The discussion about offshore wind energy in Poland is full of simplifications and catchy slogans. Headlines feature phrases such as “wind turbines that will raise electricity prices” or “farms visible from the beach,” while political debates are filled with assurances about “fully Polish wind turbines.” The problem is that most of these narratives have little to do with reality.
So let’s try to separate the myths from the facts.
Myth 1. Wind energy is unstable and unpredictable
Yes, the wind does not always blow with the same force. But that does not mean that the energy system cannot cope with it. Modern farms are built where the winds are most stable—at sea. In addition, there are advanced forecasts and system balancing tools. Research shows that wind energy is becoming an increasingly important part of the energy mix and can be a stable element of it.
Myth 2. Wind turbines at sea will spoil the view from the beach
This is one of the most frequently repeated arguments – and one of the most detached from the facts. Polish farms are planned at a distance of at least 25 km from the shore, often even further. From this perspective, the turbines are practically invisible to beachgoers. And the noise? At such a distance, it does not reach the shore.
Myth 3. Offshore farms will take away access to the sea
Each farm location is the result of analyses and consultations with fishermen, local governments, and environmental organizations. The areas designated for investment do not interfere with shipping routes or strategic fishing areas. Talking about “taking over the sea” is a gross exaggeration.
Myth 4. Farm components are transported by land
Turbine blades, towers, and platforms are structures that cannot be transported by truck across half of Poland. The main logistics are carried out by sea, using specialized ships and installation ports. Land transport is only relevant for short distances, e.g., between the factory and the port.
Myth 5. Offshore is expensive, and consumers will pay for it
Yes, building farms requires a lot of capital, but the costs of technology are steadily falling. In addition, energy from the sea is free of CO₂ emission charges, which drive up the price of electricity from coal-fired power plants. In the long term, offshore stabilizes the market and reduces dependence on fossil fuels – thus benefiting consumers.
Myth 6. Wind turbines will scare away tourists
Research and experience in other countries show that tourism does not suffer from the presence of offshore farms. On the contrary, in some places, educational trips to offshore farms have become an attraction in themselves. And since the turbines are located dozens of kilometers from the shore, they do not spoil the coastal landscape.
Myth 7. Offshore wind farms harm birds and the ecosystem
Every investment is preceded by environmental studies, which include, among other things, bird migration routes. Interestingly, the turbine structures themselves can create a so-called reef effect – new habitats that promote biodiversity. There is no evidence that offshore farms reduce the quality of the ecosystem; on the contrary, they can strengthen it in some respects.
Myth 8. Farms will raise sea levels
This is a myth bordering on fantasy. Hydrodynamic analyses clearly show that offshore structures do not affect sea levels.
Offshore wind energy is not a cheap slogan, nor – as politicians sometimes want – a fairy tale about a “fully Polish windmill.” It is a strategic project that builds industry, jobs, and makes us independent of hydrocarbons. If we really want to exploit the potential of offshore energy, we must conduct a discussion based on facts and research, not emotional myths.
