Renewable energy project developer Sunly, offshore wind developer Ørsted, solar and wind farm developer European Energy and SIA Gaismas rati, a local company offering "high altitude solutions".
“Over the past six months we have expanded by welcoming four strong companies to our membership. We are honoured to welcome both the international companies, which are willing to take part in promoting a successful development of the Latvian wind industry, and the local companies, which show trust in LWEA activities and ability to represent and involve its members in current processes,” said Head of the Latvian Wind Energy Association, Andris Vanags.
Danish company Ørsted is the number one offshore wind developer globally and in 2021 was recognized as the most sustainable energy company by the Corporate Knights index (index of the world's most sustainable corporations). Ørsted employs 6,311 people and the group's revenue in 2020 was DKK 52.6 billion (EUR 7.1 billion).
Sunly operates in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland and develops, implements and operates renewable energy projects. Sunly's solar energy portfolio in the Baltics and Poland holds 132 MW and, with additional investments, the company plans to double this figure by the end of next year and direct funds to wind farm development.
“Sunly is working to become the main independent electricity producer in the Baltics. To achieve this goal, the company actively invests in wind and solar energy assets. Sunly's participation in LWEA is a logical step for the effective acquisition of wind energy potential in Latvia,” said Toms Nāburgs, Managing Director at Sunly.
European Energy develops, finances, constructs and operates wind and solar farms. Based in Copenhagen, Denmark, the company has a strong track record as a renewable energy operator across its 18 countries of operation. European Energy expects to grid-connect more than 750 MW in 2021 with another +1 GW in 2022.
Local company Gaismas Rati has also joined LWEA. Gaismas Rati offers high-altitude technical solutions by using industrial climbing and rope access techniques. The company specializes in wind turbine blades’ technical inspection and repair as well as defect elimination in other wind turbine components. Gaismas Rati operates in Latvia, other Baltic states and Scandinavia.
“The wind industry is an important part of an industrial climbing service providers’ operation. We specialize in wind turbine blades’ technical inspection and repair and that has allowed us to expand our operations not only in Latvia, but also in Scandinavia and elsewhere throughout Europe. Global wind industry is booming. Latvia, too, is about to develop its first large-scale wind farms soon, therefore, it is important to us to cooperate with the industry’s experts and developers and to share our experience, offer solutions for a safe working environment in high-altitude and promote sustainability and circular economy,” said Normunds Zuševics, Head of Gaismas Rati.
Currently, the Latvian Wind Energy Association represents 18 corporate members and three individual members, including both local and foreign entrepreneurs.
