The government confirmed the location of the joint Estonian and Latvian offshore wind energy project Elwind in the Estonian sea area. Based on research and analysis, the most suitable development area for the implementation of a joint project in Estonian waters is the sea area west of Sõrve.

During the preliminary study of the location selection of the offshore wind farm ordered in cooperation with the neighboring countries, various sea areas were analyzed in order to find the most suitable for the project. "The sea area to the west of Sõrve's leg turned out to be suitable because there are better wind and ice conditions compared to other areas, in addition, this area is away from the known flight paths of migratory birds, the habitats of seals and other aquatic life," explained the Minister of Economy and Infrastructure Riina Sikkut about the choice of location.

With the Elwind project, it is planned to establish a total of 700-1000 MW of offshore wind production capacity in the sea area of ​​Estonia and Latvia. The states carry out the necessary preparatory work for the areas, and then auctions for construction permits are organized.

In mid-September, the Latvian state informed that the wind farm area is located in the Latvian sea area in the Kurzeme region between Liepaja and Ventspils away from the coast

As the next stage of the project in Estonia, the Center for Environmental Investments submits an application to the Consumer Protection and Technical Supervision Board (TTJA) for the issuance of a building permit for the Estonian maritime area of ​​the joint project. By taking the development permit procedure, TTJA initiates an environmental impact assessment, during which KIK orders the necessary studies.

Elwind is implemented by the Ministry of Economy and Communications, the Latvian Ministry of Economy, the Center for Environmental Investments, the Latvian Investment and Development Agency and the Latvian grid operator Augstsprieguma tīkls (AST).

Source: ERR

On Saturday, the Estonian car rally championships ended with the 55th Saaremaa Rally. Egon Kaur and Silver Simm (Volkswagen; 1:05.32.9) won.

At the end of the opening day, the new world junior rally champion Robert Virves (Škoda) held the leading position, winning two of the three scheduled speed tests. Kaur finished Friday's race day in third place behind Ken Torn (Škoda).

The first speed test on Saturday was won by Virves and the second by Kaur. In the sixth speed test of the rally, Torn showed his power, and he also emerged as the new leader in the overall standings. Unfortunately, Torn was forced to stop the rally after the seventh speed test due to two flat tires, and Kaur took the lead.

In the last six speed tests, Kaur's advantage remained between five and eight seconds, and the two fastest rally drivers were separated by 7.8 seconds in the final table.

"The rally was difficult from the beginning. There were two very fast islanders at the start (Torn and Virves - ed.) and so it was expected that there would be a close fight for the victory. That's how it happened. It's a pity that Torn had to stop. He probably stepped on the same rake as us last year when we had to stop due to a flat tire," Kaur said after the race.

"We didn't take a lot of risks, but it can't be said that we drove slowly because of that. We still tried to drive as fast as possible. I believe that the overall pace was quite good," said Virves.

Third place went to Priit Koik (Škoda), who lost to the winner by one minute and 48 seconds. Gregor Jeets (Škoda), who secured the Estonian championship title in Paide on the penultimate stage, was fourth (+1.55.1) overall in the Saaremaa Rally.

Source: ERR

On Thursday evening, successful Estonian companies were recognized at the "Estonian best companies 2022" award event, and Saaremaa shipbuilding company AS Baltic Workboats was awarded the company of the year title.

The company of the year was selected from among the best in the "Entrepreneurship Award" competition of the joint institution of EAS and KredEx and the Central Union of Estonian Employers, and in the "Competitiveness Ranking" competition of the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

According to Lauri Lugna, head of the joint agency of EAS and KredEx, Baltic Workboats is innovative and has broken through in global competition. "By combining high-level technology with tasteful and functional design, the company is able to provide modern work vessels to police forces, border guards and research centers around the world," said Lugna.

According to Arto Aasa, CEO of the Central Association of Employers, this year's outstanding companies are united by contribution to innovation and cooperation with research institutions. "With the example of the winner Baltic Workboats, it is also possible to create a complex product with high added value while operating on Estonian capital and on a world scale in a small place, i.e. Saaremaa, and with it successfully succeed in almost 30 export markets," said Aas.

