Wind Farm Planned in Birzgale Parish: Residents Can Submit Comments by 8 November

A local plan that would allow wind turbines to be built is under consideration in Birzgale Parish, Ogre Municipality. The plan covers about 362 hectares. Its aim is to amend the territorial plan by creating a forest-area sub-zone in which wind power stations could be placed alongside other permitted uses.

Scope of the project

The "Stelpe 1" wind farm is planned in Birzgale Parish (Ogre Municipality) and in the Valle and Vecumnieki parishes of Bauska Municipality. In total, up to 11 turbines with a combined capacity of about 77 megawatts are envisaged. Up to seven of them, each with a nominal capacity of up to 7 MW, would be located in Birzgale Parish. Construction could take about two years.

The environmental impact assessment examined three possible turbine models: Nordex N175 (6.8 MW), Nordex N163 (7 MW) and Vestas V162 (6.2 MW). The local plan does not specify which model will be used. The total height of the turbines is not to exceed 267 metres. Associated infrastructure is also planned: assembly and service areas, access roads and electricity networks, plus new connections to existing roads for turbine delivery.

Location and environmental aspects

The Jelgava–Krustpils railway line crosses the plan area. The nearest settlements are Birzgale village, about four kilometres away, and Valle village, about eight kilometres away. The closest towns are Lielvārde (about 14 km) and Jaunjelgava (about 21 km). Some individual farmsteads are located near the site.

The area contains the EU-protected habitat "Alluvial forests", as well as a site of the specially protected plant species interrupted clubmoss, a veteran tree and a potential veteran tree. The Environmental Report assessed possible effects on birds and bats, as well as noise, shadow flicker, visual impact, vibration and electromagnetic field exposure. Mitigation measures are to be applied during construction and operation.

Developers and deadline

The local plan and the strategic environmental assessment were prepared by SIA "Grupa93"; the developer and client for the Environmental Report is "SP Venta". According to Firmas.lv, the company had a turnover of 1.47 million euros and losses of 2.874 million euros last year. It was registered in 2020, has share capital of 45.787 million euros, and its sole owner is Lithuania-registered "Arrow Holdco".

Written proposals and comments on the local plan and the draft Environmental Report may be submitted until 8 November.