering Pärnu County, areas in the Gulf of Riga are defined wherein offshore wind farms can be developed. In 2021, Utilitas submitted an application for a superficies licence for the Saare-Liivi Offshore Wind Park, and the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority (TTJA) initiated the superficies licence procedure and environmental impact assessment (EIA) in the same year. In 2022, the superficies licence procedure was also initiated for the offshore export cable route.

Following a comprehensive environmental impact assessment process, the EIA report was approved in August 2025.

In early 2026, TTJA granted the superficies licences for the Initial Area of the Saare-Liivi Offshore Wind Park and for the offshore export cable. In spring 2026, the Environmental Board issued the water permit.

The planned total capacity of the Initial Area of the Saare-Liivi Offshore Wind Park is up to 1,600 MW, with an expected annual electricity production of approximately 6.7 TWh. The offshore wind farm will contribute to increasing renewable energy production in Estonia and support the country’s long-term energy and climate objectives.

Tuulikud

Cofunded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or The European Climate, Environment and Infrastructure Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. 

Electric wind turbines planned

The most common manufacturers of offshore wind turbines in the world are currently SiemensGamesa, Vestas, and GE Renewable Energy. These are the only manufacturers of offshore wind turbines that meet the requirements established in Europe and are certified accordingly. 

The output of the planned offshore wind turbies offered:

  • Vestas V236-15.0 MW™, with a rotor diameter of 236 meters, a peak height of 270 m, and a power of 15 MW, 
  • SiemensGamesa SG 14-236 DD, with a rotor diameter of 236 meters, a peak height of 270 meters, and a power of 14 MW, 
  • GE Haliade-X 14 MW, with a rotor diameter of 220 meters, a peak height of 270 meters, and a power of 14 MW. 

In recent years, wind turbine technology has developed by leaps and bounds and, as a result, we expect that more powerful and efficient wind turbines will be available on the market by the time the planned offshore wind farm is built. The actual number, model, and placement of the wind turbines will be determined during the superficies licence procedure, including the EIA and the preparation of the work project. 

The type of foundation to be used

Different types of foundations are used in the construction of offshore wind turbines. The most common are monopile and gravity foundations, so tripod and jacket foundations are somewhat less commonly used. 

The submarine cable system and connection to the main grid of the offshore wind farm

In order to operate the offshore wind farm and transmit the produced electricity to the power grid, it is inevitable to establish a system of submarine cables and a connection to the main grid.

A total of three offshore export cables are planned. The existing Kihnu submarine cable landing point is considered a potential landing point for the offshore wind farm’s export cables. In addition, at least one offshore substation will be built within the wind farm, where the power cables from the wind turbines will be connected and the voltage will be transformed to a level suitable for connection to the electricity grid.

Onshore, the offshore wind farm will be connected to the Estonian main grid via the Harku–Lihula–Sindi 330 kV transmission line. In the first half of 2026, the City of Pärnu issued building permits for both the onshore export cable and the onshore substation required for the grid connection.

2017
With Order No. 1-1/17/152, the county-wide spatial plan was established for the maritime area bordering Pärnu County, which defines the potential development area of wind energy.
2021
On the basis of Utilitas' request, the TTJA (Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority) initiated the superficies licence procedure for the construction of an offshore wind farm in the sea area of Pärnu County in the Gulf of Riga, decision No. 1-7/21-521.
2022-2025
As part of the superficies licence procedure, both the environmental impact assessment and other necessary research are carried out. At the same time, the detailed technical and financial preparation of the project is on-going.
2025
The environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the Saare-Liivi initial development area and export cable corridor has been declared compliant with the requirements.
2026
2026 Superficies licence and water permit granted for the Saare-Liivi Offshore Wind Park Initial Area and export cable route.
2026-2029
The design and construction of the wind farm
2030
Completion of the first stage of the wind farm and transmission of electricity in the capacity corresponding to the connections.

The nearest wind turbines are located: 

  • From Kihnu island – more than 10 km 
  • From the coast in Tõstamaa and Lääneranna – more than 20 km 
  • From the coast in Häädemeeste – more than 40 km 
  • From the city of Kuressaare – more than 65 km 
  • From the city beach in Pärnu – more than 50 km 
  • From Ruhnu island – more than 30 km 
Saare-Liivi meretuulepark