CRIST Offshore kicked off the production phase of the offshore power station for the BC-Wind project with a symbolic steel-cutting ceremony. With this, the project has entered its next phase of implementation.

The first steel-cutting ceremony is a significant milestone in industrial and shipbuilding projects. It marks the official start of production of structural components. In the case of the BC-Wind project, it also confirms the transition to the actual implementation phase following Ocean Winds’ receipt of the Final Investment Decision (FID) and the issuance of the Notice to Proceed (NTP).

The offshore power station, which is being built by CRIST Offshore, will be a key element of the BC-Wind offshore wind farm infrastructure. It will receive the energy generated by the turbines at sea. The energy will then be converted and exported via an underwater cable to an onshore station in the municipality of Choczewo.

– The first sheet metal cutting is a symbolic moment when what has so far been a visualization or a model slowly begins to become a reality. “We thank Ocean Winds for their trust and for entrusting us with the construction of such a crucial piece of infrastructure. This project demonstrates that Polish companies are ready to undertake the most technologically advanced investments in the offshore wind sector and play a significant role in it – says Daniel Okruciński, CEO of CRIST Offshore.

The station will weigh approximately 2,000 tons and will be equipped with all the key electrical systems necessary for the wind farm’s operation.

– The start of steel cutting for the offshore power station is an important milestone for the BC-Wind project and the implementation of our agreement with CRIST Offshore. It marks the project’s transition from the development phase to the construction phase. We are pleased that this key element of the offshore wind farm’s infrastructure will be built in Poland, in cooperation with a local partner possessing strong industrial capabilities. This milestone also reflects the growing capabilities of the Polish supply chain supporting offshore wind energy projects in the Baltic Sea, while maintaining our priority of safe and efficient project execution – says Kacper Kostrzewa, Managing Director in Poland, Ocean Winds.

The construction of the substation is a key element in the development of the domestic supply chain for the offshore wind energy sector. The project involves hundreds of specialists from the shipbuilding, energy, and engineering industries and strengthens the capabilities of Polish industry in the execution of advanced offshore projects.

BC-Wind is Ocean Winds’ first project in the Baltic Sea and a key investment supporting Poland’s energy transition and its long-term energy security. The project is located approximately 23 km off the Polish coast, within the country’s exclusive economic zone. It also involves significant participation by local entities in the supply chain and port infrastructure, supporting the development of domestic industry and expertise in the offshore wind sector. The wind farm will consist of 26 turbines with a total planned capacity of up to 390 MW, which will enable the supply of electricity to over 488,000 households annually. The start of power generation at BC-Wind is planned for 2028.

Source: CRIST Offshore