Pomerania and Bremen are discussing the potential of regional cooperation in offshore wind

In March, a virtual meeting was held between representatives of the Pomeranian Platform for the Development of Offshore Wind Energy, the city of Bremen, and the German WAB cluster based in Bremerhaven. Participants agreed that development of offshore wind energy is a great opportunity for cooperation between Pomerania Region in Poland and Bremen. 

During the virtual meeting, representatives of Bremen Invest talked about ways to support the development of the offshore wind energy sector, whereas the WAB cluster emphasized the role of cluster organizations and talked about their activities in North-West Germany. The objectives of the Pomeranian Center of Competence for Marine Renewable Energy and the R&D Agenda were presented too. 

German perspective

Hans-Georg Tschupke, Head for Innovation, Industry, Digitisation, at the Senator for Economics, Labour and Europe in Bremen reminded that Germany already has a developed offshore wind sector and the new government plans 40 GW by 2030 and 70 GW by 2045. The development of wind energy is already a challenge not only for the industry, but for other industries. This sector is also a field for cooperation between Poland and Germany, especially between Pomerania or Bremen. 

Hans-Georg Tschupke

Heike Winkler, Managing Director of WAB, said that there are already 250 companies participating in the supply chain for this sector, but not only. The platform works in groups and discusses challenges such as the development of transmission infrastructure, life-cycle management of wind power plants, and others. The platform also supports communication, education, and training activities, but also the creation of regulations for offshore wind energy in Germany. 

Annette Lang, PhD, Head of Division, Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, said in commentary for BalticWind.EU that Bremen is one of the largest industrial locations in Germany and is one of the global players in the aerospace sector. Bremen is home to Daimler AG’s second largest production site worldwide. The outstanding competence in the field of maritime economy and logistics has grown historically. This is also illustrated by the fact that Bremen has had the highest export quota of all the federal states for years. 

“Bremen is one of the pioneers of wind energy, both onshore and offshore. The economy is at the same time a driving force for research and development, and offers jobs and training positions as well as orders for upstream and downstream industries”, says Lang. 

“Being a Hanseatic city for hundreds of years, foreign trade, international economic relations, and cooperation for the location Bremen and Germany are a central engine of growth and thus a guarantee for lasting economic success in the future”, she adds.

This also accounts for international cooperation in the offshore wind energy industry.

“Renewable energies will not only play a crucial role for the decarbonization of our industry and energy production, but also as a strategic component in regard to independence in energy production. The Pomorskie Voivodeship is a perfect partner for developing joint actions, building up a network of companies and research institutions from both our regions, fostering economic development in a carbon neutral, and peaceful future”, Lang explained.

Polish perspective

During the meeting, the Polish side was represented by Karolina Lipińska, PhD, Deputy Director of the Economic Development Department in the Office of the Marshal of Pomorskie Voivodeship.The Pomeranian Platform for the Development of Offshore Wind Energy in the Baltic Seawas established in Gdansk, which brings together actors in the Pomeranian offshore wind energy supply chain. 

Katarzyna Lipińska, PhD

Lipińska explains in a commentary to BalticWind.EU, that the Pomeranian Voivodeship, due to its geographical conditions, is naturally predisposed to be a national leader in renewable energy production. The region is an importer of electricity and therefore energy investments, including renewable energy, are an important element in ensuring energy security. 

“Many years ago, the local government of Pomorskie Voivodeship adopted a direction in the voivodeship development strategy aimed at developing renewable energy sources. The consequence of these decisions is, among others, the creation of the Pomeranian Platform for the Development of Offshore Wind Energy in 2020. Despite the fact that competences and decisions concerning the development of OWF are in the hands of governmental institutions, local governments have the possibility to support this process in terms of grassroots activities connected with creating the labour market and strengthening the so-called local content. The functioning of the Pomeranian Offshore Platform is to ensure the development of business contacts, facilitate the exchange of experience and transfer of good practices, as well as to prepare personnel for entities participating in investments related to the construction of renewable energy in the Baltic Sea”.

International economic contacts are crucial for these activities – Lipińska emphasises. Not only because partners from Denmark, Great Britain, Spain, or France are more experienced, but above all because they care about cooperation with Polish companies and institutions.

“The consequence of these actions is, among others, the meeting with the German cluster WAB and partners representing the city of Bremen. The talks included a presentation of assumptions of the Pomeranian Offshore Wind Energy Competence Centre and the R&D Agenda. This is a good and promising direction for both German and Polish entities”, Lipińska added.