Poland Takes Major Step Toward Offshore Wind Leadership with Baltic Power Substations Completion

Poland Takes Major Step Toward Offshore Wind Leadership with Baltic Power Substations Completion

(IN BRIEF) Poland is advancing its offshore wind energy ambitions with the completion of two key substations for the Baltic Power wind farm, marking the start of commercial-scale offshore wind development in the country. The project is part of a broader strategy to achieve 5.9 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030, with the potential to generate 33 GW, meeting over 50% of Poland’s electricity demand. The development will also create significant economic and job opportunities, particularly in coastal regions.

(PRESS RELEASE) BRUSSELS, 25-Jan-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Poland is positioning itself to become a leading force in offshore wind energy in the Baltic Sea, with significant strides being made in its domestic offshore wind supply chain. On January 23, 2025, Grupa Przemysłowa Baltic (GPB), a Polish manufacturer specializing in complex steel structures, celebrated the completion of two offshore substations for the “Baltic Power” wind farm. This milestone marks the beginning of commercial-scale offshore wind development in Polish waters and signals a key moment in Poland’s renewable energy transition.

The completion of these substations in Gdańsk and Gdynia is part of Poland’s ambitious offshore wind strategy, which aims to achieve 5.9 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030. The Baltic Power wind farm, set to be commissioned in 2026, will be Poland’s first offshore wind farm and will supply 3% of the country’s electricity. This development is just one of seven planned offshore wind farms, contributing to Poland’s goal of a 33 GW offshore wind potential, which could meet over half of the country’s current electricity demand.

WindEurope Deputy CEO Malgosia Bartosik praised the project, noting that it represents a critical step for Poland’s energy transition and will generate substantial economic benefits. Offshore wind energy is already creating jobs and revitalizing coastal communities, particularly in Pomerania. Polish companies are making substantial contributions to the “Baltic Power” project, providing essential components such as cables, foundations, and substations, with approximately 20% of the total investment coming from domestic firms.

The launch of the “Baltic Power” project coincides with Poland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, with energy security, industrial competitiveness, and national security being key priorities. Offshore wind is central to these priorities, as it will reduce Poland’s dependence on energy imports, ensuring affordable and reliable electricity while enhancing Europe’s industrial competitiveness.

Malgosia Bartosik also highlighted the importance of the upcoming “Clean Industrial Deal” to be presented by the European Commission, which is focused on strengthening Europe’s industrial base through the expansion of competitive, home-grown renewable energy sources like offshore wind. The progress in Poland exemplifies how decarbonization and competitiveness can go hand in hand, making Poland and Europe more resilient and autonomous in the global energy landscape.

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Offshore electrical substations play a key role in wind farm projects. They convert electricity from offshore wind turbines and transmit it to the mainland. Each of the two substations built by Grupa Przemysłowa Baltic (GPB) for the Baltic Power project weighs approximately 1,300 tons and measures 20 x 40 x 40 meters—the size of a multi-story building. Constructing the substations took nearly two years, involving over 400 employees from GPB’s facilities in Gdańsk and Gdynia.

Offshore wind in Poland: WindEurope members find more information on the different phases of offshore wind development, the awarded projects and developers as well as the timelines in our Wind Intelligence Platform.

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SOURCE: WindEurope