Utilitas and Graanul Mets begin a wind energy development cooperation

Utilitas, Estonia’s largest producer of renewable energy, and Graanul Mets, Estonia’s largest private landowner, are starting a strategic cooperation, within the framework of which Utilitas plans to build wind farms on the lands of companies belonging to the Graanul Mets Group.

For now, the companies have mapped suitable areas and agreed on the principles of cooperation. As a result of this cooperation, more than 100 wind turbine places with an estimated total capacity of over 500 MW will be added to the wind farm portfolio of Utilitas. Development projects are still in their infancy and the final size and construction of the wind farms will depend on cooperation with local communities and municipalities, as well as conducting appropriate planning and impact assessments.

According to Rene Tammist, Member of the Management Board of Utilitas Wind, a rapid reduction in the consumption of imported fossil fuels is extremely critical, especially due to the security crisis that has emerged in addition to the climate and energy crises. “If there is a social agreement, wind farms can be set up relatively quickly, but this requires the goodwill and effective cooperation of all parties – the state, local governments, communities, and companies.”

“Utilitas has the best possible know-how and experience in building wind farms. We are ready to act efficiently and quickly. In cooperation with Graanul Mets and other landowners, we will focus on initiating the appropriate planning procedures. We rely on all parties to create the most favorable atmosphere for the progression of planning and the implementation,” added Tammist. “The cooperation agreement complements the development portfolio of Utilitas. The new areas make up almost half of our current onshore wind farm developments in Estonia.”

According to Marko Raid, Member of the Management Board of Graanul Mets, providing various renewable energy solutions to the group’s companies is a topic that is close to the heart for them. “In addition to growing renewable biomass, the construction of wind farms enables the landowner to diversify its income and further valuation of the land. There is no doubt that society as a whole will benefit from the increase in energy resources, especially in the circumstances of the deepening energy crisis,” Raid said.

“We hope that in the light of the complex challenges that the society is facing today, all parties have a greater willingness to work together for implementing sustainable energy and raw material solutions. This certainly includes the creation of local wind energy production capacities,” said Raid.

OÜ Utilitas Wind is a company belonging to the Utilitas energy group, which develops renewable energy and storage solution projects in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Ongoing projects include the building of Latvia’s largest wind farm, which will start operating in the autumn of 2022.

OÜ Graanul Mets is the largest private landowner in Estonia. The companies of the OÜ Graanul Mets group include AS Roger Puit, OÜ Karo Mets, and OÜ Valga Puu and the Pärnu County company Eremka OÜ. The goal of the company is to create a diverse, sustainable, and productive forest portfolio, which enables the achievement of the green turn goals through forest cultivation and the use of timber.