Possibilities for Public Private Partnership in upgrading harbours for offshore developments

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Estonia-Latvia

Date of latest update: 2025-12-10

Description

Description (EN):

The inevitable development of offshore wind farms near the Estonian biggest islands and the Kurzeme region takes place in coming years. The issue to be addressed today is if small harbors of the region, and thus the local communities, can gain from these developments and increase the resilience of the regions. Currently, the development of small harbors has been analysed and planned from the perspective of tourism or fishing mainly. With the development of wind farms, many of the harbors will be located “behind” the wind farms that may have a negative impact on maritime tourism. The study carried out under the project and a joint strategy provide the harbors with development perspective from the aspect of establishing new services related to the wind farms construction and further maintenance. It is also important for the harbors that may face reduction in tourism volumes to reconsider their business model. It is reasonable to address the issues of the development of harbors related to offshore developments as a cross-border task in order not to fragmentate the issues of future developments as well as to avoid overlapping future activities. Cooperation over competition in the region is of benefit to the communities and economies here. Project outputs: * A joint strategy for harbours development in the project area of Latvia and Estonia. * Local development and action plans for harbours – Talsi, Saaremaa, Hiiumaa. * Cooperation model for a future joint action for harbors development. A new approach is a joint development strategy and action plan to small harbor in the Estonia-Latvia project area, addressing the harbors as a network. The project aims at facilitating the application of public-private-partnership principles for investments to develop harbors and their surrounding areas of different types of property ownership.

Actual Achievements (EN):

