Equinor advances renewable energy portfolio with new solar plant in Poland

Equinor, a leading global energy company, has marked a significant milestone in its renewable energy journey by commencing test production at its third solar plant in Poland, named Lipno. Located in the Wielkopolskie province, this 53 MW solar facility enhances Equinor’s onshore renewable capacity in Poland to approximately 200 MW, further solidifying its presence in one of Europe’s rapidly expanding renewable energy markets.

Developed and operated by Wento, a 100% subsidiary of Equinor, Lipno represents a critical step in the company’s strategy to bolster its renewable energy footprint. Since acquiring Wento in 2021, along with its 1.6 GW pipeline of solar projects, Equinor has transformed the company from a modest solar developer to a robust multi-technology power producer. This transformation includes operating three solar plants and one onshore wind park across Poland.

Anders Bade, Senior Vice President for Onshore and Markets within Renewables at Equinor, commented on the expansion, “Wento’s journey showcases our strategic approach to leveraging local development companies to establish a significant and profitable onshore renewables business in select markets.”

The annual production from the assets operated by Wento is estimated to power approximately 140,000 Polish households, with an expected generation of around 280 GWh of power annually. Additionally, Equinor’s energy trading arm, Danske Commodities, has secured a balancing agreement with Lipno, undertaking the task of commercializing the power generated in the Polish market.

Under Equinor’s stewardship, Wento has not only expanded its project pipeline to over 3 GW but has also diversified its operations to include battery storage solutions, enhancing the flexibility and value of its energy offerings. The introduction of battery storage is particularly pivotal as Poland seeks to improve grid stability and increase the share of renewable power in its energy mix.

Wojciech Cetnarski, CEO of Wento, highlighted the strategic importance of these developments, stating, “Poland is actively enhancing its domestic power capacity to bolster energy security. For Wento and Equinor, this opens up exciting avenues to lead in a burgeoning market.” This sentiment is reinforced by recent successes in the Polish Capacity Market Auction, where Wento secured four battery storage projects totaling about 400 MW/1.6 GWh.

Besides its ventures in onshore renewables, Equinor is also engaged in significant offshore wind projects, namely Bałtyk I, II, and III, in collaboration with Polenergia. Moreover, Equinor extends its energy contributions through natural gas supplies from the Norwegian Continental Shelf to Poland via the Baltic Pipe.

Michał Jerzy Kołodziejczyk, Equinor’s country manager in Poland, emphasized the company’s commitment: “Equinor aims to be a reliable energy partner for Poland, supporting its transition with a diverse range of energy sources and supplies.”

Equinor’s strategic developments in Poland, particularly through the Lipno solar plant and upcoming battery storage projects, underscore a strong commitment to supporting Poland’s energy transition. These initiatives not only reflect Equinor’s adaptation to market demands but also their role in shaping a sustainable energy future in Europe.