Orlen and Northland Power have commenced construction of Poland’s first offshore wind farm, the 1200MW Baltic Power.
After months of preparation, a fleet of 11 specialised vessels has mobilised to begin installing the foundations for project.
This stage has already seen the successful installation of the first two of a total of 78 monopiles – 100-metre steel structures that will support 15MW wind turbines.
The 1.2GW Baltic Power wind farm is set to commence operations in 2026.
Offshore wind is a key element of the ORLEN Group’s new strategy, which targets the deployment of more than 4 GW of installed capacity in the Baltic Sea in partnership with leading industry players.
Baltic Power is the first and most advanced offshore wind energy project in the Polish Baltic Sea.
As part of its new strategy, Orlen has also committed to developing three additional offshore wind farms, for which it has already secured licences.
Together with large-scale energy storage, onshore renewables, gas-fired power plants, and small modular reactors, offshore wind will be a cornerstone of Poland’s energy transition.
“Our new strategy is about action and delivering tangible progress, as demonstrated by Poland’s first offshore wind farm.
“After months of intensive work, we are proud to confirm that the first foundations for the Baltic Power project have been installed.
“By 2026, energy from the Baltic Sea will be flowing to consumers for the first time. This is clean, stable, and secure power that will drive Poland’s economy forward.
“It also creates opportunities for Polish businesses to grow alongside our project. This is the energy of tomorrow – starting today,” said Ireneusz Fafara, President of the Management Board and CEO of Orlen.
Orlen is committed to maximising Polish industry participation across the entire 30-year lifecycle of the Baltic Power wind farm.
Key components, including turbine nacelles, subsea cables, offshore substation steel structures, and foundation elements, are being manufactured in Szczecin, Bydgoszcz, the Tri-City area, Zary and Niemodlin.
Additionally, Polish companies are providing geological surveys, engineering design and logistics support for the project.
“As co-developers of Poland’s first offshore wind farm, we are excited to contribute our global experience in offshore wind projects.
“This achievement not only demonstrates our progress together, but also fuels our determination.
“Safety remains our top priority throughout every stage, ensuring we uphold the highest standards in every aspect of the project. Today’s milestone is a testament to the strong partnership between Northland and ORLEN and further solidifies our shared commitment to Poland’s energy future,” said Christine Healy, President and CEO of Northland Power.
Beyond the crane vessel, more than ten specialised ships are actively engaged in construction, including support vessels, tugboats, personnel and equipment carriers, environmental monitoring vessels and security patrols.
The Baltic Power Offshore Coordination Centre oversees all offshore construction activities and maritime traffic in real time.