PGE, Ørsted Pick Baltica 2 Onshore Infrastructure Supplier

January 19, 2024, by Adnan Memija

PGE Group and Ørsted have signed an agreement with GE Vernova, represented in Poland by GE Power Sp. z o.o. and Polimex Mostostal consortium, to construct the onshore infrastructure necessary for exporting power from the 1.5 GW Baltica 2 offshore wind farm in the Polish Baltic Sea.

The onshore connection infrastructure for Baltica 2 will be built in the Pomerania region of Poland, in the vicinity of Osieki Lęborskie, in the Choczewo commune, in the Wejherowo district.

The work comprises developing 275/400 kV high-voltage transformer substation and onshore export cable lines necessary for transmitting power to the Polish Power System.

The first construction works are planned to start this year while testing and putting the connection infrastructure online is scheduled for 2026 and 2027.

“It is with the onshore connection that the construction of an offshore power plant begins. The finalization of this contract was possible thanks to specialists from PGE Baltica, our subsidiary company developing PGE Group’s offshore program,” said Wojciech Dąbrowski, president of the Management Board of PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna.

“Baltica 2 will deliver electricity needed by the Pomerania region, which for most part is currently supplied from the south of Poland. The additional source will increase energy security not only of the region, but of the entire country. The first electricity from Baltica 2 will be fed to the Polish Power System in 2027.”

Ørsted and PGE expect to complete the construction of the 1.5 GW Baltica 2 by the end of 2027, while the 1 GW Baltica 3 is expected to be fully operational by the end of the decade. With a joint capacity of 2.5 GW, the Baltica 2 and Baltica 3 will create the Baltica Offshore Wind Farm.

The project, which will feature 107 Siemens Gamesa 14 MW wind turbines, will be developed in the Polish section of the Baltic Sea approximately 40 kilometres off the coast of Poland between Łeba and Ustka.

“Last year we managed to sign all contracts for the supply of offshore components, as well as some installation contracts – the preparation of which Ørsted was responsible for. With the signing of the contract for building onshore infrastructure necessary for exporting power from Baltica 2 project, we are moving a big step closer to the realization of this pioneering project for offshore wind energy in Poland,” said Agata Staniewska-Bolesta, Managing Director of Ørsted Offshore Poland.

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In June, the developers selected a consortium of Semco Maritime and PTSC Mechanical & Construction (PTS M&C) for the design, manufacturing, and commission of offshore substations for the Baltica 2 wind farm.

The marine export cables will be delivered by ZTT Submarine Cable & System and Hellenic Cables, while the transportation and installation of these cables will be carried out by Boskalis.