Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland, Donald Tusk, Deputy Minister of National Defence Cezary Tomczyk, together with President of the Board of ARP S.A. Wojciech Balczun, President of the Board of GRI Renewables Industries, S.L., Antonio Barbosa and representatives of the Board of Baltic Towers Sp. z o.o. Jakub Wnuczyński, Hubert Staszewski and Bruno Antunes, visited the site of the largest investment of this kind in Europe, the offshore wind tower factory located on Ostrów Island in Gdańsk. The visit was also attended by Vice Presidents of the Management Board of ARP S.A. – Ilona Deręgowska and Radosław Niedzielski.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister got acquainted with the progress of work on this strategic project on the Polish coast, which will start production as early as May this year.
“This is a touching moment for me – I am standing in the place where I worked as a student, and today I see Europe’s most modern offshore wind tower factory, built in just 13 months. A year ago there was an empty square here, and today it is a symbol of Polish offshore – because without such investments in the Baltic Sea there will be neither cheap energy nor security in Poland. That is why the government will ensure not only development, but also protection against threats, including diversion from the East.” – Prime Minister Donald Tusk said.
“This factory means 500 modern jobs for qualified specialists and proof that Polish industry can compete at a global level. The goal is clear: a maximum of Polish technology, cooperators and knowledge for offshore, because this is the only way we will build energy sovereignty. That is why I am happy that production will start here in a week’s time – this is a milestone not only for Gdansk, but for the whole of Poland.” – added the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister’s visit to Baltic Towers is a clear signal that the government treats the offshore and offshore wind industry as the foundation of Poland’s economic sovereignty, and this is in line with the implementation of the government’s ‘Polish Sea’ programme, whose key objectives are:
- intensive development of offshore wind energy,
- strengthening the country’s energy sovereignty,
- increasing the participation of Polish capital and enterprises in strategic offshore investments.
The programme assumes active support for domestic companies and the development of modern technologies in the offshore wind sector, which is reflected in projects such as Baltic Towers.
Poland and ARP strengthens position in offshore wind energy
“This is spectacular proof of what the Industrial Development Agency (ARP S.A.) is for the Polish economy. We are no longer just a ‘restructuring archive’ – we implement development projects thanks to our unique competence in public-private partnerships. Together with GPB, we are entering the offshore sector. At Baltic Towers we are building wind towers, involving Polish suppliers and taking care of local content. This is the beginning of a new ARP strategy, where industry and synergies within the capital group are key. We talked to the Prime Minister about the opportunities for Polish business in this transformation. I think this is a beautiful beginning of a great new story,” – said President of the Management Board of ARP S.A. Wojciech Balczun.
Thanks to projects such as Baltic Towers, Poland is becoming an integral part of the European supply chain for offshore wind, and local suppliers are getting a chance to develop and participate in this rapidly growing market.
Baltic Towers is a joint venture between Industrial Development Agency JSC (ARP S.A.) and Spain’s GRI Renewable Industries, S.L., which has built 22 factories in nine countries. The offshore wind tower factory is located on Ostrow Island in Gdansk – it benefits from the logistical bonus of being close to one of the largest wind energy markets, the Baltic Sea.
State-of-the-art, world-class production
The factory, which will begin operations as early as the second quarter of 2025, can produce tower sections with impressive parameters:
- length: 50 metres,
- weight: 500 tonnes,
- diameter: up to 11 metres.
With a production capacity of more than 150 towers per year, Baltic Towers will become an important player in the European supply chain for offshore wind.
“It is a matter of great pride for us that Baltic Towers will soon start production. Thanks to the commitment of our team and the support of our partners, we were able to complete this project in record time. The factory is equipped with modern machinery and trained employees are ready to work. This is a historic moment for the Polish offshore wind sector, a new branch of the maritime economy with huge potential for development,” – said CEO of Baltic Towers Sp. z o.o. Jakub Wnuczyński.
Source: Industrial Development Agency JSC (ARP S.A.) press materials.
President Jakub Wnuczyński also emphasised that the factory will produce towers for new generation turbines, supporting the goals of Polish and European policy to strengthen energy independence. The Baltic Towers project is also an example of the synergy between the experience of Spanish partner GRI Renewable Industries and the Polish industrial potential.
A strong boost for the economy
The potential of the offshore wind sector in the region reaches 33 GW, and the offshore economy budget in 2025 is a record 2 billion PLN. This is 37% more than the year before. The government is also strengthening security in the Baltic Sea – in the context of geopolitical challenges. The ‘Baltic Sentry’ initiative is designed to protect investments, sea lanes and infrastructure.
The Baltic Towers plant is an example of synergy at the European level, to strengthen Polish and European industry, especially in an industry such as offshore wind energy. It creates more than 500 new jobs and develops competences in the region. It supports local communities, but above all it strengthens Poland’s energy security. It is another step in building a sovereign, modern economy.
About the ‘Polish Sea’ programme.
The programme envisages the repolonisation of the maritime economy sector, investments in Polish shipyards, ports and offshore wind, as well as increasing the share of Polish capital in strategic industries.
Source: Industrial Development Agency JSC (ARP S.A.) press materials.