The objective is to seek for solutions to increase the potential of the harbours, communities and regions in the areas of the future wind farms, also other offshore facilities to gain from the developments. The project addresses the Riga Gulf and maritime space West of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa. The results are important to the harbours, SMEs with a potential for providing services in demand near the harbours, the local/regional authorities related to these areas and the communities in these areas. During the reporting period #1, the activities of WP1, scheduled for the period of January to December 2024, have been started and are in the progress. The activities required to achieve the objectives of the project via WP1 will be continued in the following reporting periods. Achievements of the objective(s): The objective is to seek for solutions to increase the potential of the harbours, communities and regions in the areas of the future wind farms, also other offshore facilities to gain from the developments. The project addresses the Riga Gulf and maritime space West of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa. The results are important to the harbours, SMEs with a potential for providing services in demand near the harbours, the local/regional authorities related to these areas and the communities in these areas. During the reporting period #2, work was continued on preparing the joint strategy for developing harbours in Estonia and Latvia. In June, the project management team (representatives of all partners) meeting discussed further action for WP1 and having impact on WP2. The project partners, in cooperation with the survey service provider developed a questionnaire to gather from all relevant harbours in both countries information on their current situation and future plans as well as on perceived obstacles to future development. From Estonia 34 and from Latvia 11 harbours in state, municipal, NGO and private ownership were engaged. Talsi Municipality prepared involving a service provider for the analysis of Latvian harbours and contributing to the Talsi municipality harbours development plan under WP2. In August, the issues of educational dimension and the PPP method were discussed to further the preparation of the joint strategy. Also, the dissemination seminars were started to be prepared. The joint strategy will be further developed and finalized in the project period #3. Achievements of the objective(s): The objective is to seek for solutions to increase the potential of the harbours, communities and regions in the areas of the possible future wind farms, also other offshore facilities to gain from the developments. The project addresses the Riga Gulf and maritime space West of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa. The results are important to the harbours, SMEs with a potential for providing services in demand near the harbours, the local/regional authorities related to these areas and the communities in these areas. During the reporting period #3, regular work by partners and experts was continued to finalise the strategy survey. MERLI contracted external expertise for gathering and analysing the information on the possibilities of applying PPP methods for developing harbours. On 17 Oct., a dissemination seminar was organized by Estonian partners in Saaremaa, in the course of which representatives of businesses, service providers and support organisations discussed and provided extra information to be considered in the joint strategy for Latvian and Estonian harbours. In September, the Latvian partners had a dissemination seminar on the ZOOM platform, bringing together 13 participants, including representatives of educational institutions and port managers. Kurzeme Planning Region visited vocational training centres in Pärnu and Saaremaa to learn about the related vocational training steps taken in Estonia and to share the experience of preparing required specialists. Kurzeme Planning Centre prepared the report "Educational Opportunities and Workforce Development Potential in the Offshore Wind Sector" as Annex 3 to the strategy. All partners and the involved experts from Estonia and Latvia gathered in Pärnu (11 Nov.) to have a final discussion and agreeing on the build-up of the joint strategy as well as the issues that had remained to be clarified in the strategy survey, application of PPP methods and upskilling the required workforce in both countries. In September, the Latvian partners had a project dissemination seminar on educational aspects, particularly integrating vocational education into port operations related to the construction and maintenance of offshore wind farms. The joint strategy was finalised in December and is together with annexes available here: https://marineindustry.ee/en/projects/harbours-interreg/ The strategy survey (https://marineindustry.ee/en/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ANNEX-1-Est-Lat-harbours-joint-strategy-survey-2024.pdf ) “Possibilities for upskilling” (https://kurzemesregions.lv/en/report-enhancing-workforce-development-for-offshore-wind-energy-projects/). The research on intoducing upskilling curricula in Latvia will be continued during WP2. Public Private Partnership (PPP) possibilities for harbours in Estonia and Latvia (https://marineindustry.ee/en/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ANNEX-2-Public-private-partnership-PPP-possibilities-for-Est-Lat-harbours.pdf ). The PPP-related work will be continued in WP2, in the course of elaborating local harbours development plans in municipalities. During the periods #4-#6 (year 2025), the partners will implement WP2, local development and action plans up to 2035 for the harbours of Talsi, Saaremaa and Hiiumaa. On 31.01.25, the partners had an introductory discussion on WP2. A more detailed meeting of all partners took place on 15.04.25, after Saaremaa, Hiiumaa and Talsi municipalities had launched official processes and taken initial steps in developing or upgrading their harbours’ development plans. Further steps on the local harbours’ development plans were discussed as well as well as the project time and activity plan and budget were revised. Saaremaa, Hiiumaa and Talsi municipalities have started the process of producing their harbours development plans. Talsi Municipality is using external expertise for the purpose while Saaremaa and Hiiumaa municipalities have established working groups and involve several stakeholders to work on their development documents. Talsi Municipality has concluded procurement process by the end of April and goes on with evaluation and contracting processes. All municipalities rely in developing their documents on the joint strategy produced and agreed on under WP1. MERLI has been involved in the processes of the development plans of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa municipalities since January. Kurzeme Planning Region has introduced the project at the conference “Impact of Wind Power Plants on the Kurzeme Coast”. (30.01.25, Pāvilosta), discussed with K2 Vendum (21.02.25) offshore wind park development and its potential impact on the coastal environment near harbours, continued discussion with schools in Kurzeme region on potential education programmes on offshore energy. On 24.04.25, the Project Manager, A.Hartikainen made a presentation at the conference “WindWorks – Powering energy”, organised by the Latvian Wind Energy Association, Estonian Wind Power Association and Lithuanian Wind Power Association in Riga. A.Hartikainen introduced the “Harbours and PPP” project and the cooperation on Estonian and Latvian harbours. The conference is the main platform for experts, policymakers, investors, and other stakeholders to network and discuss opportunities, challenges and best practices in the wind energy sector across the Baltic States. https://www.windworks.lv/ Working on the development plans will continue during period #5. Saaremaa, Hiiumaa and Talsi municipalities proceeded with working on their harbours development plans. In Hiiumaa, the development of harbours has earlier not been addressed at a comprehensive level. MERLI provided input in the Terms of Reference for Hiiumaa harbours development plan as well as in the questionnaire for Hiiumaa harbours. Relying on the study under WP1, Estonian partners discussed the feasibility practicalities of applying public-private-partnership models in small harbours that all the harbours in Saaremaa and Hiiumaa municipalities are. The public-private-partnership topic is addressed in the harbours development plans of both Saaremaa and Hiiumaa municipalities. During the dissemination event on 30 May, the harbours community, local authority and other relevant stakeholders in Hiiumaa Municipality discussed the information and data on harbours and suggestions for the development plan. At the end of August, the first full draft of the document was completed in Hiiumaa. On 23 July, the Saaremaa MG dissemination event took place where the draft of the Saaremaa MG harbours development plan was discussed. Talsi Municipality, which involves external expertise to elaborate the harbours development plan, proceeded with the procurement process. Unfortunately, the first round of the service procurement process concluded with no positive result. Talsi Municipality announced another round of the service procurement on 11 July. In August, the contracting process with the selected supplier was initiated. The dissemination event in Talsi Municipality was postponed into the project period #6, which Kurzeme Planning Region will continue working with.

Project outputs: Joint strategy report for harbours development in the project area of Estonia and Latvia.(EN)
Local development and action plans for the harbours of Talsi, Saaremaa and Hiiumaa.(EN)
Cooperation model for future joint regular strategic action for harbours development.(EN)

Thematic information

Coastal management and maritime issues

Priority: (VI-A_EE-Lv_1) More cooperating cross-border regions and development of joint services

Priority specific objective: ISO6.2. Enhance efficient public administration by promoting legal and administrative cooperation and cooperation between citizens, civil society actors and institutions, in particular with a view to resolving legal and other obstacles in border regions (strands A, C, D and, where appropriate, strand B)

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO6 (ISO1) A better cooperation governance

Type of intervention: 173 Enhancing institutional capacity of public authorities and stakeholders to implement territorial cooperation projects and initiatives in a cross-border, transnational, maritime and inter-regional context

Partners (5)

Lead Partner: mittetulundusühing Eesti Meretööstuse Liit

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 883473867

Partner’s ID if not PIC: EE101815903

Address: Sadama, 93872 Nasva, Saaremaa vald, Estonia

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.marineindustry.ee

Total budget: EUR 190 200.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 152 160.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 38 040.00

Hiiumaa Vallavalitsus

Name: Hiiumaa Vallavalitsus

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 892551224

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 77000424

Address: Keskväljak, 92413 Kärdla, Estonia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.vald.hiiumaa.ee

