RIGA, May 25 (LETA) - The local council of the Tukums municipality on Wednesday supported construction of the Pienava wind farm, the council's chairman Gundars Vaza (Latvian Association of Regions) told LETA. 

In his words, the vote was not unanimous, but the councilors took into consideration the fact that the local authority has already lost its appeal against the wind farm project and a court of the third instance would only assess procedural matters. "We were aware of the local residents' pressure on the council and that there is an energy crisis because of the war in Ukraine," Vaza said. 

Gatis Galvins, board member of the wind farm's developer Eolus, said that the vote of the Tukums Council in favor of the project is a responsible and strategic decision to strengthen Latvia's energy security and independence at a time of energy crisis. The decision is a positive signal to all wind farm developers, he said. 

At present, work is underway on the wind farm's technical design, Galvins informed. 

Administrative Regional Court on May 10 ruled in favor of Pienava Wind in its legal dispute with Tukums Council, concluding that the ban imposed by the council on the wind farm project was unlawful. 

Eolus, registered in 2022, has a share capital of EUR 2,845, according to Firmas.lv. The company belongs to Sweden's Eolus Vind. 

Eolus has ten subsidiaries in Latvia: Audruves Wind, Gulbji Wind, Melderi Wind, Virzas Wind, Dobele Wind, Mekji Wind, Osi Wind, Unas Wind, Valpene Wind and Pienava Wind.