To promote public understanding and give citizens the opportunity to ask questions they were interested in; two informational face-to-face seminars have been organized near the planned offshore wind park area Pavilosta and Jurkalne in Latvia.
The seminars were organized by the Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA), who is in charge of the ELWIND project, in cooperation with Wind Energy Association Latvia, the environmental protection and environmental education organization “Green Freedom”. In addition, a remote presentation of the associate partner of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in Latvia was also held in Pāvilosta.
During the events information was provided not only about the “ELWIND” project, but also about the development trends of wind energy in the world, as well on how the offshore wind parks interact with the nature.
Around 100 individuals from nearby communities and neighbouring areas came together, sharing different perspectives and also concerns, reflecting on the topic and showing support. The attendees raised several questions, particularly regarding issues concerning the local municipalities. These included concerns about the impact on the landscape, environment, and infrastructure, along with queries about the selection of a suitable location.
The initial public consultation meeting in Latvia that took place on August 7 online, saw a diverse group attending, including local residents, politicians, owners of summer and vacation houses, cultural organizations, and members of the media. The presentation was followed by a thorough discussion covering a number of topics. A range of questions raised will be addressed once the environmental impact assessment is completed.
