On March 23, 2022, William Beuckelaers, managing director of OffshoreWind4Kids, DNV, Northland Power Europe (NPE), the Competence Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CC4E) at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW Hamburg) and the German Offshore Wind Energy Foundation signed an agreement in Hamburg on cooperation with OffshoreWind4Kids within [...]
On 31 March 2022, the Seimas of Lithuania adopted laws on offshore wind energy development in the Baltic Sea. As a result, they gave a green light for the construction of the first offshore wind farm in Lithuania, reports the Lithuanian Ministry of Energy. […]
Lithuania’s electricity transmission system operator has summarized 2021 and published a set of financial statements. Litgrid reports that they have successfully met their targets for electricity supply reliability and strategic project execution. Litgrid is also preparing for the integration of offshore farms that will appear in the Baltic Sea. [...]
During the discussion at the meeting of the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania, the proposals of the Committee for Environmental Protection, on the development of offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea, were accepted. This is a big step closer to offshore wind in Lithuania, comments the Lithuanian Wind [...]
– Over the past few weeks, we have made intensive efforts with all relevant players to import less fossil fuels from Russia and expand its supply. The first important milestones have been reached to free us from the grip of Russian imports, the Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic [...]
The CEOs of Scandinavian grid companies Energinet, Fingrid, Statnett, and Svenska kraftnät discussed the electricity system operators’ preparation for a possible aggravation of the situation in the Baltic Sea region and its impact on the Baltic transmission system, according to a release from Finnish operator Fingrid. […]
Danish electricity system operator Energinet said it took a month to repair the electricity link between Bornholm and Sweden. The damage was more extensive than originally thought. The cable was probably damaged by a ship’s anchor. […]
March 25 marked the launch of the first Executive MBA program for the offshore wind energy industry in Poland, at the Gdynia Maritime University. Education of Polish offshore leaders was undertaken by the Offshore Wind Energy Center, also in Gdynia. BalticWind.EU will support the organizers as a media partner. [...]
The company Baltic Eagle GmbH has contracted Heerema Marine Contractors for the transport and installation of the Offshore Substation (OSS) for the Baltic Eagle offshore wind farm in the Baltic Sea. […]
Ramboll together with Aalborg University have delivered a PhD project that provides greater reliability upon the design and operational phase of offshore wind farms. The results show how measurement data based on the digital twin technology can help operators save money, reduce CO2 emissions, and increase lifetime of offshore wind [...]
Swedish Climate Policy Council presented the latest edition of its annual report assessing the effectiveness of the government’s climate change efforts to the Minister for Climate and the Environment, Annika Strandhäll. According to experts, there is a need for better coordination of the activities of state bodies and greater efficiency [...]
Episode 7 of our weekly podcast, summarising the most important news of the week, is ready to listen. You can listen to the new episode of "This week in Baltic Offshore Wind in 5 minutes" on Soundcloud, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts and Stitcher. This podcast is prepared by especially for those who have [...]
Latvia plans to implement new regulations that will accelerate the pace of development of wind farm projects. The government’s plans were announced by the Minister of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, Artūrs Toms Plešs, during a press briefing on March 21. A special law will be drafted for this purpose. [...]
K2 Management, a leading international renewable energy consultancy, will consult on the development of a pipeline of offshore wind projects in the Baltic Sea, after signing a framework agreement with Sunly, the independent power producer in the Baltic States and Poland. K2 Management will undertake pre-development studies and research for Sunly’s offshore wind projects [...]
The Swedish government has begun work to accelerate the energy transition, including the development of offshore wind power. Incremental generation capacity is crucial in the age of electrification. Industrial regions such as Gävleborg are facing problems with energy deficits. This is where wind energy can help. […]
According to the Finnish Wind Power Association (FWPA), the domestic wind power industry will see strong growth in installed capacity later this year. The strengthening of energy independence is in line with the EU’s announcement of efforts to reduce fossil fuel imports from the Russian Federation following the invasion of [...]
There is no longer any doubt that wind energy in the Baltic Sea region will play a key role in the development of green hydrogen production. Recently, the BASREHRT project – the Baltic Sea Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Experts Roundtable – was launched. It is a platform for cooperation in [...]
