The construction of two substations for Poland’s first offshore wind farm was recently completed, marking the beginning of large-scale offshore wind development in Polish waters. Offshore wind farms, located farther from land at sea, utilize stronger and more consistent marine winds, making them more efficient in generating electricity. Additionally, they reduce issues and concerns related to noise and visual impact, which are common with onshore wind farms. However, they are technically more complex and costly to build and maintain due to the challenges of operating in a marine environment.
Nevertheless, Poland anticipates that this will be the most advanced offshore wind farm, with “Baltic Power” set to become operational in 2026, making it the country’s first offshore wind farm.
By 2030, Poland plans to achieve 5.9 GW of capacity from offshore wind farms as part of the first phase of its wind energy projects, which includes a total of seven individual wind farms. The substations completed in Gdańsk and Gdynia will be installed as part of the “Baltic Power” wind farm, which is considered the most advanced project, according to WindEurope.
More:
- EU Built 13 GW of Wind Energy in 2024, but 30 GW Annually Is Needed – What’s Slowing Development?
- EBRD Supports the Largest Onshore Wind Project in Africa
- One year since the European Wind Charter: Lots achieved, lots more to do
The completion of this wind farm will cover 3 percent of Poland’s current electricity consumption. The Polish Wind Energy Association estimates the total potential for offshore wind energy in the country at 33 GW, which could make Poland a leading country for offshore wind energy in the Baltic Sea and significantly contribute to reducing the use of coal as the dominant energy source.
In February, the European Commission is set to unveil the “Net-Zero Industry Act,” a new vision for Europe’s industrial revival. This plan will focus on expanding domestic, competitive renewable energy sources as a key element for preserving Europe’s industrial competitiveness and leadership in decarbonization, especially in the context of global economic uncertainty.
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