Ventspils port plans to build solar parks

Ventspils Freeport will offer territory of dozens of hectares for the construction of solar parks, Latvian Radio reported on August 18.

Deputy manager of Ventspils Free Port, head of the Department of Marketing and Development Igors Udodovs said that the idea of building solar parks was the result of the current situation where prices of electricity and other resources are only rising. Sun energy is one of the solutions to acquire additional resources.

Udodovs said: “The idea of building solar parks has come from the reality of this day, every one of us is facing electricity prices, and they are often not too predictable. [..] 120 different companies with high electricity consumption work in the port, both port terminals and high-consumption industrial companies. Clearly, it is very important for every business to get electricity, relatively cheap and at stable prices.”

Udodovs said that the port was considering another energy development: "Global practice shows that hydrogen power plants are often being built near such solar parks. When there is too much sun and consumption is not so great, this electricity, which is cheap and left over, can be turned into hydrogen. [..] The Board of Ventspils Freeport has decided to allocate several dozen hectares to the development of such solar parks. We hope that there will be demand and we will be able to not only live green in the future, but there will be additional financial benefits for the port's producing companies."

Operators with interest in the development of solar parks may apply for an auction until August 26 for the granting of building rights for the construction of solar panels on four plots in the port's territory.

Source: eng.lsm.lv