Wind Power News: Estonia
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Half of Ida-Viru County still off-limits to wind farms with new radar
According to a map drawn up by the Ministry of Defence detailing parts of the country suitable for the development of onshore wind farms, the eastern half of Ida-Viru County would remain off-limits to wind farms even after an additional new radar is completed in 2024 – the absence of which had impeded their construction in the first place. Highlighted as an additional new development area where it would be permitted to build wind turbines up to 150 meters in height . . . Complete story »
Estonian court: Prohibition on stay on Aidu wind farm is valid
The first-tier Tartu Administrative Court decided with a ruling on Thursday that it will not review the application by the developers of the Aidu wind farm for preliminary legal protection, thus the prohibition on staying in the wind farm’s territory is still valid, Baltic News Service reports. The court ruling has not entered into force and can be contested within 15 days, the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) said. The Tartu Administrative Court with a ruling on July 23 . . . Complete story »
Aidu wind farm court reaction: Owners triumphant, authorities unimpressed
As reported on ERR News the Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that construction permits for the proposed Aidu wind farm in Lüganuse are valid, ruling against the justice ministry. While Oleg and Andres Sõnajalg, the two brothers behind the project, have claimed a victory, noting that now all that needs to be done is count the cost of a legal battle and delays in construction going back to 2017, the Ministry of Defense says the Supreme Court’s decision is not substantive. . . . Complete story »
Aidu wind farm permits are valid, Supreme Court rules
Construction permits issued to Aidu Wind Park in Ida-Viru County are valid, the Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday, dismissing the case brought by the Ministry of Justice in 2017. In April 2017, the governor of Ida-Viru County submitted a protest to the Tartu Administrative Court in which the governor asked for the permits issued by the rural municipality government of Lüganuse allowing for Aidu Tuulepark OÜ to construct a wind farm in the area to be annulled. The Supreme Court . . . Complete story »
Environmental activists: No legal basis for establishing Northwestern Estonian wind farm
At a meeting with representatives of Estonian state-owned energy group Eesti Energia’s renewable energy subsidiary Enefit Green this week, environmental protection NGO Hiiu Tuul emphasized that there is no legal basis for establishing a Northwestern Estonian coastal waters wind farm, reported LETA/BNS. Enefit Green has submitted to public display an environmental impact assessment of a Northwestern Estonian coastal waters wind farm, according to which the company is planning an up to 1,100 megawatt off-shore wind farm near the island of . . . Complete story »
Defense ministry recoursing to Supreme Court in long-running wind farm case
The long-running legal battle concerning the construction of a wind farm in eastern Estonia has seen the second-tier circuit court in Tartu uphold an earlier decision by the administrative court, to annul building permits for the project. The case has involved no less than three ministries: Defense, environment and justice, and seems likely to go to the highest-tier Supreme Court in an effort to block the wind farm’s construction, BNS reports. Additionally, local authorities both at county and municipality level, . . . Complete story »
Proposed Saaremaa wind turbine blocked
The municipal government on the island of Saaremaa has blocked the building of a wind turbine, BNS reports. A company called OÜ Energialevi had planned to erect a 142.5 meter-high turbing at Uudibe, near the village of Salme, but was turned down by local authorites, according to regional daily Saarte Hääl. The reason given was planning issues related to the region’s land use, as well as opposition from local residents, and the environment board, it is reported. “It’s fine for . . . Complete story »
Estonian police impose prohibition on stay to stop construction work at Aidu wind farm
TALLINN – The Estonian Police and Border Guard Board on Friday declared the territory of the Aidu wind farm being developed by brothers Oleg and Andres Sonajalg off-limits after the developer had refused to comply with an order to stop the constriction work, Postimees said. The order to stop the work had been issued by the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority. “Based on the materials forwarded to us by the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority, the Police and . . . Complete story »
Estonia blocks $1.9 billion wind park at sea on security concern
The Estonian government has decided not to proceed with an application for a 600-megawatt wind farm by developer Saare Wind Energy OU, citing security concerns. The company had been drawing up plans for four years and had applied for a 50-year building permit for 100 six-megawatt turbines off the island of Saaremaa. The cost of the project was estimated at 1.7 billion euros ($1.92 billion). “The reason for refusal is a suspicion that the applicant may threaten public order, safety . . . Complete story »
Environment ministry follows defence ministry in calling for Sõnajalg wind farm halt
Outgoing environmental minister Siim Kiisler (Isamaa) has demanded the halting of the long-running construction of the Aidu wind farm. The wind farm, at Aidu, in the Maidla municipality in Ida-Viru County, is the brainchild of the Sõnajalg brothers, entrepreneurs and some-time members of a popular music band. The two brothers state that they got permission from Maidla municipality in 2013 and that this is still valid. In July 2018, another ministry, defence, had already said that construction must halt because . . . Complete story »
