Offshore wind farms can coexist with commercial fishing and coastal tourism, according to a new position paper released by the Polish Wind Energy Association (PSEW). The association draws on operational experience from Denmark, Germany, and the United Kingdom — and now, after nearly a year of operation, from Poland’s own coastline.
Turbine locations are selected to minimise disruption to traditional fishing grounds, PSEW notes. Some developers have also introduced compensation schemes for fishermen affected by increased operating costs or reduced access to certain areas. Polish offshore wind developers are implementing similar programmes.
On the tourism side, data from established offshore wind markets shows that the presence of turbines does not reduce the attractiveness of coastal regions. In some cases, wind farms have drawn new forms of marine recreation to nearby areas.
Poland’s first offshore wind installations became partially operational in mid-2025 with Baltic Power’s project off the Łeba coast. The coexistence of energy infrastructure with existing maritime users has remained a subject of public and regulatory debate in the country.
