RIGA, Dec 27 (LETA) - With the development of potential wind farms in Latvia, investors' interest in energy-intensive projects, which require cheap electricity in large volumes, has grown, KatrIna Duka-Gulbe, Executive Director of the Wind Energy Association (VEA), told LETA.

She said that this year has been very active and important for the development of the wind energy sector in Latvia. After many years of talking about wind farms in the form of the future, real construction has started. By 2026, wind parks with an estimated capacity of 278 megawatts (MW) or 44 turbines will be operational, and by 2030 - around 1,200 MW.

"This means that we will no longer depend on imports for part of our electricity bills, but will get cheaper and more reliable energy produced in Latvia," said Duka-Gulbe.

Currently, wind power accounts for only 4 percent of Latvia's electricity consumption, compared to over 20 percent in Lithuania. This clearly shows that Latvia has great potential for development, Duka-Gulbe explained.

She said that this year also saw the start of the first site survey for the Elwind offshore wind park. If the project goes according to plan, a two gigawatt (GW) wind farm will be operating off the coast of Latvia in 2035, which will be a major boost for the country's economy.

"With the development of potential wind farms, investor interest in energy-intensive projects that require cheap electricity in large volumes has grown," said the VEA's Executive Director, citing the planned green ammonia and hydrogen plants in Liepaja and Ventspils as an example, which will see billions of euros in investment and hundreds of new jobs.

Duka-Gulbe stressed that without cheap and green energy, these and other projects will be implemented elsewhere and Latvia will lose both income and regional development opportunities.

She explained that the main challenges for wind farm developers are the cost and time of projects. Wind park development requires a clear national energy policy and a stable and predictable regulatory framework.

"Unfortunately, in recent years the regulation has changed frequently, often for political reasons, undermining investors' confidence in the existing energy policy," said Duka-Gulbe, stressing that the country needs to define a clear position on wind parks that would be a compass for both the public and local authorities.

The VEA Executive Director added that misinformation about wind energy, often based on false claims or misleading studies, is also a major challenge.