Polenergia and Equinor are one step away from building wind farms in the Baltic Sea. The Bałtyk 2 and Bałtyk 3 projects, which are being implemented by both companies, have received a set of offshore and onshore construction permits. The Bałtyk offshore wind farms are one of the largest infrastructure projects in Poland’s history. The Pomeranian Voivode has issued a total of 17 permits for the Bałtyk 2 and Bałtyk 3 wind farms, which include the installation of 100 wind turbines and 2 offshore substations in the Baltic Sea, the laying of export and internal cables and the installation of 2 onshore substations with infrastructure.
– This is one of the most important days for our projects in the Baltic Sea and a great success for Polenergia’s Offshore Wind Farm Department, which was responsible for the process of obtaining all the documents. The complete set of permits issued by the Pomeranian Voivode paves the way for us to build the Bałtyk 2 and Bałtyk 3 projects. The first preparatory work on land will begin later this year, and the first energy from both projects will flow in three years. The realisation of the Baltic offshore wind farms is of key importance for Poland’s energy security. Their commissioning will bring Polenergia into the small group of the largest producers of energy from renewable sources in Central Europe, says Jerzy Zan, President of the Management Board of Polenergia S.A.
The permits issued by the Pomeranian Voivode for Bałtyk 2 and 3 projects include:
- 100 wind turbines together with an internal power and telecommunications network
- 2 offshore substations
- submarine export cables
- 2 onshore substations together with associated infrastructure
- onshore 400 kV cable lines and associated infrastructure
- 220 kV onshore cable lines and associated infrastructure
- access road to the onshore substation
Illustrative photo. Source: Equinor / Polenergia
– Obtaining all the required permits is a very important moment for the Baltic 2 and 3 projects, which confirms the exemplary preparation of these investments. It allows us to proceed to the next stage of offshore wind farm development. We are preparing to take the final investment decision (FID) and start construction work. For both projects, we have also already secured contracts with contractors for all key components. These investments are a key step in the implementation of our sustainable development strategy and a contribution to the country’s energy transition, says Michał Jerzy Kołodziejczyk, CEO of Equinor in Poland.
The offshore wind farms Bałtyk 2 and Bałtyk 3, with a total capacity of 1440 MW, will be able to supply more than 2 million households with green energy. The power plants will be located in the Polish exclusive economic zone of the Baltic Sea, between 22 and 37 kilometres from the coastline. The first energy from both projects is expected to flow into the grid in 2027. The commercial phase of their operation is planned from 2028.
The planned investments are proceeding according to the planned schedules. The projects have received environmental decisions, along with connection agreements. In 2021, the Energy Regulatory Office granted contracts for difference to each project.
In the next phase of offshore wind development in Poland, Equinor and Polenergia are developing the Bałtyk 1 project with a capacity of up to 1560 MW, which will be 81 km offshore.
Source: Polenergia
