4th Kuressaare Offshore Wind Conference 2025

For the fourth time we invite you all to gather in Kuressaare, to attend the 4th Kuressaare Offshore Wind Conference on Wednesday, March 12, at Thule Koda in Kuressaare,.

This year’s conference will explore the major shifts in the offshore wind sector over the past year, introduce new projects in Estonia and examine the key ingredients for success – ranging from financing models and grid development to offtake challenges and socio-economic impacts. We will also address growing security concerns in the Baltic Sea, their impact on offshore wind sector and assess the challenges of integrating large-scale offshore wind into the energy system. As in previous years, we will engage both local and international experts, aiming to provide the audience with insightful and relevant discussions!

The Netherlands Embassy in Estonia, Saare Wind Energy including Van Oord, the Estonian Wind Power Association and Saaremaa Development Center mutually organise this conference. We anticipate a meaningful event that will allow Estonian and international stakeholder to connect and discuss the Estonian and Baltic Sea offshore wind developments.

In order to arrange everything, please register for the conference via this page. Participation will be free of charge and it will be an invitation-only event.

For any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact The Netherlands Embassy in Tallinn at [email protected].

We look forward to welcoming you in Kuressaare on March 12, 2025!

On behalf of the organisers,
The Netherlands Embassy in Estonia
The Estonian Wind Power Association
The Saaremaa Development Center
Saare Wind Energy, including Van Oord

Program

9:00 – 9:30
Coffee & Registration

09:30 – 10:00
Opening

Johannes Tralla – Moderator
Video welcome by the Minister of Climate, Yoko Alender
Sander van der Sluis – The Netherlands Ambassador to Estonia

10:00 – 11:10 BLOCK I

Winds of change – market shifts and new opportunities. A look at the past year’s changes in the sector and introducing new offshore development projects in Estonia.

Peter Brun – DNV/Global Offshore Wind Segment Leader
Imke Maassen van de Brink – Director at AFRI Netherlands Renewables
Karlis Goldstein – Head of Renewables/Ministry of Climate

Interview with the new kids on the block: Magnus Hallman (Country Manager/Deep Wind Offshore) and a representative of OXAN TBC

Panel discussion: Anu Eslas/Head of International Business Development at Ignitis, Juhan Aguraiuja TBC/CEO of Enefit Green, Peter Brun, Imke Maassen van de Brink

11:10 – 11:40 Coffee break

11:40 – 12:50 BLOCK II

Clearing the path: what is needed to make it happen. Key enablers for success of offshore wind: experience from other countries about financing, grid development, CfD, offtake etc.

Christian Knütel – Hogan Lovells/Partner
Priit Heinla – Offshore Grid Development Manager/Elering
Jeppe Johansen – Chief Advisor/Danish Energy Agency

Panel discussion: Andres Sutt/Member of Parliament, Rene Tammist/Member of the Management Board at Utilitas, Holger Miara/Offshore Project Development at Van Oord/Saare Wind Energy, Christian Knütel

12:50 – 13:50 Lunch

13:50 – 14:40 BLOCK III

Socio-economic impact. Offshore wind can drive job creation, industrial growth, regional development, energy security, while also attracting billions in investments.

Energy Islands initiative: Patrick Dahl (Gotland Energi Centrum), Mads Bay Møller (Baltic Energy Island), Yvonne Österlund (Åland Government), Sulev Alajõe (Estonian Islands Energy Agency)

14:40 – 15:20 BLOCK IV

Fortifying the future: security and offshore wind. Addressing security risks, the resilience of offshore infrastructure and energy independence in the Baltic region.

Per Olav Foss – Senior Advisor Marine Security /SSU SCC SEM/Equinor ASA
Jan Verschuren – Dutch FLECS, Field Lab Energy Cyber Security

Panel discussion: Per Olav Foss, Jan Verschuren

15:20 – 15:50 Coffee break

15:50 – 17:00 BLOCK V

Evolving energy system – new balance with offshore wind. How to integrate large-scale offshore wind to the energy system and impact on regional electricity market. Can offshore wind be the baseload?

Sonja Berlijn – Business Director/DNV and Professor Secure Power Systems at UiO
Moritz Wienhold – Manager European Offshore Wind Development /50 Hertz
Bastiaan Bor TBC – Commercial Director/Pondera
Hannes Agabus – Energy Economics Expert/TalTech

Panel discussion: Ain Laidoja/Estonian Association of H2 Technologies, Sonja Berlijn, Moritz Wienhold, Hannes Agabus, Bastiaan Bor

17:00 – 17:10 Concluding the day by the moderator/ Group Picture

17:10 – 18:00 Networking reception by the Netherlands ambassador to Estonia, Sander van der Sluis

19:00 – … Light dinner/celebratory gathering at Restaurant La Perla, address: Lossi 3