Offshore wind energy is one of the main pillars of Poland’s energy transition. According to the PWEA report, Poland has an offshore potential of 33 GW and Polish part of the Baltic Sea has many new areas for offshore investment. With all this potential, offshore wind power could meet up to 57% of Poland’s total electricity demand, and local content could reach 65%, which undoubtedly represents an opportunity for the Polish economy. This would enable Poland to lead the development of OWE in the Baltic Sea region and Europe. Polish companies, foreign investors and representatives of the Baltic Sea countries will once again meet in June at the International Supplier Day during the PWEA2023 Conference in Serock to discuss cooperation needed to build a strong European offshore industry.

Prepared by the Ministry of Climate and Environment, the new scenario for Energy Policy of Poland until 2040. (PEP2040) assumes a fourfold increase in capacity from RES: 68% of installed capacity in the Polish National Electricity System and more than 50% of the share of electricity generation. Offshore wind power is expected to account for 5.9 GW in 2030 and 18 GW in 2040. However, experts see much greater potential in Poland’s offshore sector, which could reach as much as 33 GW. Making the best use of the potential of the Polish part of the Baltic will be crucial in the coming years to build Poland’s independence and strong economy.

This new perspective and investment will require a lot of commitment from investors, the state and financial resources to implement it effectively. Therefore, the Polish Wind Energy Association invites companies interested in developing the offshore sector to the International Supplier Day during the PWEA2023 Conference in Serock (June 20-22). The event will be attended by representatives of selected EU Embassies and investors with international experience in offshore wind farm development. Particular emphasis will be placed on building a strong European offshore supply chain and creating a framework for international cooperation in this area. Polish companies will have an excellent opportunity to establish business contacts with foreign partners, thus gaining the chance to enter Western markets.

– The development of offshore wind energy in Poland brings great opportunities to build an important position for Polish entrepreneurs in the regional, European and global offshore value chain. International Supplier Day is an opportunity for Polish companies to establish contacts with foreign partners and take advantage of the synergies of such cooperation. Creating effective alliances with experienced foreign partners will help build a strong offshore wind sector in Poland in a cost-optimized way and support the domestic industry – says Janusz Gajowiecki, President of the Polish Wind Energy Association.

Big potential, big challenges

Poland also faces many challenges in the area of development of phase I projects, which are now entering the most important stage of implementation, as well as phase II offshore projects – because by the end of May we will know all the winners of the new sites. It’s also a key issue of leveraging the national potential of Polish suppliers and achieving the highest possible level of local content.

– During the PWEA conference we will look at the long-term offshore potential in Poland and together we will answer the question – how to use it effectively, what actions do we, as an industry, need to take. And we are not forgetting other areas of interest – the use of offshore wind power to produce green hydrogen, the sale of energy in cPPAs, or the extremely important issues related to the coexistence of OWFs with other users of the sea – shipping, the fishing industry or the navy and other services responsible for security – – says Piotr Czopek, Regulatory Director, Polish Wind Energy Association.

– In the next few years, the development of offshore wind farms may give a boost to Poland, and Pomerania may become a significant center on the economic map of the value chain for the offshore industry and for Equinor’s operations in Poland. Our three Baltic projects with a total capacity of 3 GW – being developed in two offshore phases in Poland – have the potential to generate approx. 10 000 direct and indirect jobs. Long-term goals for OWE and maintaining investment liquidity between the I and II phases will support maintaining the momentum of the energy transition and investment in capacity by suppliers within our country – says Michał Kołodziejczyk, CEO of Equinor in Poland.

– As Baltic Power – the most advanced project implemented in the Polish part of the Baltic Sea, we have been involved in the development of the Polish supply chain for years, among other things by periodically organizing Suppliers Day, which provides a platform for our business partners to exchange knowledge and experience. Taking into account the ambitious plans for the development of offshore wind projects in the ORLEN Group, the company has made a strategic decision to build, in Świnoujście, the first offshore installation terminal in Poland, which will be ready at the turn of 2024 and 2025 – says Jarosław Trybuchowicz, President of Baltic Power and Orlen Neptun.

The PWEA2023 Conference will take place as soon as on the 20-22nd of June in Serock. The International Supplier Day is scheduled for the 22nd of June 2023.

Registration and details at www.konferencjapsew.pl