Latvia’s largest wind energy industry conference “WindWorks. Moving Energy”, has evolved into the most prominent event of this kind in the Baltic region. Foreign and local experts met in Riga on April 19 this year to look for solutions for more successful and faster utilization of wind energy across the Baltics.
The conference’s agenda included discussions about legislative matters, development of new interconnectors, electricity accumulation (storage) solutions, as well as business opportunities that offshore wind farm expansion will present to local entrepreneurs in the upcoming years. The conference brought together experts and politicians from Latvia, Estonia, Norway, Great Britain, Denmark and other European countries.
President of Latvia Egils Levits opened the conference: “Russia’s war against Ukraine added an energy security perspective to our thinking about renewable energy. It showed clearly that Europe, including Latvia have to act immediately to cut all energy tights with an aggressor country. Due to the unprecedent energy price spikes, it’s also energy affordability perspective. Energy security and affordability have high priorities which also help us to move away from fossil fuels. …We should plan how to strengthen our energy infrastructure to grow the share of renewable resources in our economy. We should look at the global development of the wind energy sector as a broader economic opportunity that we can benefit of. …I welcome the participation of the Ukrainian Wind Energy association in the today’s event. Latvia will continue supporting Ukraine including in helping to rebuild its energy sector as already now after the war.”
In his welcoming speech to the conference participants Chairman of the UWEA Board Andriy Konechenkov stressed: “Russia’s attempts to blackmail Europe over gas supply have proved that no country today will ever be safe until it becomes energy independent…The pathway to an energy independence is based on renewable, “home grown” energy sources. Wind is instrumental to our energy security, to tackling climate change. Wind energy brings democracy, independence and peace”.
Conference participants discussed the new geopolitical reality and international cooperation in the development of an effective European energy network. Clear rules and regulations in addition to positive preconditions for the development of the wind industry are of high importance.
Offshore wind power was the focus of many discussions. Speakers emphasized the need to solve shortcomings in the existing legislation of both Latvia and Estonia, which would not only speed up implementation of the two countries’ joint project, but also make it clear to private investors that the region is ready and welcoming the development of powerful offshore wind farms.
The conference was organized by the Latvian Wind Energy Association, the Estonian Wind Power Association and the Danish Embassy in Riga in cooperation with the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia.
