Poles Sign Offshore Wind Onshore Deal

Poland’s Port of Gdynia, Kosakowo commune and the cities of Rumia and Gdynia have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) for offshore wind in the Polish Baltic Sea.

The signatories plan to invest in and operate onshore facilities for offshore wind farm construction off the southern coast of the Baltic Sea.

Wind farm components will be transported to the Port of Gdynia, where they will be assembled and ready for installation offshore at project sites.

The plan also includes the development of factories that will produce offshore wind farm materials, the port stated.

“In regard to our infrastructure potential and navigational capabilities, we have carried out analyzes of the possibilities of adapting the land owned for the handling, storage and assembly of offshore wind farm components. The results indicate that we are ready to service offshore wind farms, both during the construction and operation phases,” said Adam Meller, President of the Managing Board Port of Gdynia Authorities.

The parties plan to begin working in 2022 and to continue carrying out the related works and maintenance services for at least 18 years.

According to Grzegorz Dyrmo, Vice President of the Managing Board of Port of Gdynia Authorities, Gdynia Maritime Port Authority and three local governments will join forces to jointly present their investment potential.

“In a long-term perspective, participation in such a huge undertaking will ensure not only the development of the Port of Gdynia, but the entire region, which will be involved in the construction, operation and subsequent service of offshore wind farms,” said Dyrmo.

To remind, Poland has set a goal of developing 8GW of offshore wind energy in the Baltic Sea by 2035.

The country could receive its first offshore wind power by 2025 through the 600MW Polenergia Bałtyk III project developed by Polenergia and Equinor.