ELWIND has signed a contract with Geoprovider AS to carry out a Metocean, geological, unexploded ordnance (UXO), and archaeological desk studies for the Latvian offshore wind park project.
Geoprovider AS will conduct research within the Latvian ELWIND offshore wind farm area by analyzing available literature and data sources. The aim is to gather information on meteorological and geological conditions, potential UXO locations, and archaeological sites.
The study will consist of four components:
- Metocean (preliminary research) – a desk study to determine precise marine meteorological conditions (wind, water level, currents, and ice) in the study area.
- Geological – a desk study to assess the area’s geology, seabed features, sediments, and to prepare for further geophysical investigations.
- UXO (unexploded ordnance) – a desk study to identify potential locations of UXO that may remain from historical military activities, including World War I and World War II.
- Archaeology – a desk study to determine whether any archaeological sites are present within the Latvian ELWIND project area.
As part of the broader ELWIND research initiative, the results of this study will support the environmental impact assessment and provide valuable input for geophysical and geotechnical investigations.
The goal of the joint Estonian–Latvian ELWIND offshore wind park is to create favourable conditions for the development of accessible renewable energy in the region, benefiting both local communities and electricity consumers in Estonia and Latvia. To achieve this, both countries are conducting comprehensive studies on the potential environmental impacts of the offshore wind park, including effects on wildlife, seabed, socio-economic conditions, visual landscape, and other key aspects.