Preparation for the Environmental Impact Assessment of the Fourth Estonia–Latvia Electricity Interconnection Begins
Elering has submitted the environmental impact assessment (EIA) programme for the planned marine section of the Estonia–Latvia electricity interconnection to the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority (CPTRA) for approval.
This new cross-border electricity interconnection will be the fourth between Estonia and Latvia. The marine cable will start off the southwest coast of Saaremaa and continue toward Latvia. The cable system will consist of up to three 330-kilovolt alternating current (AC) cables and one fibre-optic communication cable, with a transmission capacity of up to 1000 MW.
To ensure a thorough analysis, a range of studies and expert assessments will be conducted during the EIA process. These will include underwater archaeological surveys, studies of unexploded ordnance, seabed geology and sediment composition, water quality and turbidity, as well as assessments of marine biodiversity, habitats and birdlife. In addition, the EIA will assess underwater noise, electromagnetic fields and thermal radiation, as well as impacts on fisheries, maritime transport, protected natural areas and objects, and climate.
All studies will be carried out by experts in the relevant fields. The EIA programme is being prepared by Skepast&Puhkim OÜ. The developer and applicant for the building permit is Elering, while the procedure is being organised and decided by CPTRA. As this is a cross-border project, potential transboundary environmental impacts during the installation and operation of the marine cable must also be assessed. The Ministry of Climate is responsible for coordinating the transboundary EIA process and stakeholder engagement.
The EIA programme is available for public consultation on CPTRA’s website. Comments and suggestions may be submitted from 7 to 28 July. A public discussion to present the programme and gather feedback will take place on 7 August from 16:00 to 18:00 at Lümanda House in Saaremaa.
After the approval of the EIA programme, separate public procurements will be organised for carrying out the studies and preparing the EIA report. The environmental impact assessment report is expected to be completed in 2027.
More information on the project is available at: Fourth Estonia–Latvia Electricity Interconnection | Elering.