Source: ERR

The 55th Saaremaa rally will start on Friday. A total of 168 rally crews from Estonia and further afield are coming to the competition.

The seventh and also the last stage of the series of Estonian car rally championships will be held at the 55th Saaremaa Rally in the spirit of jubilee. In this year's rally, the competitors have to pass a total of 13 speed tests during the two days of the competition, three of which are run on Friday and ten on Saturday. The length of the course is 608.23 kilometers, of which additional tests make up 134.56 kilometers.

168 crews from eight different countries will start, and a close fight for podium places is expected in all nine competition classes. As many as nine R5 rally cars will fight for the overall victory of the rally, and the proto-cars included in the EMV1 calculation will definitely offer competition to them. Among the other well-known names, local men from Saaremaa, Ken Torn, and the recent junior world champion of car rally, Robert Virves, will also start in Škoda Fabia R5 machines.

"The entire rally organizing team is making the last efforts and preparations to make the 55th Saaremaa Rally memorable, powerful and enjoyable for both drivers and spectators. We have already set up the race route and there is still one last touch left before the rally men and women hit the track on Thursday are going to get to know each other. We are waiting for all old and new rally friends in Saaremaa, because we need to hold a nice anniversary rally together. I wish everyone great rally experiences and enjoy our beautiful autumn Saaremaa!" said competition director Villi Pihl.

The first race car will cross the podium on Friday, October 7 at 5:30 p.m. from the central square of Kuressaare, and the first test will start at 6:28 p.m., which is the 17.29-kilometer Läbara speed test in Sõrve.

Speed ​​tests are paid for and visitors must purchase a rally pass for €20, which is valid for all tests on both days, besides the rally pass, there is also the possibility to purchase test-specific passes for €10 on the access roads leading to the tests. Children up to and including 15 years of age can enter the speed tests for free. However, the Ralli maintenance park is free for all interested parties.

Tickets and rally souvenirs are on sale at the Saare Selver (Tallinn 67) sales point and the rally shop at the S-Link store (Pikk 42b). Information intended for spectators can be found in the official magazine of the Saaremaa rally, which is on sale in both rally shops and Saare Kütus filling stations.

The race can also be watched via telecast from Delfi TV, where you can see live footage of the 5th, 10th and 12th speed tests. In addition, Kadi Radio operates a rally radio on the frequency of 90.5 MHz, which transmits operational information and participants' emotions and comments at the end of all speed tests. However, you can see live footage of Friday's city test and both podiums on the YouTube channel of the Estonian Autosport Association.

Saaremaa rally schedule:

Friday, October 7:

18:28 - SS1 S-LINK / Läbara (17.29 km)
19:13 - SS2 ERTEC EHITUS / Kaugatoma (9.80 km)
20:11 - SS3 STADIUM HOTEL / Kuressaare city (1.74 km)

Saturday, October 8:

07:30 - SS4 WARMA AUTO / Salavere 1 (7.00 km)
08:00 - SS4 SIKASSAARE VANAMETALL / Jööri 1 (7.35 km)

08:55 - SERVICE A (15 min)

09:53 - SS5 ISLAND OF PETS / Järise (9.84 km)
10:51 - SS6 JAVICAR / Salavere 2 (7.00 km)
11:21 - SS7 HONDA / Jööri 2 (7.35 km)

12:16 - SERVICE B (30 min)

13:29 - SS8 ALME CAR / Rahtla 1 (7.91 km)
14:04 - SS9 NORDAUTO / Undva 1 (20.78 km)

15:19 - SERVICE C (25 min)

16:27 - SS10 EURONICS / Rahtla 2 (7.91 km)
17:02 - SS10 CRAMO / Undva 2 (20.78 km)
18:00 - SS10 SILVESTON / Toomalyuka (9.81 km)

19:00 - Award ceremony at Kuressaare central square

Source: ERR