Baltic Power Installs Two 2,500-Tonne Offshore Substations, Marking Major Milestone for Poland’s First Offshore Wind Farm

Baltic Power Installs Two 2,500-Tonne Offshore Substations, Marking Major Milestone for Poland’s First Offshore Wind Farm

(IN BRIEF) Baltic Power, a joint venture between ORLEN and Northland Power, has installed two 2,500-tonne offshore substations for Poland’s first offshore wind farm, marking a major milestone in the project’s construction. Fabricated in Gdynia and Gdańsk with significant contributions from Polish industry, the substations will collect power from 76 turbines and transmit it to shore via subsea cables. The project demonstrates strong domestic involvement, with local companies providing equipment such as Protea’s specialist cranes and foundation elements. Once operational next year, the 1.2 GW Baltic Power wind farm will supply up to 4 TWh of renewable energy annually, powering 1.5 million homes and covering 3% of Poland’s electricity demand.

(PRESS RELEASE) PŁOCK, 29-Oct-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Baltic Power, a joint venture between ORLEN and Canada’s Northland Power, has completed the successful installation of two offshore substations—each weighing approximately 2,500 tonnes—for Poland’s first offshore wind farm. The substations, known as OSS West and OSS East, are crucial components of the project’s power infrastructure and will collect electricity generated by the wind turbines and transmit it to the onshore grid.

The offshore substations were installed about 20 kilometres off the coast near Choczewo and will receive energy produced by 76 turbines, each rated at 15 MW, before transmitting it via subsea export cables to the onshore substation in Choczewo municipality. Each unit is equipped with dual transformers, 230 kV and 66 kV switchgear, control and monitoring systems, diesel generators, and advanced auxiliary systems to ensure reliable and remote operation.

“The offshore substations are among the most vital elements of the Baltic Power wind farm,” said Ireneusz Fąfara, President of the Management Board and CEO of ORLEN. “They will enable the delivery of clean, zero-emission energy generated in the Baltic Sea directly into Poland’s grid and to our customers. Their installation was a complex logistical achievement and demonstrates the strength and coordination of our project partners. It’s especially noteworthy that Polish companies contributed to the manufacturing of the substations, marking an important step in building domestic expertise in offshore energy. Increasing local participation in ORLEN’s investment projects remains one of our key priorities.”

The main contractor for the substations was a consortium between CS Wind Offshore and Semco Maritime, supported by a network of Polish companies. The steel structures were fabricated in Gdynia and Gdańsk, with Grupa Przemysłowa Baltic, part of the Industrial Development Agency (ARP) Group, leading construction efforts. The topsides—each weighing 1,300 tonnes before outfitting—were transported to Denmark for the installation of additional systems, bringing each unit’s total weight to 2,500 tonnes. The substations also feature specialist cranes manufactured by the Polish firm Protea, further highlighting domestic industry’s growing involvement in offshore renewables.

In addition to the substations, Polish companies have contributed to turbine nacelle components, onshore cables, and foundation elements, while also serving as lead contractors for several installation and construction stages. Local participation in the Baltic Power project is estimated to reach at least 21% throughout its lifecycle—from design and construction to decommissioning—representing a substantial boost for Poland’s industrial and engineering sectors.

The Baltic Power wind farm, covering more than 130 km² about 23 km from the coast near Łeba and Choczewo, is expected to be completed next year. Once operational, it will deliver 1.2 GW of installed capacity—enough to supply around 4 TWh of renewable electricity annually, meeting approximately 3% of Poland’s total power demand and providing clean energy to 1.5 million households. Following construction, the project will undergo a rigorous testing, certification, and permitting phase before beginning commercial operation.

Media contact:
media@orlen.pl

SOURCE: ORLEN