From May 15 to 17, representatives of Baltic states and energy policy makers became acquainted with the Dutch experience in the construction and operation of offshore wind farms.
Kaspars Liepins, the creator of the renewable energy cluster of Ventspils Freeport, represented Freeport of Ventspils Authority: “The construction process of offshore wind farms is both long and complex – it consists of several stages and numerous nuances. Although Ventspils Freeport Authority will not build wind farms itself, the port is a geographically and logistically excellent place to form a regional base for offshore wind farm construction and servicing companies. Ventspils has also proved itself as an industrial manufacturing centre in the last decade, where both mechanical and metalworking and electrical engineering production have developed successfully. This provides a good opportunity to create preconditions for the production of the necessary components for the wind industry and for the development of services. As several zones are already developing in the Baltic Sea for the construction of offshore parks, it is important for us to understand how this market is shaping up and what entrepreneurs will need both in the short and long term. ”
The delegation had the opportunity to see the port of Eemshaven, one of the leading ports in the offshore wind farm sector - about a third of all energy produced in the Netherlands comes directly from Eemshaven; and also the world's largest wind farm in inland waters “Fryslân.” This wind farm only started operating two years ago.
Meetings were also held with Damen Shipyards, a Dutch shipbuilding and engineering conglomerate company, which provides solutions for offshore wind farms.
The event was concluded by a visit to the Dutch Enterprise Agency, honoured by ambassadors of all three Baltic states to the Netherlands through their presence. There was an opportunity to listen to the valuable experience of the Dutch government moving from the “passive regime” in 2013 to proactive offshore wind farm support, in which much of the preparatory work is undertaken by government agencies.
The visit was organised thanks to an invitation from the Embassy of the Netherlands in Latvia. The Latvian delegation consists of representatives from the Klimata un enerģētikas ministrija/Ministry of Climate and Energy , the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) , Latvenergo AS, Augstsprieguma tīkls AS , Ventspils Freeport Authority, Salacgriva port and Liepaja Special Economic Zone (LSEZ).