Lode Hybrid Park
Lode Hybrid Park is a cross-border project planned to be developed in phases along the Latvian-Estonian border by Utilitas Wind.
Lode Hybrid Park is a cross-border project planned to be developed in phases along the Latvian-Estonian border by Utilitas Wind. The first phase of the park comprises 18 Vestas V162-6.5 MW wind turbines – is planned approximately 4 km north-west of the village of Lode in Valmiera Municipality, and these will be connected to the Latvian transmission grid alongside a 60 MW/240 MW battery storage facility adjacent to the Ipiķi substation.
Co-financing
The project has received funding under the energy programme of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for cross-border renewable energy projects.
CEF funding under Action No. 2023-2-EU-W-M-23-ULP-RES WP is being used for the grid connection infrastructure, substations, internal power supply infrastructure, roads and turbine foundations.
CEF funding under Action No. 2023-2-EU-W-M-25-ULP-RES WP is being used for the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of the wind turbines.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or The European Climate, Environment and Infrastructure Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
The hybrid wind farm in figures
330 kV Connection to the “Ipiķi” substation on the Latvia–Estonia 330 kV interconnector
60 MW / 240 MWh Energy storage system
330 GWh Planned annual electricity generation, which is approximately the annual consumption of 110,000 households
spring 2028 Planned commissioning
| Role | Company |
|---|---|
| Developer | Utilitas Wind (Lode Wind SIA) |
| Main contractor — roads, sites, foundations, electrical networks | PS AVC Partners — Verston OÜ, Aimasa SIA, Connecto Latvija SIA |
| Supply and installation of wind turbines | Vestas |
| Energy storage system | Hovmiles / C3 |
| Construction of the 330 kV ‘Ipiki’ substation | PS AVC Partners — Verston OÜ, Aimasa SIA, Connecto Latvija SIA |
| Construction supervision | Forma 2 |
Construction schedule
Start of works – August 2026
Setting up the construction site: fencing off the area, mobilising machinery, and installing of temporary traffic signs. The first lorries and construction machinery will appear in the area.
Construction of roads and sites – August 2026 to November 2027
Construction of internal roads within the wind farm and turbine assembly areas at each turbine location. This is the busiest period for material deliveries. Materials for the construction of the Lode wind farm will be delivered from both Estonia and Latvia. On the Estonian side, transport mainly uses the secondary road 24201, and on the Latvian side, national roads V176 and V177.
Foundation works – 4th quarter of 2026
Construction of reinforced concrete foundations for each wind turbine. Most of the concrete is made on site at the construction site, and a small part is delivered from the Valmiera plant if necessary.
Construction of cable connections and the 330 kV Ipiki substation –September 2026 to September 2027
Installation of 33 kV underground cable lines connecting the wind turbines to the substation and construction of the 330 kV Ipiķi substation on the Estonia–Latvia 330 kV interconnection.
Installation of batteries – 2nd quarter of 2027
Supply and installation of a 60 MW / 240 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). The BESS will be installed in a fenced-off area next to the substation.
Delivery of wind farm components – June to September 2027
Tower sections, blades and nacelles will be delivered from the Port of Paldiski in Estonia. Deliveries will take place several times a week at night or in the early morning to minimise distruption to traffic.
Wind turbine assembly – July to October 2027
Crane operations at each wind turbine installation site: installation of tower sections, nacelles and blades.
