Poland is currently the sixth largest economy in the European Union and one of the fastest growing countries on our continent. The development of offshore wind energy is making this growth even more dynamic. The offshore energy investment program has already entered the construction phase. The value of planned investments in the Polish economic zone of the Baltic Sea amounts to hundreds of billions of zlotys, and their effects will be visible for generations. This will happen thanks to the development of factories, shipyards, ports, new jobs, new skills in industry—in short, a new sector of the economy that is emerging under the wings of offshore. No wonder that the eyes of all of Europe are turning to our market, recognized in rankings as one of the hottest in the region. The entire offshore wind energy industry from Poland and Europe will meet at Offshore Wind Poland 2025 in Warsaw at the largest conference dedicated to the key challenges for the offshore wind energy sector in Poland and Europe.
The value of planned investments in the Baltic Sea is over PLN 130 billion in the first phase and up to PLN 400-500 billion by 2040. Offshore wind energy is a strategic project whose development has no alternative—it guarantees Poland's energy security, provides a boost to the domestic economy, and offers a real chance for lower energy prices for citizens and businesses. It is our only chance to ensure a stable supply of electricity and fill the gap in the power system, where there is already talk of shutting down old conventional power plants. Advanced investment projects, the expansion of ports and infrastructure, the activity of Polish and international suppliers, and a well-constructed and constantly improving legal environment show one thing: Poland is ready for the full-scale development of offshore wind energy.
“We really should do everything we can to ensure that what indirectly and directly serves the security of Poles and the security of the Polish state is done in Poland, by Polish companies. Local first means Poland first and foremost. A new chapter is beginning for Polish entrepreneurs and companies,” said Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the “Energy from Poland - Local First” Forum.
By 2030, a total of 5.9 GW will be built in Polish maritime areas, approx. 8% of the current generation capacity of our power system. Baltic Power consists of 76 Vestas turbines with a capacity of 15 MW each, five of which are already in operation. The farm, the size of Gdynia, is being built by Orlen and Northland Power in the Baltic Sea, approx. 23 km from Łeba, will produce 4 TWh of clean energy annually, i.e., 3% of the country's electricity demand, and will supply electricity to over 1.5 million households in Poland and reduce CO2 emissions by 2.8 million tons per year.
The PGE Group, together with Ørsted, is preparing to build the Baltica 2 project – the largest offshore wind farm in Poland in terms of generating capacity. Located 25 km from the shore, off Ustka, Baltica 2, with a planned capacity of 1.5 GW, is to be launched by 2030. Baltic 2 and 3 (Polenergia and Equinor) are in the preparation phase. Ocean Winds and RWE are also working on their projects in the Polish part of the Baltic Sea.
"Today, the world has opted for offshore wind energy. As an industry, we hope that this economic trend, which has begun in earnest in our country, will allow the first Polish companies that have entered the supply chain to cooperate on a permanent basis with investors creating offshore wind energy not only in Poland, within the Baltic Sea, but also in the North Sea – says Janusz Gajowiecki, president of the Polish Wind Energy Association.
Poland must seize the opportunity of phase II offshore
Already today, dozens of companies participate in the Polish supply chain – from shipyards building steel structures, through nacelle and foundation manufacturers, to cable factories and hundreds of local transport, logistics, and consulting companies. The share of Polish companies in the entire life cycle of the Baltic Power farm will reach at least 21%, which is consistent with the expectations for phase I expressed in the “Sector Agreement for Offshore Wind Energy in Poland” signed in 2021.
However, this is only the beginning. To fully exploit the potential of Polish industry, phase II of offshore development and a stable auction schedule must be launched. This is a prerequisite for Poland to become one of the pillars of the European offshore wind energy market and maintain its leading role in the region.
Offshore wind will lower energy prices
Offshore wind energy is not only about new investments, but also a real opportunity for lower bills. Without its development, costs for all consumers will increase – the decarbonization of the Polish energy sector will be slowed down, and the economy will have to rely on expensive, conventional sources for longer.
The development of offshore wind energy to 18 GW (compared to 5.9 GW in phase I) will reduce wholesale energy prices by up to 50%. It is estimated that savings for end users in 2026–2040 could reach PLN 60–70 billion. Offshore wind also guarantees stable supplies and less dependence on imported fossil fuels.
What is more, each new offshore unit replaces the most expensive sources in the so-called merit order – gas and coal – which currently set the marginal price on the market. As a result, offshore wind energy is a key element in stabilizing the system and an opportunity to improve the competitiveness of Polish energy-intensive companies.
That is why the industry is eagerly awaiting Offshore Wind Poland 2025 – the largest event dedicated to the offshore market in Poland and Central and Eastern Europe. On November 18–19, politicians, investors, scientists, and experts from across the continent will meet in Warsaw to discuss the future of wind energy in Poland and Europe. For more information, visit: www.konferencjaowp.pl