Energy, Estonia, Good for Business, Lithuania

The park comprises six 2,3 MW wind turbines of Siemens with 101 m rotors and 99,5 m towers. The total investment into the project amounts to over 22 million euros, writes LETA/ELTA.

"This is the third wind park of Nelja Energia in Lithuania and the 12th in the Baltic States, but it is different from our other projects as the site is over 60 km inland, while the coastal region is traditionally perceived as best suited for wind energy. Discovery of new areas with good wind conditions opens wide new opportunities for wind energy in the region," says Tadas Navickas, Managing Director of 4energia UAB.

"The hilly terrain was raising some challenges during construction, but now hard times are over and we can appreciate the results. Investments into renewable energy sector in the Baltic States remain our main focus for the years to come and I would say that Lithuania has the most potential in wind energy out of the three countries," said Martin Kruus, Chairman of the Board of Nelja Energia at the opening.

"With growing deficit of generating capacities in the region and rising competitiveness of the wind energy technology as well as growing demand for environmentally friendly electricity, this looks like a right thing to do," added Kruus.

4energia UAB belongs to Baltics` largest renewable energy company Nelja Energia whose biggest shareholders are Vardar Eurus (60%), owned by Norway`s Buskerud County and NEFCO, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD,11%) and Estonian investors (29%). During 2012 Nelja Energia’s total wind energy portfolio will reach 230 MW and production will exceed 400 GWh. The group's investments in the Baltic States amount to over MEUR 270.

In addition to the newly opened wind park Nelja Energia's Lithuanian portfolio includes operational 14 MW Sudenai and 12 MW Mockiai wind farms as well as 39,1 MW farm in Ciuteliai (Silute region) which is in its final stages of construction.