During the Baltic Offshore Wind Energy 2025 Summit in Gdansk, Former Prime Minister and President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek stressed the key role of energy transition for Europe’s security. He drew attention to the need to become independent from Russian fossil fuels and called for the development of offshore wind energy in the Baltic Sea.
The Baltic Sea Offshore Wind Summit 2025, held at the European Solidarity Centre in Gdansk, was an important event for the development of offshore wind energy in the Baltic Sea region. Aimed at fostering regional coordination, it addressed key issues including energy security, infrastructure development, technological innovation and human resource development.
During his speech, Jerzy Buzek stressed that Poland and the entire Baltic Sea region have a key role to play in Europe’s energy transition. He pointed out that the relocation of energy-powered industry to Pomerania and Western Pomerania is a huge change, comparable to the historic events that took place in Gdansk and Szczecin in 1980. He made direct reference to the efforts to build a central industrial district and how the current changes represent a radical shift, the significance of which is often underestimated.
Buzek drew attention to the need to become independent from the supply of fossil fuels from Russia, arguing that buying them meant funding a criminal. In this context, he stressed that the development of wind energy in the Baltic Sea is not only an economic issue, but above all a safety issue. ‘We cannot pretend here when talking about energy, when talking about key things, that there are no problems, because there are serious problems and we have to respond to them.’ This answer, according to Buzek, should include a fair energy transition, including the development of wind energy in the Baltic Sea, especially given the current geopolitical context. He stressed the need not to fund those who wage war on free nations for their fossil fuel supplies.
Jerzy Buzek and Giles Dickson (CEO of WindEurope) during one of the panels
The speaker also called for increased investment in critical infrastructure, including offshore wind energy services. ‘We are absolutely prepared today for Poland to also participate in the construction in our shipyards, especially in the Gdynia shipyard, of the vessels that will constitute this service fleet.’
He stressed that Poland should aim to produce all elements of the wind energy supply chain in the European Union to avoid dependence on external production. Buzek specifically mentioned Poland’s preparations to build the necessary service vessels in its shipyards, especially in Gdynia. He also stressed the need to protect critical energy infrastructure, including offshore wind energy solutions and service fleets.
Buzek pointed out that the energy transition is essential to building a strong and united Europe that will partner with the United States in many endeavours. ‘To talk about a European defence union without a real, functioning Energy Union is simply impossible,’ he said. He pointed to the need for industry to switch to electricity and to increase efforts to protect critical energy infrastructure. He also noted the importance of ensuring competitive energy prices in Europe compared to those in China and the US to support European industry. He noted that a resilient and competitive economy is essential to support military spending and infrastructure development.
The Baltic Sea Offshore Wind Energy Summit 2025 demonstrated the importance of collaboration, innovation and strategic planning in pursuit of a sustainable energy future. The event was made possible thanks to key support from ‘Leading Summit Partners’: PGE Baltica and Baltic Power, who played a fundamental role in the delivery of this important meeting. Invaluable contributions were also made by the ‘Official Summit Partners’: Ignitis Renewables, OW Ocean Wind, the Royal Danish Embassy, Rumia Invest Park and the Danish Energy Agency.
The next edition of the Baltic Sea Offshore Wind Summit 2025 will take place in Brussels in October, and in March 2026 the summit will again visit Gdansk.
