The Port of Klaipėda is carrying out a major project to support Lithuania’s plans to develop offshore wind farms.

Quays are now being constructed in the area of the former International Ferry Terminal.

Back in May 2022, the Klaipėda Port Authority and cargo handling company Klasco signed an investment agreement, launching the development of port infrastructure needed for Lithuania’s future offshore wind projects.

The project at Klaipėda Port is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026.

By 2035, two offshore wind parks with a combined capacity of around 1.4 gigawatts (GW) are expected to be operating in Lithuania’s exclusive economic zone of the Baltic Sea near Palanga.

Together they could generate up to 6 terawatt-hours (TWh) of green electricity a year – enough to cover around half of Lithuania’s current electricity demand.

The first tender for a 700 megawatt (MW) offshore wind park was announced on 30 March 2023. The winners were a joint venture between Ignitis Renewables and OW Offshore S.L.

Algis Latakas, CEO of the Klaipėda State Seaport Authority, said: “Klaipėda Port is moving with Lithuania’s ambitions to build offshore wind parks in the Baltic Sea.

“We’re preparing to become a key base for this project – setting up areas where turbine components can be assembled, handled and stored.

“Right now, in the southern part of the port at the former International Ferry Terminal, the constructor Tilsta is carrying out the first stage of infrastructure works – reconstructing quays.”

Last month, Klaipėda State Seaport Authority secured a quay lease at Jurbarkas, setting the stage for the creation of a new inland cargo port along Lithuania’s Nemunas River.