The Latvian government has decided to reject an application from Danish RES developer Ørsted, in cooperation with Estonian partner Eesti Energia, related to the construction and location of an offshore wind farm in Latvian waters. The decision is driven by the need to find a suitable location for the Latvian-Estonian [...]
Lithuania’s Energy Ministry said they have started consultations with potential wind farm developers in the Baltic Sea. The talks started in March 2022. […]
Renewable energy company Green Genius, which develops solar, biogas, wind, and green hydrogen energy projects in 8 European countries, has signed a cooperation agreement with Poland’s largest private energy company, Polenergia. Together, they will seek to win a tender by the Lithuanian state for a wind farm in the Baltic [...]
Germany is currently working on a draft offshore wind energy law (WindSeeG). The Federal Association of Wind Farm Operators Offshore (BWO) has submitted comments and recommendations to the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action on measures to accelerate offshore wind development. […]
In September 2021, the Polish government and the offshore wind industry signed the Polish Offshore Wind Sector Deal for offshore wind development in Poland. The main objective of the groundbreaking document is to maximize the local content of wind turbines development in Polish waters of the Baltic Sea. In March, [...]
Baltic countries’ plans to sustainably manage human activities at sea lack harmony across borders, and measures to restore and protect ecosystems are inadequate – that’s the conclusion of WWF’s Baltic Ecoregion Programme, which has evaluated Baltic EU Member States’ Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) strategies for sustainably managing marine areas and [...]
The Danish operator said, in connection with plans for the Bornholm Energy Island, that field and environmental studies have begun in Zealand and Bornholm. Landowners will soon receive notices to this effect. […]
In the list of legislative works of the Polish government there appeared an announcement of a draft amendment of the Act on sea areas of the Republic of Poland and the maritime administration. The project assumes regulation of a situation of a tie in the resolving proceedings for applications for permits to build artificial [...]
A new GWEC report points to the key role of floating offshore wind in global decarbonization efforts. Among the countries in the Baltic Sea region, Sweden has the greatest potential for developing floating technology. […]
An overwhelming majority of the Danish Parliament has agreed to adopt a new national Power-to-X strategy. DKK 1.25 billion will be invested in green hydrogen and other fuels. Wind energy, including offshore wind, will play a key role. […]
According to a recent study by Finnish state-owned company Metsähallitus, Korsnäs offshore wind farm will bring billions in tax benefits to Finland and provide employment for thousands of people over its lifetime. […]
German manufacturer EEW Special Pipe Constructions GmbH completed the first monopile for the Baltic Eagle offshore wind farm, which will be built in German North Sea waters, on 18 February, according to industry media. […]
OX2 has applied for a Natura 2000 permit for an offshore wind farm in the Swedish Exclusive Economic Zone between the islands of Gotland and Öland. […]
Finnish state-owned company Metsähallitus is currently working on the Korsnäs offshore wind farm project, which will be built in 2028 at the earliest. We asked Metsähallitus wind energy project leader Pertti Tapio about the progress. In the first phase of the Korsnäs offshore wind farm project, 70-100 turbines with a nominal capacity of 12-20 [...]
In March, a virtual meeting was held between representatives of the Pomeranian Platform for the Development of Offshore Wind Energy, the city of Bremen, and the German WAB cluster based in Bremerhaven. Participants agreed that development of offshore wind energy is a great opportunity for cooperation between Pomerania Region in [...]
In Finland, concerns have begun to arise among the public that wind energy development will affect residential property values. According to a recent study, wind turbines have no effect on home prices in this country. […]
Episode 6 of our weekly podcast, summarising the most important news of the week, is ready to listen. You can listen to the new episode of "This week in Baltic Offshore Wind in 5 minutes" on Soundcloud, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts and Stitcher. This podcast is prepared by especially for those who have [...]
Floating wind farms (so called “floating wind”) are one of the main directions of development of this sector. Also in the case of the Baltic Sea, investors more and more often indicate the potential lying in this technology, especially in places where due to the bottom characteristics and depth level the application of floating farms [...]
