In order to create further added value to wind farm energy, Norwegian, Swedish, and Latvian companies have established a joint project management team SIA “CIS Liepaja”, to conduct the necessary research and to build a renewable energy complex “Power to X terminal in the Port of Liepaja”, including a hydrogen production plant and the port terminal by 2030.
The intended complex of renewable energy resources with the terminal in the Port of Liepaja complies with the European Green Course aiming to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. The total planned investment amount for the construction of the hydrogen production plant with the capacity of 1000 MW and the estimated production volume of 150 000 tons of hydrogen would reach ca. one billion euros.
By implementing the ambitious project, 80-100 new jobs for highly qualified specialists will be provided, promoting the development of innovative technologies alongside science and research-based training programs. The project will also create new supply chains and increase export opportunities, as well as promote international recognition and increase the competitiveness of the city and the port.
At the same time, Liepaja Airport is set to produce and test hydrogen-powered Fokker Next Gen aircraft, employing around 800 people. The company has already reached an agreement with the Liepaja Special Economic Zone Authority. The company also plans to set up a hydrogen aircraft engineering center in Latvia, TV Kurzeme reports April 25.
Fokker Next Gen intends to develop a hydrogen-powered passenger aircraft model with a capacity of between 120 and 150 passengers. This type of aircraft could provisionally reach destinations up to 2,500 kilometers away. The airport site now needs to be surveyed and the available power lines increased. The plant itself is planned to be built in 2030.
Meanwhile, the most ambitious solar power plant in Latvia to date – Kalkūnes SES in the region of Augšdaugava, near Daugavpils – has started production. The new power plant has sufficient production capacity to supply at least 6,500 households in Daugavpils.
Almost EUR 10 million of Latvian capital, including EUR 4.7 million co-financed by Swedbank, has been invested in the development of Kalkūne SES. The owner of the new solar power plant is Merito Sustainable Energy Fund I, a local investment fund. Last year, with the renewable energy project developer Saules Energy, it built four new solar power plants (SPPs) in Zilupe, Brenguļi, Inčukalns, and Carnikava with a total capacity of 25 MW. Three more projects in Koknese, Cēsis, and Valmiera will be completed by autumn 2024.
The general contractor of the project “Kalkūne SES” is the Latvian company “KL Systems” with many years of experience in constructing industrial solar parks in Europe and other parts of the world.
The investment fund noted that the development and operation of the solar power plant has paid great attention to preserving and protecting the biodiversity of the environment. The site includes a natural meadow with specially designed insect and animal habitats and will eventually be used by local farmers’ bee colonies and sheep flocks.