Equinor and Polenergia secure key permits for Baltic Sea offshore wind farms

Equinor and Polenergia are on the brink of commencing the construction of two major offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea, following the recent issuance of a comprehensive set of construction permits by the Pomeranian governor. The Bałtyk 2 and Bałtyk 3 projects, jointly developed by the Norwegian energy giant Equinor and Polish energy firm Polenergia, have received 17 critical permits, paving the way for the installation of wind turbines and associated infrastructure.

These permits cover a range of essential components, including the installation of 100 wind turbines, two offshore substations, undersea export cables, and the construction of two onshore substations with related infrastructure. The projects also include laying both 400 kV and 220 kV onshore cable lines, along with building an access road to the onshore substation. These approvals mark a significant milestone in the development of the Bałtyk 2 and Bałtyk 3 offshore wind farms, which collectively have a capacity of 1,440 MW and are expected to supply green energy to over 2 million households.

Equinor and Polenergia advance towards building offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea, with key permits in hand and construction set to begin.

Key Milestones Achieved for Bałtyk 2 and Bałtyk 3 Projects

Michał Jerzy Kołodziejczyk, the Country Manager for Equinor in Poland, emphasized the importance of securing these permits, stating, “Obtaining all the required permits is a very important moment for the Bałtyk 2 and 3 projects, which confirms the exemplary preparation of these investments. This allows us to proceed to the next stage of the implementation of offshore wind farms. We are preparing to make the final investment decision (FID) and start construction work. These investments are a key step in implementing our sustainable development strategy and contributing to the country’s energy transition.”

Polenergia’s President, Jerzy Zań, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the significance of these projects for Poland’s energy security. He noted that the first preparatory works on land would begin later this year, with the first energy from these wind farms expected to be delivered to the grid by 2027. He added, “The realization of the Baltic offshore wind farms is crucial to Poland’s energy security. Their commissioning will make Polenergia one of the largest producers of energy from renewable sources in Central Europe.”

Strategic Importance and Future Prospects

The Bałtyk 2 and Bałtyk 3 wind farms are strategically located in the Polish exclusive economic zone of the Baltic Sea, approximately 22 to 37 kilometers from the coastline. The projects are set to enter their commercial phase by 2028, with full-scale operations expected to contribute significantly to Poland’s renewable energy landscape.

In parallel, Equinor and Polenergia are progressing with the development of the Bałtyk 1 project, another offshore wind farm with a planned capacity of up to 1,560 MW. Positioned 81 kilometers from the shore, Bałtyk 1 represents the next phase of offshore wind development in Poland, further solidifying the country’s commitment to expanding its renewable energy infrastructure.