Estonian grid operator Elering and Latvian operator Augstsprieguma tīkls (AST) commissioned consulting firm BLIX to complete a four-level study that concludes that there are no obstacles to the healthy development of offshore wind in the Baltic Sea region. […]
Baltic Power, which is developing a joint offshore wind farm project of PKN Orlen and Northland Power, has announced a tender for an O&M contractor to support the offshore wind farm in the Baltic Sea. […]
The Swedish Wind Energy Association (Svensk Vindenergi) is positive about the government’s recent decision to develop offshore plans for the offshore wind sector. According to the organization, the level of ambition should be higher and the decision makers themselves should be mindful of technological advances. […]
The war in Ukraine, caused by Russia’s attack, has shown how damaging the toxic relationship between Europe and Russia is in the energy sector. The answer is REPowerEU – European Commission’s plan to make Europe independent from Russian fossil fuels by 2030. One of the pillars of action is RES investments. Offshore wind development, including [...]
ZE PAK, a Polish company associated with the coal-fired power sector in Poland, has ambitious plans to transform its portfolio towards green energy. The company also wants to get involved in the development of offshore wind energy in the Baltic Sea. The energy from wind turbines will be used to produce, among others, green hydrogen, [...]
ZE PAK, one of the leaders of Poland’s energy transition, and Ørsted, a leader of offshore wind energy, have signed an agreement and will jointly apply for location permits to build wind farms in the Polish part of the Baltic Sea. If they are successful, they will create a regional Fund for Just Transition in [...]
Elia Group has announced that it is expanding its international offshore transmission infrastructure business through a new subsidiary – WindGrid. Markus Laukamp will start as CEO on 1 April 2022. […]
Offshore Wind Energy Centre was established at the Maritime University of Gdynia. Breakthrough management studies for offshore wind sector staff will be launched in Poland in March. The Polish university is carrying them out in cooperation with Hochschule Bremerhaven and Business Academy SouthWest – leaders of management and specialist programmes for the Offshore Wind Energy [...]
A groundbreaking Offshore Wind Energy Center has been established at Gdynia Maritime University. This is where the future workforce that will build the offshore wind sector in the Baltic Sea will be educated. In March, the first groundbreaking managerial studies are launched. We talk to the creators of the Executive Offshore Wind MBA in Poland. [...]
On 1 March 2022, Poland's Council of Ministers adopted a resolution amending the offshore wind farm installation terminal regulations. Originally, the government wanted to carry out the investment in Gdynia, but eventually decided on Gdansk. The new resolution was submitted by the Ministry of Infrastructure. The installation terminal is to be built in the Port [...]
The Finnish town of Raahe has been identified as a suitable site for the industrial production of hydrogen (H2). A hydrogen pipeline is planned for the northern part of the Baltic Sea. The hydrogen itself could be produced using energy from renewable sources, including offshore wind power. […]
Episode 4 of our weekly podcast, summarising the most important news of the week, is ready to listen. You can listen to the new episode of "This week in Baltic Offshore Wind in 5 minutes" on Soundcloud, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts and Stitcher. This podcast is prepared by especially for those who have [...]
The Federal Association of German Wind Farm Operators Offshore (BWO) has referred to the latest industry results presented in a WindEurope report. – It is no longer news that surprises anyone. And yet it is always shocking to read in black and white where we are and where we want to go – where we [...]
German electricity system operator 50Hertz is currently focusing, among other things, on grid connections for large offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea and North Sea. 50Hertz wants to increase its connection capacity from current, around 1 GW, to more than 7 GW in 2030. […]
In the wake of Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine, the operators of the Baltic transmission systems – Augstsprieguma tīkls of Latvia, Litgrid of Lithuania, and Elering of Estonia – have agreed to limit the total capacity of electricity imports from Russia. […]
The procedure for participation in the Hansa PowerBridge submarine cable project was initiated for the continental shelf bilge in Germany’s exclusive economic zone in the Baltic Sea. […]
The cross-border environmental impact assessment consultation for the planned Baltic Offshore Beta offshore wind farm in the Swedish Exclusive Economic Zone in the Baltic Sea was open for participation until 28 February 2022. […]
The first three XXL monopiles for the Arcadis Ost 1 Offshore Wind Project have been completed and have set sail for the Port of Roenne, the Arcadis Ost 1 wind farm marshalling harbor. This is the first set of 28 monopile units (27 WTG, 1 OSS) that will be transported to Roenne over the next [...]
