Two wind farms to be erected in Virumaa in the next few years

22 March 2011

The Management Board of the Environmental Investments Centre (EIC) approved two wind energy development projects, which entail the construction of wind farms in the counties of Ida-Virumaa and Lääne-Virumaa. The construction of the wind farms is being supported by the revenue from the emission quota sales transaction concluded between Estonia and Spain, and the investment support for these two projects amounts to nearly 12.4 million Euros.

"In total, nine wind generators will be erected, three in Lääne-Virumaa and six in Ida-Virumaa, and the expected electricity output of the generators will be 45,246 MWh a year," the Leading Coordinator of Energy, Siim Umbleja explained. "Under a green investment plan, the reduction of CO2 emissions into the air is also very important in projects and in this case the emissions are reduced by 50,000 tonnes of CO2 a year."

As a result of OÜ Raisner's project, Varja Wind Farm will be built in Lüganuse rural municipality in Ida-Viru County. The green investment plan funds will be used for the construction of six 2 MW wind turbines and the necessary infrastructure. The assistance allocated to the project amounts to 7.23 million Euros, and the wind generators should be ready to be commissioned by the beginning of 2013.

Oceanside OÜ's project foresees the construction of Ojaküla Wind Farm in Viru-Nigula rural municipality in Lääne-Viru County. The works include the erection of three 2.3 MW wind turbines and the construction of the roads, power lines and connection points necessary for the operation of the farm. The support allocated to the project amounts to 5.13 million Euros, and the farm is expected to start generating electricity at the beginning of 2012.

The main aim of the green investment plan is to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases in Estonia, and the decrease expected as a result of the two projects mentioned above is estimated to be 50,000 tonnes of CO2 a year. Pursuant to the Electricity Market Act, electricity generation units constructed with investment support will not receive a renewable energy subsidy.

The foundation Environmental Investments Centre (EIC) founded in May 2000 is the main mediator of environmental assistance and investments. EIC channels the proceeds from the exploitation of the environment into the development of environmental projects, acts as the implementing agency for the environmental projects funded by the European Regional
Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Cohesion Fund (CF) and acts as the implementing agency for the Green Investment Scheme (selling the excess CO2 quota and mediating support). EIC also offers the option to apply for loans for the development of environmental projects.