Your EU – Your projects in Latvia: advancing wind energy

As Europe moves towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy future, wind is becoming one of the main ways to cut carbon emissions, foster a greener approach, and make energy prices more affordable for both companies and citizens. The European Union is at the forefront of this transformation by supporting wind projects across its Member States. A notable example is Latvia, where the wind sector is growing fast. Work is under way to prepare new offshore wind farms and to improve how wind turbines are maintained so they can produce more energy, more efficiently, and for longer. Several EU-funded projects are already contributing to this effort, turning ambition into reality.

ELWIND: preparing a joint offshore wind farm zone between Latvia and Estonia

ELWIND is a cross-border project led by Latvia and Estonia aiming to develop offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea. With a grant of €18.7 million from the Connecting Europe Facility for Energy (CEF Energy), the project is carrying out preparatory studies that will lay the groundwork for future construction of the wind farms.

This early-stage support helps both countries efficiently plan a shared offshore area, reduce risks for future investors and accelerate the integration of new renewable generation into the regional electricity system. By working together, the two countries aim to raise energy independence in the region by increasing production of green energy and improving transnational electricity connectivity.

RoboticRepair: first-of-a-kind robots for faster blade repair

Supported by the Innovation Fund with a grant of €4.4 million, RoboticRepair is developing 30 first-of-a-kind robots that can repair rotor-blades of wind turbines much faster than it currently is the case. These robots, produced in Europe, aim to reduce the risk of blade failure - the blades being both the most expensive and most vulnerable component of a turbine.

The robots can perform repair tasks up to 67% faster, with the same or even better-quality standards. This means that turbines spend less time switched off for maintenance and can produce more clean energy. Over ten years, the 30 robots are expected to save up to 145 years of combined turbine downtime, and generate about 918,320 MWh of additional renewable energy.

The project will also create skilled jobs and make the wind energy sector safer by reducing risky manual work at height.

Aerones: adapting onshore robotics for offshore maintenance

Aerones , supported by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) with a grant of €1.7 million, is developing a robotic system to inspect and maintain offshore wind turbines without requiring access by human technicians. The technology builds on the company's existing onshore robots, adapting them for use at sea.

The prototype can deliver inspection and maintenance over 3 times faster than conventional methods, reducing the need for vessels, cutting costs, and allowing turbines to work longer without interruptions. The system can also be operated remotely, improving worker safety and enabling more frequent preventive maintenance.

The technology is expected to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions (up to 6.4 million tonnes per year) and marine pollution (up to 37% in 5 years), while protecting the blue economy.

Conclusion

Together, these projects show how EU funding supports Latvia's wind sector at every stage - from planning new offshore wind farms to using cutting-edge technology that keeps turbines running safely and efficiently for longer, saving money during the process.

The result is a more reliable electricity system, more affordable renewable energy and new opportunities for skilled jobs in a growing green economy.

These projects highlight the transformative impact of European support on local and regional energy landscapes, bringing Latvia closer to energy independence and a greener future, while setting a benchmark for other Member States.

Your EU - Your projects: where EU support makes a difference

These examples show how EU programmes managed by CINEA (the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency) translate ambitions into concrete results and impact. By combining funding with expert advice and cross-border cooperation, the EU helps innovative projects scale up, deliver benefits for citizens and businesses, and support a more sustainable, resilient Europe. Discover more stories in other countries!