A palpable sense of urgency permeated the “Guardians of the Wind” panel at the Baltic Sea Offshore Wind  Summit (BSOWS2025) in Gdansk, as security experts and industry leaders convened to address the mounting threats to offshore wind infrastructure in the strategically significant Baltic Sea region. The discussion, framed against a backdrop of geopolitical instability, focused on the necessity of robust security measures, enhanced cooperation between stakeholders, and the specific challenges posed by both physical and cyber threats.

Moderated by Roland Freudenstein, Brussels Office Director of the Free Russia Foundation, the panel brought together Airidas Daukšas, Vice Minister of Energy of the Republic of Lithuania; Tomasz Urbaniak, Head of Defence & Security, PGE Baltica; Janusz Gajowiecki, President of the Board, Polish Wind Energy Association; Capt. (N) Rafał Miętkiewicz, DSc, Assoc. Prof., Polish Naval Academy; and Niels Malskær, Energy Attaché at the Royal Danish Embassy to Poland. The conversation underscored the critical intersection of energy security and national defense in the context of rapidly expanding offshore wind capacity.

Airidas Daukšas: Russia Identified as Primary Threat

Airidas Daukšas set a stark tone by unequivocally identifying Russia as the main danger in the Baltic Sea region, particularly in light of recent critical infrastructure damage. “The main danger in our region is Russia and Russia is a danger with their activities in our region – in our Baltic Sea region. As we see the latest damages of our critical infrastructure shows that we have to be ready to react and of course to prepare for possible damages in the future“. He emphasized the need for a collective European response, including the deployment of drone and monitoring systems, as well as ensuring armed forces presence in the sea. Daukšas also highlighted the importance of financial mechanisms at the EU level to support these security measures.

Tomasz Urbaniak: Beyond Physical Threats to Holistic Security

Tomasz Urbaniak echoed the long-standing perception of Russia as a threat from a Polish perspective, noting that the “shadow fleet” was not a surprise for Polish entities. However, he broadened the scope of security concerns beyond purely physical threats. “But let’s not forget that we shouldn’t focus on the concept of security as only and exclusively security versus physical threat. Developers must ensure both this ordinary security, I would call it occupational safety and health (OSH), that is the security of farm operation. It must be security related to environmental protection. This has already been mentioned today. However, it is also the security of local communities.”

 Urbaniak stressed the importance of dialogue and cooperation across various sectors, including local content providers, and appealed for administrative support to enable the offshore wind business to thrive while ensuring security. He also pointed out that cyber threats are not exclusive to Russia.

Janusz Gajowiecki: Countering Russian Information Manipulation

Janusz Gajowiecki highlighted the intense information manipulation emanating from Russia aimed at undermining the development of wind energy in Europe. “As I mention the beginning of the summit we are under the huge attack of the manipulation from Russia’s side and Russia is very much aware that they have to do everything to stop the wind energy in Europe“. He detailed the spread of misinformation regarding the economics and feasibility of wind power and noted the increasing strength of these disinformation campaigns. Gajowiecki stressed the need for collaboration across the Baltic states to counter these narratives and the importance of involving civil society alongside government efforts. He lamented the necessity for wind energy associations to now allocate resources to combat disinformation.

Capt. (N) Rafał Miętkiewicz: The Role of Naval Power and Emerging Technologies

Captain Rafał Miętkiewicz addressed the challenges of providing maritime security for vast offshore wind farm areas. Acknowledging the limitations of continuous naval surveillance over Poland’s extensive maritime zones, he advocated for the integration of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and autonomous systems to enhance monitoring and threat detection. “From my perspective – of a strong supporter of technologies – that’s why some elements of artificial intelligence, machine learning, game theories should be involved to reach this kind of tools to search for some unexpected behaviors of the ships and others that are present and try to catch them before the attack attempt“. Miętkiewicz emphasized the essential presence of naval forces at sea as a deterrent and highlighted the potential of dual-use technologies to reduce costs for both security and commercial operations.

Niels Malskær: The Imperative of Regional and International Cooperation

Niels Malskær underscored the existing strong regional collaboration in the Nordic-Baltic area, particularly in energy and defense. He pointed to the increased importance of the Baltic Sea for regional security in the context of European rearmament. Malskær highlighted the need to enhance capabilities in both manned and unmanned maritime vessels for effective surveillance and deterrence. He cited the recent Finnish impounding of a Russian vessel as a practical example of decisive action within international law. He proposed establishing a clearer understanding among the Baltic Sea nations regarding permissible and impermissible activities in the region, especially concerning suspicious “shadow fleet” behavior. He cautioned against over-reliance on NATO assets and advocated for the Baltic and Nordic nations to develop their own security capacities.

Key Takeaways

The “Guardians of the Wind” panel highlighted several critical aspects of securing Baltic offshore wind assets:

  • Geopolitical Risks: Russia was consistently identified as the primary source of security threats, necessitating a strong and unified response.
  • Broad Spectrum of Threats: Security concerns extend beyond physical sabotage to include cyberattacks, information manipulation, and broader operational safety.
  • The Necessity of Cooperation: Effective security requires close collaboration between governments, the military, industry stakeholders, and even civil society, both at national and international levels.
  • The Role of Technology: Emerging technologies like AI and autonomous systems are crucial for enhancing surveillance and reducing the costs of securing vast offshore areas.
  • Strategic Deterrence: Maintaining a visible security presence, particularly naval forces, is essential for deterring potential adversaries.
  • Building Resilience: Investing in robust security measures is not just a cost but an essential component of ensuring the long-term viability and energy independence provided by offshore wind.
  • Countering Disinformation: Proactive efforts are needed to combat foreign influence and manipulation aimed at undermining public support for offshore wind development.

The discussion concluded with a strong consensus on the imperative of integrating security considerations into the very design and operation of offshore wind farms to safeguard these critical energy assets in a complex and evolving geopolitical landscape.