Environmental impact assessment 

An environmental impact assessment is mandatory when planning any offshore wind farm facilities. In the course of the environmental impact assessment, comprehensive studies are carried out to identify the possible impact of the wind farm on wildlife, as well as human health, well-being, and property. In the course of the studies, information is collected and analysed, for example, about feeding areas, migration corridors, and the migration routes of fish, birds, and bats. The study of the seabed biota is carried out and the socio-economic aspects associated with the construction of a wind farm are evaluated, etc. The results of the studies are an important input for decisions, such as where, how many, and whether or not wind turbines can be built. 

The environmental impact assessment program is prepared by the environmental consulting company Roheplaan OÜ in cooperation with Hendrikson & Ko OÜ. Several leading experts in the field, both from Estonia and abroad, have been involved in the preparation of the EIA program. The lead EIA expert is licensed EIA expert Riin Kutsar (EIA license No. KMH0131).

The environmental impact assessment report of the SaareLiivi offshore wind farm has been completed, and is sent to the public display by the TTJA.

Keskkonnamõju

The environmental impact assessment report summary of the SaareLiivi offshore wind farm in English

Survey Download (in estonian)
Appendix 3.1 Underwater noise impact assessment of the Saare-Liiv wind farm Taltech, Mechanics of Fluids and Structures RG, 2024 Download
Appendix 3.2 Water quality; water column physical and other analysis in the SL area Taltech, 2024 Download
Appendix 3.3 Utilitas hydrodynamics cumulative effects Taltech, 2024 Download
Appendix 3.4 Water quality study of Saare-Liivi wind park Estonian Marine Institute, University of Tartu, 2023 Download
Appendix 3.5 Saare-Liivi report on seabed biota and habitats Estonian Marine Institute, University of Tartu, 2024 Download
Appendix 3.6 Colonization of the Saare-Liivi OWP artificial substrate Estonian Marine Institute, University of Tartu, 2024 Download
Appendix 3.7 Saare-Liivi OWP report on seabed biota and habitats along the cable route Estonian Marine Institute, University of Tartu, 2024 Download
Appendix 3.8 Utilitas Wind Saare-Liivi offshore wind park bird surveys Estonian Ornithological Society, 2024 Download
Appendix 3.8.1 Expert assessment on habitat displacement of sea ducks Jacobsen, E. M. & Tjørnløv, R. S. 2024 Download
Appendix 3.8.2 Monitoring plan for sea ducks in relation to Saare-Liivi OWF, Estonia Tjørnløv, R. S. ; Jacobsen, E. M. & Lyngsgaard, M.M. 2025 Download
Appendix 3.8.3 Saare-Liivi Offshore Windfarm – Estonia. Impact Asessment Velvet Scoter and Long-tailed Duck – Displacement Ramboll Polska 2024 Download
Appendix 3.9 Pre-construction bat survey of the Saare-Liiv offshore wind farm Elustik OÜ, 2024 Download
Appendix 3.10 Saare Liivi wind farm seal report MTÜ Pro Mare 2024 Download
Appendix 3.11 Detection of gray seal presence from underwater sound recordings Mirko Mustoneni (TTÜ), 2024 Download
Appendix 3.12 Fish habitat study of the Saare-Liiv offshore wind farm and cable route University of Tartu, Estonian Marine Institute, 2024 Download
Appendix 3.13 Visual impact assessment of the Saare-Liiv offshore wind farm RSP, 2024 Download
Appendix 3.13.1 Maps and visualisations RSP, 2024 Download
Appendix 3.14 Analysis of sediment sample threads Download
Appendix 3.15 Noise assessment of the Saare-Liiv offshore wind farm Lemma OÜ, 2024 Download
Appendix 3.16 Analysis of the socio-economic impacts of the Saare-Liiv offshore wind farm Finantsakadeemia OÜ, 2024 Download
Appendix 3.17 Analysis of sonar data from the main and additional areas of the Saare-Liiv wind farm Nautic Trade OÜ, 2024 Download
Appendix 3.18 Maritime safety analysis of the Saare-Liiv offshore wind park Estonian Maritime Academy of Tallinn University of Technology, 2024 Download
Appendix 3.19 Impacts of the Saare-Liivi offshore wind farm on aviation Estonian Aviation Academy, 2023 Download
Appendix 3.20 Wind farm sentiment survey in Kihnu and Ruhnu municipalities KantarEmor, 2023 Download
Appendix 3.21 Overview of the electricity network on Kihnu Island Elektrilevi OÜ, 2024 Download
 Appendix 3.22 Environmental impact of using electrical appliances filled with elegas Taltech, 2025 Download
December 2021
Initiation of the EIA - decision No. 1-7/21-521 by TTJA on December 23, 2021
February – April 2022
Preparation of the EIA program
May – June 2022
Collecting opinions of relevant institutions regarding the EIA program
July 2022
Additions to the EIA program
September – October 2022
Public display of the EIA program (including cross-border display in Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, and Sweden) and discussions
November 2022
Additions to the EIA program
December 2022
Approval of the EIA program
2022 - 2024
Preparing the EIA report and conducting studies
2025
EIA report for public display
2025
Approval of the EIA report