The wind turbines for Utilitas’ Saarde wind park will be supplied by Vestas

Estonia’s largest renewable energy producer, energy group Utilitas, has signed an agreement with the leading global wind turbine manufacturer Vestas for supply and installation of wind turbines for the Saarde wind park in Pärnu County. The wind park consists of modern V150 wind turbines with a total capacity of 39 MW and which will be the most productive wind park in Estonia.

“No new wind turbines have been installed in Estonia for eight years now. The technology of wind turbines has developed rapidly during this time and the Vestas V150 wind turbines we acquire, are the most modern and efficient. Compared to ten years ago, much fewer wind turbines can now produce substantially more energy,” explained Priit Koit, Utilitas Group CEO.

The estimated annual production of the Saarde wind park with nine wind turbines will be 135 GWh, which makes it the most productive wind park in Estonia. The production of the wind park covers the annual electricity consumption needs of more than 40,000 households. Utilitas is investing more than 60 million euros in the construction of this wind park. According to the plans, the installation of wind turbines will begin next spring, and full-capacity electricity production in the second half of 2023. For Saarde municipality, the wind park means new jobs and annual financial contribution to the municipality’s budget.

“Last year, we set a goal at Utilitas to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 at the latest. However, this year’s geopolitical situation and its consequences shows that it is necessary to move at a faster pace, and this goal should be achieved already in the next 5 years. Construction of wind parks has an important role in the Utilitas carbon neutrality realization plan. The new additional renewable capacities are essential to reduce the use of fossil and imported fuels,” added Koit.

“We are delighted to have been selected to supply our V150 turbines for the Saarde project in Estonia, continue the partnership with Utilitas, and to help the country accelerate its energy transition,” said Juan Furones, Vice President for Vestas Sales North & West. “Our nine turbines will be the most modern and effective turbines in Estonia to date. In addition, Utilitas has entrusted us with a 30-year full-scope service agreement that will continue to expand our service footprint in the region for the long-term.”

The development of wind energy is part of the strategy of the energy group Utilitas to reinforce its position as the region’s leading producer of renewable energy. The Utilitas Group has several land and sea wind parks in the development phase at Estonia. In Latvia, Utilitas owns Grobina wind park with a total capacity of 20 MW, and Tārgale wind park where the installation of 14 Vestas wind turbines was completed in June.  Tārgale wind park, with a total capacity of 59 MW, will start operating at full capacity in the third quarter and which will double the country’s wind energy output.

Utilitas is the largest renewable energy producer and district heating company in Estonia. In 2021, Utilitas produced 1.7 TWh of heat and 330 GWh of electricity. 66% of energy was produced from renewable sources. Utilitas is moving towards carbon neutrality by building new renewable energy capacity in the region, investing in solar and wind power, and implementing the first green hydrogen pilot project. The consolidated sales revenue of Utilitas was 161 million euros in 2021 and the volume of assets was 486 million euros.