CESI

Italian energy consultancy CESI S.p.A. was selected by Latvian TSO AS Augstsprieguma tīkls (AST) and Estonian TSO Elering AS through a joint procurement to perform the technological options study for the fourth Estonia–Latvia hybrid offshore electricity interconnection. The EUR 165,000 contract is shared equally between AST and Elering. CESI's study analyses interconnection configuration options across three potential connection points in Latvia and two in Estonia, identifying the optimal technical solution for the planned 1,000 MW offshore link between Saaremaa Island (Estonia) and the Kurzeme shore (Latvia). The work directly informs whether the link is delivered as 330 kV HVAC (the design reflected in the current EIA programme) or via HVDC alternatives, and shapes downstream Pre-FEED design carried out by Haskoning and Empire Engineering. The study was scheduled to complete by February 2026 and is paired with a separate cost–benefit analysis by French consultancy Artelys SAS due by March 2026. Both studies underpin the TSOs' future application for EU Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) co-financing for the interconnection construction phase.