Total budget: EUR 17 400.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 13 920.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 3 480.00

Kurzemes plānošanas reģions

Name: Kurzemes plānošanas reģions

Department: Project unit

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 950641614

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 90002183562

Address: Avotu, LV-3801 Saldus, Latvia

Department address: Valguma iela , LV-1048 Rīga, Latvia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Regional public authority

Website: http://www.kurzemesregions.lv

Total budget: EUR 50 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 40 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 10 000.00

Saaremaa Vallavalitsus

Name: Saaremaa Vallavalitsus

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 896928058

Partner’s ID if not PIC: EE102037395

Address: Tallinna, 93819 Kuressaare, Estonia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.saaremaavald.ee

Total budget: EUR 17 400.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 13 920.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 3 480.00

Talsu Novada pašvaldība

Name: Talsu Novada pašvaldība

Department: Development planning and Project Management Unit

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 916997067

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 90009113532

Address: Kareivju, LV-3201 Talsi, Talsi district, Latvia

Department address: Kareivju, LV-3201 Talsi, Talsi district, Latvia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: https://talsunovads.lv

Total budget: EUR 100 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 80 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 20 000.00

Contractors:

Name: SIA "Konsorts" , SIA "Ardenis"
VAT registration or tax identification number: LV40003209785, LV40103441890
Name: SIA "Konsorts"
VAT registration or tax identification number: 40003209785

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Partners and Projects info

Hiiumaa Municipality Government

Possibilities for Public Private Partnership in upgrading harbours for offshore developments

Partners and Projects info

Kurzeme Planning Region

Possibilities for Public Private Partnership in upgrading harbours for offshore developments

Partners and Projects info

Saaremaa Municipality Government

Possibilities for Public Private Partnership in upgrading harbours for offshore developments

Partners and Projects info

Talsi Municipality

Possibilities for Public Private Partnership in upgrading harbours for offshore developments

Partners and Projects info

Association of Estonian Marine Industries

Possibilities for Public Private Partnership in upgrading harbours for offshore developments

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Possibilities for Public Private Partnership in upgrading harbours for offshore developments

Project acronym: Harbours and PPP

Project ID: EE-LV00063

Project start date: 2024-01-01

Project end date: 2026-12-31

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

The projects EST-LAT Harbours (Est-Lat 55) and EASTBALTIC HARBOURS (Est-Lat 177) implemented during the previous EU financial period under Estonia-Latvia programme. (EN) | The projects have created a close cooperation network of the East Baltic Coast harbours. This network has facilitated the creation of a number of services to foster the economic capacity of harbours during a low season in particular. The previous cooperation experience allows a solid base for a more ambitious further cooperation for establishing and providing services to the marine industry. As small and medium size harbours have no capacity for investments that exceed their revenues, new services to marine industry may for a number of harbours become the means for increasing their revenues and partner up for PPP. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 375 000.00

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 300 000.00

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 80.00%

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 300 000.00. Co-financing rate, 80.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyBalticSeaRegion Current project is related to EUSBSR objectives - ‘Save the sea’ and ‘Connect the Region’ (to improve the access to, and the efficiency and security of energy markets), sub-objective: reliable energy markets. The project relates to Action 4 “Increasing the share of renewable energy including marine renewable energy” for PA Energy - *Commit to continue and intensify cooperation towards the achievement of the binding national and the EU’s 20% renewable targets for 2020, and to ensure the delivery of the national contributions to, and the collective achievement of the binding 2030 EU target of at least 32% (or higher as may be revised), as provided for in the Renewable Energy Directive (2008/28/EC) and the recast Renewable Energy Directive (2018/2001/EU); * Explore options and funding possibilities to engage in joint projects; *Continue work on the integration of renewable electricity into the power system and explore possibilities of cooperation in concrete areas, such as the development of the region’s offshore wind potential, investment in and management of the electricity grid, including as regards system services, the use of storage and sector integration or coupling; * Discuss possibilities and modalities to use cooperation mechanisms, such as cross-border and joint support schemes, joint projects, statistical transfers and the renewable development platform established under the recast Renewable Energy Directive to facilitate delivering the national targets and contributions and to move towards full decarbonisation by 2050.
Other Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan (BEMIP) action plan for Competitive, Secure and Sustainable Energy (2021): Thanks to a coordinated approach through a comprehensive set of measures, the BEMIP action plan contributed to integrating the energy infrastructure in the Baltic Sea region and thus effectively ending the energy isolation of the Baltic States and connecting them with the rest of Europe, it helped increase the integration of renewables into the grid and the security of supply in the region.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 083 - Strategies and action plans jointly developed, Measurement unit:

Delivered output indicator(s):

(RCO83) Strategies and action plans jointly developed: 1.0

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
RCR 079 - Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations, Measurement unit:

Delivered result indicator(s):

(RCR79) Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations: 1.0

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSBSR

EUSBSR Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:

EUSBSR Degree of compliance:

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Estonia-Latvia

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2025-08-15

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

53 / 53 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

240 / 240 (100%)

Notes on the data

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Possibilities for Public Private Partnership in upgrading harbours for offshore developments

Description

Thematic information

Partners (5)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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