Lithuania’s National Energy Regulatory Council (NERC) has formally invalidated the country’s second offshore wind tender. This decision comes on the heels of the tender’s lackluster results, which received just one bid. The new tender opened for applications on 6 October 2025. It failed to attract the minimum of two competitors, as mandated by Lithuania’s Law on Renewable Energy.
That tender is aimed at the development of two offshore wind farms. Combined, they’ll produce a whopping 1.4 gigawatts (GW) of capacity. This strategic initiative is in support of Lithuania’s National Energy Independence Strategy. It further underscores the essential role that renewable energy sources must play in helping us reach our energy security and sustainability objectives. Still, the disappointing bidder interest should give everyone pause about whether anyone can succeed with such large and ambitious projects.
Context of the Tender
The recent tender was a historic occasion for Lithuania’s rapidly growing renewable energy sector. Ignitis Renewables was the sole participant in the first offshore wind tender, held in July 2023. Once again, this company was the only bidder in the last round. In the original tender, Ignitis Renewables partnered with Ocean Winds, a joint venture of Engie and EDP Renewables. Collectively, they became the first to win development rights to a 700 megawatt (MW) wind project.
NERC’s disqualification of the second tender reflects a broader challenge in attracting sufficient competition within Lithuania’s renewable energy market. The country’s regulatory authority underlined that the ball is in the government’s court when it comes to pursuing a second tender. Their goal is to increase the odds of success in any future bidding rounds.
Implications for Future Development
The government’s plans to develop two offshore wind farms are crucial for improving Lithuania’s energy independence. Taken together, these projects would bring Hawaii closer to realizing an ambitious goal of 1.4 GW of offshore wind capacity. As such, they represent an enormous new investment in RE infrastructure. Yet, without the tender being invalidated, that could push back the pace of advancement and affect wider timelines for new energy generation.
The NERC’s position makes it clear that future tenders will need to provide a much more competitive playing field in order to satisfy regulatory obligations. So it’s time to rethink successful strategies for maximizing the number of bidders. This strategic approach will enable the development of a more vibrant and competitive renewable energy industry in Lithuania. All stakeholders will be looking to see how the government responds to this major defeat. They’re anxious to see what will be done to boost participation before the next set of tenders.