At a time when the conflict in the Middle East has triggered a new energy crisis, experts at the Baltic region’s leading wind energy conference WindWorks 2026 emphasized clear evidence of the importance of renewables. “The era of fossil energy is over, and technological development has brought renewable energy to the forefront,” stressed Latvia’s Minister for Climate and Energy, Kaspars Melnis. At the same time, energy is no longer just an economic issue — it has become one of the cornerstones of security for the Baltic states.
Conference participants noted that fluctuations in global energy supply and the geopolitical situation have accelerated the transition toward local energy production. “Locally produced energy is a resource we can rely on in times of crisis,” said Edijs Šaicāns, Deputy State Secretary at the Ministry of Economics.
Opening the conference, Kaspars Melnis, Minister for Climate and Energy, emphasized that the development of renewable energy in Latvia is the right direction, as also reflected in the decrease in electricity prices compared to 2022. “So far, Latvia has successfully developed solar energy production, and the next step is broader use of wind energy,” noted K. Melnis.
Although each country plans to increase its domestically generated electricity capacity, it was repeatedly emphasized during the conference that, from an investor perspective, the Baltic states already form a single energy market, where decisions in one country directly affect the others. This means that closer cross-border cooperation and coordinated action will be essential for future development.
Experts stressed that flexible solutions will play an increasingly important role in future energy systems – including energy storage, smart management, and demand balancing. Discussions also highlighted the strategic importance of offshore wind energy, noting that its development will require stronger government involvement.
Green Energy Becomes a Prerequisite for Investment
The conference also extensively discussed the role of wind energy in the development of other sectors.
Ieva Jāgere, Director of the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, explained that the availability of green electricity has become a fundamental prerequisite for investors: “When considering entering a new market, investors no longer primarily ask about human resources, but rather about stable and green electricity.”
The role of wind energy as a catalyst for other industries was demonstrated by a cooperation memorandum signed during the conference between Northern Europe Energy Group, SEFE, and the Baltic Sea Hydrogen Collector consortium. It предусматриes the development of a Nordic-Baltic hydrogen ecosystem and the creation of a cross-border green hydrogen corridor to Germany. The project “CIS Liepaja”, planned to be implemented in Latvia, could reach up to 100,000 tonnes of green hydrogen production per year, attracting more than €1 billion in investment.
Fragmented Decision-Making Slows Development
Wind farm developers highlighted market saturation and the lack of a unified approach in cooperation with municipalities as key challenges. Industry representatives noted that not all projects currently have sufficient economic justification in a highly saturated market. A critical factor is clarity regarding future electricity demand growth and its practical use. To ensure project viability, confidence in stable offtake is essential — something that can be supported through international partnerships and practical solutions such as power purchase agreements (PPAs), which provide price predictability and long-term stability.
Security Becomes a Central Energy Issue
Security was also a major focus during the conference, with participants emphasizing that energy infrastructure is increasingly becoming a target for both physical and cyberattacks. Experts stressed the need to strengthen cooperation between civilian and military structures, as well as to integrate security solutions already at the early stages of project development.
Rolands Irklis, Chairman of the Management Board of Latvia’s transmission system operator Augstsprieguma tīkls, stated:“Ou r focus today is not only on protecting infrastructure, but also on the ability to respond quickly and restore system operations in case of disruptions.”
Particularly valuable insights were shared by Andriy Konechenkov, Chairman of the Board of the Ukrainian Wind Energy Association, who emphasized that this winter’s electricity disruptions have exposed the vulnerability of centralized energy systems. Ukraine is actively sharing its experience with European partners to support the development of more resilient and secure energy systems across the region.
The conference discussions brought together 80 experts and policymakers from various sectors, while more than 700 participants from 19 countries attended the event in person, demonstrating the growing interest in the Baltic region’s energy development potential.
A photo recap of the event and recordings of the discussions are available at:
www.windworks.lv
