The Ministry of Defense has published a map for the development of wind parks in Latvia

Wind energy is currently one of the most relevant types of renewable energy, so in the last couple of years, interest in the construction of wind parks has significantly increased in Latvia. The construction of new wind turbines near the radars of the National Armed Forces may have a negative impact on air and sea space surveillance capabilities, while the Ministry of Defense is aware of the relevance of energy independence and security issues and the role of wind energy in it.

In order to facilitate the coordination process related to the construction of wind farms and to clearly show in which parts of Latvia the construction of wind farms is permitted, evaluated or not permitted, the MoD has developed a map of the territory of Latvia, which is currently available on the Unified portal for the development and coordination of legal acts.

The map is divided into three colored sectors. In the green zone, the construction of wind farms is permitted and supported, and only the approval of the Ministry of the Interior is required. In the yellow zone, the construction of wind farms can be evaluated, but the entrepreneur will have to consider compensatory solutions, such as the purchase of new radars.

On the other hand, in the red zone, the construction of wind farms is not possible, as it would significantly interfere with the performance of national defense tasks. This zone covers the entire eastern border of Latvia and part of Eastern Vidzeme, namely from Apes and Alūksne to Daugavpils. Also, this zone covers several districts on the coast of Kurzeme, the coast of Vidzeme and certain places in other parts of the country, for example, on the coast of Riga, in the vicinity of the Lielvārde base, in the vicinity of the future Sēlija landfill, in the vicinity of the Ādažu landfill and in the vicinity of Priekule/Vaiņode.