Last week, when Russia brutally attacked Ukraine triggering a war just across the border of the European Union, is a moment in history when the development of the offshore wind industry must also be viewed through the prism of these tragic events. Ukraine's independence has been compromised, and so has Europe's security. In this context, [...]
Swedish company Svea Vind Offshore AB intends to apply for a permit for the Gretas Klackar 1 offshore wind farm. As part of this process, it invites written consultation. […]
In the current tense geopolitical situation in the region, the development of local electricity generation becomes even more important not only for energy independence but also for national security, Lithuania’s Energy Ministry points out. Energy Minister Dainius Kreivys says, bearing in mind the growing demand for energy, that Lithuania needs to increase its domestic electricity [...]
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is progressing, and companies are beginning to take first steps toward abandoning relationships with Russian Federation entities. Offshore wind investors in Europe, including in the Baltic Sea region, are making their first statements in the area, amongst them are Norway’s Equinor and Denmark’s Ørsted. On BalticWind.EU we will observe investors’ actions [...]
Episode 4 of our weekly podcast, summarising the most important news of the week, is ready to listen. You can listen to the new episode of "This week in Baltic Offshore Wind in 5 minutes" on Soundcloud, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts and Stitcher. This podcast is prepared by especially for those who have [...]
The war in Ukraine, sparked by Russia’s invasion of the country, raises critical infrastructure protection issues. There is a growing number of wind farms in their inventory. The aggressor in the form of Russia also has influence in the Baltic Sea region. The growth of distributed energy sources increases the need for investment in systems [...]
PGE and Ørsted are jointly applying for the 45.E.1 area on Ławica Słupska. This area of 17 sq. km is directly adjacent to Baltica Offshore Wind Farm, the largest offshore wind farm under construction in the Polish Baltic Sea and one of the world’s largest offshore wind farms. The application to the Ministry of Infrastructure [...]
PGE Baltica will be advised by “ENERGOPROJEKT-KATOWICE” SA in the preparation of the purchase documentation and during the tender procedure for the general contractor for the onshore connection to the Baltica 2 and Baltica 3 offshore wind farms, informs PGE Baltica, a subsidiary of Poland’s largest power producer. […]
The Baltic Sea is becoming increasingly popular among foreign investors. The Baltic Sea is seen as a body of water offering opportunities for the development of offshore wind farms based on floating wind platforms. We ask Ocean Winds about their plans for the Baltic Sea. The company informed us that on 14 February 2022, ENGIE [...]
The fate of the offshore wind energy installation terminal in Poland has been in question for over a year. There was even a resolution on this issue in 2021, but in the list of legislation works of the Polish government a new resolution appeared, which this time locates the installation port in Poland in Gdansk, [...]
According to a recent report by European Wind Energy Association WindEurope, 17.4 GW of new wind energy capacity will be installed across Europe in 2021, bringing the total installed capacity to 236 GW (offshore and onshore). In the EU-27, 11 GW have been installed. Europe is only building half the wind power capacity needed to [...]
The Baltic Sea will be one of the European regions supporting the energy transformation of the European Union. Particular potential is seen in offshore wind energy, and Ignitis Group is interested in its development. We asked the company about specific plans. The company commentary was published in our quarterly report LITHUANIA Q4 2021. […]
Opponents and skeptics of wind energy development, particularly onshore, often have concerns about the impact of wind turbines noise on humans. Resistance to this is particularly found among local communities. Recent studies have not found wind turbine noise to be associated with disease or disease symptoms. […]
Siemens Gamesa announced the signature of two Preferred Supplier Agreements for the MFW Baltyk II and MFW Baltyk III wind power plants with Equinor and Polenergia. These signings represent both the first preferred supplier agreements announced in the fledgling Polish offshore wind market, and also the first conditional agreements for the SG 14-236 DD offshore [...]
