Eleja Wind Farm Impact Report Raises Concerns Over Rundāle Palace Landscape

An environmental impact assessment (EIA) report on the planned "Eleja" wind farm in Jelgava and Bauska municipalities has been submitted for public consultation. The project is promoted by renewable energy developer SIA Utilitas Wind. The report concludes that the turbines planned in Bauska municipality would strongly affect the cultural and historical landscape, including the view from Rundāle Palace. Public consultation meetings will be held in October, and people can also join remotely.

Scope of the project

The wind farm is planned in the Sesava and Eleja parishes of Jelgava municipality and the Viesturi parish of Bauska municipality. The assessment examined 20 wind turbines: 14 in Jelgava municipality and six in Bauska municipality. Depending on the model, turbines could reach 266.5 metres in height, and each would have a capacity of about seven megawatts. The study area near the Latvian-Lithuanian border covers 2,780 hectares, of which 2,322 hectares lie in Jelgava municipality. Within a 3-kilometre radius of the turbines there are 267 residential buildings, including 81 in Lithuania.

Landscape and heritage

The report states that building the six Bauska turbines would have a very high visual impact. The Rundāle Palace ensemble, a cultural monument of national and international significance, is about 9.7 kilometres from the nearest turbine, yet the turbines would be visible from the palace's second-floor windows, halls and park terrace. Impacts are also forecast from the Mežotne hillfort area, Bērstele church and the Bauska Castle viewing tower.

Landscape specialists and the National Cultural Heritage Administration say that lowering the Bauska turbines to 130 metres would not solve the problem. They also point to the combined effect with the neighbouring planned "Sēja" wind farm and wind farms in northern Lithuania, and recommend abandoning all six Bauska sites.

Noise, shadows and construction

Noise will stay within legal limits, but at maximum power some homes could exceed World Health Organization recommendations, so a night-time quiet mode will be required. To limit shadow flicker, turbines will be fitted with sun sensors. Construction would take about two years and include 15.6 km of new access roads and a battery storage system of up to 400 MWh.

How to take part

Consultation runs until 9 November. The meeting in Bauska municipality is set for 20 October at 6 p.m. at Sviteni community hall, and on 21 October at 6 p.m. in Bērvircava community hall in Jelgava municipality. Written proposals can be submitted to the State Environmental Service.