Polish energy company PKN Orlen has submitted an environmental study for an offshore wind project in the Baltic Sea.
The study was submitted to the Regional Directorate of Environmental Protection in Gdansk.
PKN Orlen is required to submit the study as part of the process to secure a permit to construct the wind farm.
Information contained in the report will be used as part of stakeholder and public consultations.
The study’s findings will be used to plan the project’s implementation while minimising environmental impact of the wind farm’s development and construction.
The study spans an area of 323 square kilometres.
Specialised aircraft and 18 vessels were deployed to gather data over a 17-month period.
Analysis spans the geological structure of the seabed, chemical properties of the water at the site and inventory of flora and fauna found in the area of the planned investment.
The presence of marine mammals was verified using underwater acoustic detectors, as well as by flying an observation aircraft.
Bird observations and migrations were carried out over 120 cruise days. Bat activity studies were conducted in two specialized research stations and over a total distance of 55 km.
PKN Orlen chairman Daniel Obajtek said: “Close to 1.2GW of installed capacity in the Baltic Sea, together with our planned investments in gas assets, will permanently change the energy mix in Poland, ensuring the stability of supply, with a significant reduction in emissions.
“The completion of environmental research and the submission of a report for offshore wind investment is a milestone that opens the way for us to make profound changes to the Polish electricity system.
PKN Orlen will produce a preliminary plan, using the data collected, that includes selection of the most suitable turbine type, capacity as well as foundation structures.
PKN Orlen is developing offshore wind projects through the company Baltic Power, which has a concession for up to 1.2GW across a total area of 10,000 square metres.
The company is in the process of selecting an industry partner and technical advisor to support development of its offshore wind investments.