TÜV SÜD and Tractebel DOC have signed an agreement announcing their intention to collaborate in the field of offshore wind energy towards a carbon-neutral future. The partnership will focus on joint project implementation and the development of new markets and services. With around 25,000 staff in over 50 countries, TÜV SÜD is among the world’s [...]
OX2 has submitted a permit application under the act of Sweden’s Exclusive Economic Zone to construct an offshore wind farm in the Swedish Economic Zone off the coast of Skåne in the south of Sweden. […]
The Baltic Sea needs port investments. By the end of the decade, 12.5 percent of the European offshore wind fleet could be located in this region, but it needs prepared service and installation ports. The port of Klaipeda has great aspirations too. Director-General of Klaipėda State Seaport Authority, Algis Latakas, commented for BalticWind.EU. […]
Poland's Vice-Minister for Infrastructure Marek Gróbarczyk has announced that Poland is launching further concession proceedings for three new sites in Polish waters of the Baltic Sea. As a result, localization procedures are currently underway for 9 marine areas. Vice-Minister Gróbaczyk tweeted that the ministry has "three more locations for the law on promoting electricity generation [...]
Lithuania has high hopes for the development of offshore wind energy in the Baltic Sea. The importance of this project is described to us by Rytis Kėvelaitis, Founder & CEO at Energy Unlimited. The interview was published in our quarterly report LITHUANIA Q4 2021 […]
The Ministry of Energy of Lithuania invites to participate in public consultations on the elements relevant for the environmental impact assessment of wind farms to be constructed in the Lithuanian part of the Baltic Sea. […]
Episode 3 of our weekly podcast, summarising the most important news of the week, is ready to listen. You can listen to the new episode of "This week in Baltic Offshore Wind in 5 minutes" on Soundcloud, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts and Stitcher. This podcast is prepared by especially for those who have [...]
The Parliament voted a few days ago on the report on the EU strategy for offshore renewable energy, prepared and adopted by the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy. The document was finally adopted. – Offshore wind energy needs “all hands on deck”. Firstly, it is about exploiting the potential of every European basin. I [...]
On February 11, 2022 an agreement (Memorandum of Understanding) was concluded between portfolio companies of the Industrial Development Agency JSC (IDA) and the Spanish company GRI Renewable Industries, S.L. concerning cooperation in the construction of a new tower factory for offshore wind energy (OWE). Estimated value of this investment is over EUR 100 million, and [...]
Spanish company Windar renovables, leader in the manufacture of wind turbine towers (onshore and offshore), has confirmed its investment decision to build a new offshore tower factory in Poland. […]
Baltic Power, a company that is a subsidiary of the PKN Orlen Group in Poland, has won a tender for the lease of land in the port of Łeba for an offshore wind farm in the Baltic Sea. A service port will be located in Łeba to service the investment, [...]
On Tuesday, February 15, Minister for Climate and Environment Annika Strandhäll and Minister for Energy and Digitalization Khashayar Farmanbar held a joint press conference. The meeting focused on accelerating offshore wind development and developing Sweden’s first offshore plans. […]
Today at a meeting of the European Parliament, MEPs adopted a strategy for the development of offshore energy in Europe. This is a watershed moment for the offshore wind industry. The document sets ambitious goals for the development of this industry in Europe. The report was approved by 518 votes [...]
During the February 2022 plenary session, Parliament voted on an own-initiative report on the EU offshore renewable energy strategy, as prepared and adopted by the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy. This constitutes Parliament’s response to the Commission’s strategy paper on the subject, adopted in November 2020 as part of [...]
Litgrid, the Lithuanian electricity transmission system operator, said it is receiving an increasing number of requests from developers to investigate the possibility of connecting new wind or solar power plants to the transmission grid. The operator argues that Litgrid’s preparations for the synchronization process and other system development projects will [...]
Lithuania is preparing a national map of hydrogen technology development. The Ministry of Energy of Lithuania informs that after a comprehensive analysis, independent foreign experts, working with Lithuanian institutions and companies, will present possible solutions for the hydrogen value chain. This is an opportunity to implement green hydrogen production technology [...]
