Green lock-in in Estonia
UiB master student Logan Cook Abbott has recently stayed in Estonia for some weeks to collect data for his master’s thesis. He examines the counter-intuitive phenomenon of ‘green lock-in' in Estonia, where previous investments made by government, industry and the E.U. may have the effect of pushing offshore wind projects forward, despite reduced enthusiasm for the sector.
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Development of offshore wind in Estonia
In recent years, much has been made of declining interest in the green transition. However, there are cases where much of the groundwork needed to advance large-scale renewables projects has already been completed. Logan Cook Abbott's master’s thesis examines the counter-intuitive phenomenon of ‘green lock-in' in Estonia, where previous investments made by government, industry and the E.U. may have the effect of pushing offshore wind projects forward, despite reduced enthusiasm for the sector.
His thesis takes as its case study the shallow, windy waters off the west coast of Estonia’s Saaremaa Island, which hold enormous potential for generating renewable energy. Concrete plans for offshore wind farms stretch back to 2014, four of which are currently in the predevelopment and permitting stages. However, recent backlash against offshore wind in Estonia has created substantial uncertainty for the projects. Fears over their cost have called into question economic support from the Estonian state, while local concerns over the viewshed, health impacts and environmental damage have jeopardized political support.
However, considerable cash and effort have already been expended clearing the way for these projects. Developers have commissioned and paid for studies on technical and environmental solutions for their projects, the maritime spatial planning process has been completed, the region’s first port quay capable of handling offshore wind turbines is being built, and regulatory authorities have acquired the expertise needed to lay out detailed requirements and process permit applications, and projects to strengthen the grid are moving forward, just to name a few. Estonian pollution-tax revenues and European Commission energy innovation funds have backed one state-led project, ELWIND, with €9 million each.
Based on dialog with these interested parties, alongside rigorous analysis of relevant documents, his study aims to provide the academic community, decision-makers and the public with a comprehensive picture of the decisions, investments and efforts which have already been made in Estonia’s offshore wind sector, along with an evidence-based evaluation of the extent to which these may impact present and future decisions relating to offshore wind.