On 6 February 2025, Stéphane Séjourné, Vice President of the European Commission for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, visited the Baltic Industrial Group plant in Gdansk. This was an important stop on the Commissioner’s way to the announcement of the Clean Industrial Deal document, the European Union’s new industrial policy. Previously, Séjourné had visited key sectors in Europe, including the steel industry in Ghent (Belgium), chemicals in Milan (Italy), batteries in Romania, and automotive in Stuttgart (Germany). The visit was attended, among others, by Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz, Minister of Funds and Regional Policy, Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Mayor of the City of Gdańsk, and Radosław Niedzielski, vice-president of the management board of Industrial Development Agency (Agencja Rozwoju Przemysłu – ARP).
The delegation visited Ostrow Island, historically linked to the Gdansk Shipyard, where they learned about the activities of the Baltic Industrial Group and its plants. The meeting took place at an important moment for European industry and energy policy. The European Commission has just announced the Competitiveness Compass, a flagship initiative designed to bring about a technological leap and development of the European economy. One of its pillars is building resilience and economic security.
Strengthening Europe’s industrial base
Participants at the meeting stressed that Europe’s economic transformation depends on technological sovereignty and rebuilding a strong industrial base, a good example of which is the booming offshore wind energy market. In Poland, where the offshore wind energy programme represents investments worth tens of billions of euros, there is an opportunity to build a strong, integrated supply chain that will not only strengthen Polish industry, but also fulfil a key role in the European reindustrialisation strategy.
– The energy transition, and with it investment in sourcing energy from renewable sources, is currently the biggest challenge for our country’s growth creators. Taking advantage of the heritage that is the Gdansk Shipyard and its strategic location, as the Industrial Development Agency S.A. we are creating state-of-the-art production facilities capable of meeting the challenges posed to the Polish and European wind energy industry. The recent handover of two substations for the first offshore wind farm in the Polish part of the Baltic Sea and the construction of an offshore wind tower factory only confirm that both the Baltic Industrial Group and Baltic Towers are among the leading suppliers to the Polish offshore industry – said Radosław Niedzielski, Acting President of the Industrial Development Agency S.A.
– Offshore wind energy is one of the most important infrastructure projects in Europe. We believe that Poland, with its industrial potential and strategic location, can become its key pillar. It is a huge market in which European companies should play a significant role as preferred suppliers. We welcome the European Commission’s openness to dialogue on these key issues – says Adam Kowalski, President of the Management Board of Baltic Industrial Group, and adds: – GPB draws on the long-standing traditions of the Polish shipbuilding industry, combining them with a modern approach to production and industrial development. We are consistently building our position as a national and regional leader aiming to maximise the involvement of European companies and resources in offshore wind projects, thus supporting the development of local industry and Poland’s economic growth.
– Energy transformation and the reindustrialisation of Europe must go hand in hand. Investing in offshore wind energy is not only a matter of energy security, but also an opportunity to rebuild European industry and strengthen its global competitiveness. As the European Commission, we will support the efforts of Member States and the industry to create the conditions for greater integration of the European supply chain and maximise the participation of local companies in this strategic sector – comments Stéphane Séjourné, European Commission Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy.
Stéphane Séjourné’s visit to the Baltic Industry Group came at a special time when Gdansk hosted a meeting between the College of European Union Commissioners and the Polish government as part of the Polish Presidency of the EU Council.
Source: Baltic Industrial Group
