Estonia has banned the construction of a wind farm for 1.7 billion euros, suspecting funding from the Russian Federation

The Estonian Internal Security Service imposed a ban on the construction of a wind park Saare Wind Energy worth 1.7 billion euros because of possible funding from Russia.

“An indication by Security Service of a possible threat to the state security in connection with the origin of investments in the construction of a wind park has led the government to give a red light to the “Saare Wind Energy” project”,  the ERR portal reported.

According to the portal, in April 2015, “Saare Wind Energy OU” applied for a license to build a farm of 100 wind turbines, which had to occupy more than 100 square kilometers of marine territory and produce 2.8 TWh of electricity annually.

A draft law on obtaining a building license was prepared in early 2017. But the Cabinet of Ministers did not officially begin its discussion, as the Ministry of Internal Affairs had received the first assessment from the Security Service warning them of a possible threat. Such information was sufficient to suspend the process.

As Harris Puusepp, a spokesman for the Security Servic said, it is not a secret to anyone that Russia is interested in influencing Estonia. “Unfortunately, if we are talking about investments from Russia, then the question is who is behind this and what motives are pursuing”, H. Puusepp said.

The owners of the “Saare Wind Energy OU”, Kuydo Kartau and Veiko Väli, declare that they do not possess information about investments from the Russian Federation. They do not exclude that the state wants to move them away from the potentially attractive sea zone.

“Of course we will dispute this. But if, despite this, the decision is made, then our next step will be the court”, said V. Väli.

Source: uaenergy

Tags: renewable energy, wind energy, legislation

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