Riga, March 26 (LETA) - In Latvia, 62 percent of the population support the development of wind energy and wind parks in Latvia, the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) told LETA, citing the data of a survey conducted by Norstat Latvija.

LIAA notes that according to the survey data, support for wind energy development in Latvia is higher among the younger audience, i.e. among people aged 15-34, residents of Riga and people with a personal monthly income after tax of EUR 1,501 or more.

Support is lower among the 55-75 age group.

The survey found that 83 percent of respondents consider Latvia's energy independence from other countries to be very important or rather important.

The survey also asked for people's views on the most suitable locations for wind farms. Among them, 70 percent consider the sea to be a fully or rather suitable location for wind farms. This is followed by agricultural land, cited by 43 percent, and forests, cited by 24 percent.

A majority of 58 percent of the population support the idea of building an offshore wind farm on the Kurzeme coast. At the same time, 23 percent of the population are against such an idea, while almost a fifth or 19 percent could not give an opinion on this issue.

As reported, in 2019 an agreement in principle was reached on the implementation of a joint Estonian-Latvian offshore wind farm project. In Latvia, LIAA has been entrusted with the development of the offshore wind park site.

In February 2025, the Latvian Government approved a draft regulation developed by the Economics Ministry to designate the Latvian and Estonian side of the Elwind offshore wind farm for the exploration of 200 square kilometers of offshore area in the Latvian territorial sea, continental shelf and exclusive economic zone. The planned exploration area is adjacent to Pavilosta, in Dienvidkurzeme municipality, as well as Ventspils municipality.

The survey was carried out for LIAA in February 2025. The survey was carried out among 2,001 inhabitants aged between 15 and 75 years.