While some developers in the wind energy sector have a lot of experience with onshore wind parks, they lack experience with offshore wind parks. For this reason, local companies cooperate with foreign companies in order to make the best use of local market knowledge and offshore wind industry experience – [...]
The next edition of the international conference WindMission Lithuania 2022 was held in January. The event was devoted to Lithuania’s energy policy, in particular to the development of wind energy. Here are the key findings on offshore wind development from Lithuania. […]
Danish transmission operator Energinet said that a new model for paying power producers for transmission network development costs is out for consultation. The new solution is expected to contribute to the efficient use of RES sources and their installation where network capacity is much larger. […]
It's Friday so it is time to recap the past week. You can listen to the second episode of "This week in Baltic Offshore Wind in 5 minutes" on Soundcloud, Spotify, Google and Apple Podcasts. This podcast is prepared especially for those who have little time, but want to keep up to date with the [...]
The Polish company PGE and the Danish company Ørsted are preparing for the third stage of geotechnical research. They will allow detailed verification of seabed soil conditions for the construction of the Baltica Offshore Wind Farm with a capacity of up to 2.5 GW. Previous phases of the study have [...]
RWE, one of the world’s leading companies in offshore wind, is further progressing with developing F.E.W. Baltic II, one of the first offshore wind farms in the Polish Baltic Sea. RWE selected Atlantique Offshore Energy, the marine energy business unit of the French company Chantiers de l’Atlantique, for engineering, procuring, [...]
PKN Orlen has big aspirations to develop offshore wind energy in the Baltic Sea, not only in Poland. -The potential of the Baltic states’ markets is over 20 GW and, of course, if there are such opportunities, we will be interested in being present on the Latvian and Estonian markets. [...]
The Polish Ministry of Infrastructure has launched further administrative procedures related to the granting of concessions for new offshore wind sites in Polish waters of the Baltic Sea. In particular, the rivalry between the two largest companies - PKN Orlen and PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna, which are already developing the first offshore farms in [...]
Poland’s Ministry of Infrastructure has announced that it has launched the procedure for granting offshore wind energy concessions for three more offshore areas. The ministry’s decision was announced on Twitter by Vice-Minister of Infrastructure, Marek Gróbarczyk. […]
Heerema Marine Contractors is committed to delivering solutions for clients worldwide. With Heerema Fabrication Group fabricating the required structures, the company is now modifying Thialf’s cranes capable of lifting 14,200 metric tons. […]
Lithuania, as one of the Baltic countries, wants to use the opportunities of offshore wind energy development. The first offshore wind farm will be built by 2030, while renewables auction for the first offshore wind farm is planned for 2023. Offshore wind could cover up to a quarter of the energy consumed in the [...]
January 26 this year, The Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) has unveiled the first draft of a new Site Development Plan (FEP). The document regulates offshore wind energy development in Germany. Environmental organization NABU is concerned about increased conservation conflict and is calling for adjustments to protect endangered seabirds [...]
Port of Roenne A/S will store the monopiles for the 27 Vestas’ wind turbines at Arcadis Ost 1. When establishing the Arcadis Ost 1 offshore wind farm near Rügen begins in a few weeks, the 27 wind turbines and monopiles will be shipped out of the port in Roenne. [...]
This week we are very excited to introduce a brand new format that is becoming a regular feature of our platform. For months BalticWind.EU has provided its readers with hundreds of articles, opinions and reports, as well as interviews in video form, and from now on the most up-to-date news about the offshore wind [...]
Researchers at Finland’s LUT University of Applied Sciences, commissioned by St1 and Fortum, have mapped the conditions necessary for electricity production in the Perämeri region. The region has great potential to become a center for carbon-free steel, fuel, and chemical production. This development will require a significant increase in wind [...]
BalticWind.EU Country Report POLAND / Q4 2021 Dear Readers, I am pleased to present you with the second of a series of quarterly reports summarizing the offshore wind energy market in Poland. Polish market – together with Estonian, Lithuanian, Latvian – is one of those markets where, even [...]
In January 2022, the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) presented first concrete plans at a meeting with representatives of the offshore wind industry. Managing Director of the industry organization BWO, Stefan Thimm, comments that this is a positive development, that the industry did not dare to [...]