GameChange Solar Secures Key Tracker Contract for Egypt's 1 GW Abydos II Solar-Plus-Storage Project
Key Insights
ORLEN Group and Northland Power have commenced installing 15 MW Vestas offshore wind turbines, the largest in Europe, in the Polish Baltic Sea, marking a new era for Poland's energy sector.
The Baltic Power offshore wind farm, featuring 76 turbines, is projected to meet up to 3% of Poland's electricity demand by 2026, significantly enhancing energy resilience and reducing fossil fuel dependence.
The project emphasizes local content, with components including some nacelles and other elements manufactured in Poland, fostering domestic industry growth and expertise.
Construction involves complex engineering and logistics, utilizing a specialized 160-meter jack-up vessel capable of transporting three complete turbines per trip, with foundations and cable installations ongoing.
ORLEN Group, in collaboration with Northland Power, has initiated the installation of Europe's largest offshore wind turbines, each boasting a 15 MW capacity, in the Polish waters of the Baltic Sea. This pivotal development marks the formal inception of Poland's offshore wind power sector, a strategic move poised to significantly reshape the nation's energy landscape and enhance its long-term resilience. The first Vestas-manufactured turbine, featuring components produced locally in Szczecin, underscores a critical step towards diversifying Poland's energy mix and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The Baltic Power offshore wind farm, slated for full operation by 2026, will comprise 76 such turbines and is projected to cover up to 3% of Poland’s total electricity demand. Ireneusz Fafara, CEO and President of the Management Board of ORLEN, emphasized the project's role in "reshaping the Polish energy landscape" and its importance for "enhancing our long-term energy resilience, especially vital amid today’s geopolitical instability." He highlighted that the project builds upon Poland's efforts to end reliance on Russian hydrocarbons, paving the way for a stable, clean, and competitive energy mix.
Each 15 MW turbine is capable of generating enough electricity to power every household in a city the size of Stalowa Wola or Krosno. These advanced turbines achieve a capacity factor of nearly 50%, a level of efficiency comparable to conventional energy sources. The towering structures, exceeding 120 meters in height with total structures reaching 250 meters including foundations, are a testament to modern engineering. Notably, some turbine towers incorporate recycled steel, a pioneering approach in wind farm construction. The nacelles, comparable in size to a three-story house, house the generator and are fitted with 115-meter blades, creating a swept area of 43,700 square meters.
The installation process is a significant engineering and logistical undertaking, requiring the synchronized effort of up to 15 different vessels. A 160-meter-long jack-up vessel, upgraded in 2024 with 1600-ton lifting cranes, is deploying the turbines, capable of transporting three complete units per trip. Grzegorz Szablinski, President of the Management Board of Baltic Power, underscored the project's "pioneering operation to install the largest wind turbines currently deployed in Europe" and its strong commitment to local content. He noted that many components, including some nacelles from Vestas's new plant in Szczecin, along with topsides of offshore substations, onshore cables, and foundation elements, are domestically produced.
Alongside turbine installation, foundation works, including monopile and transition piece installation, are progressing. Preparations are also underway for the deployment of inter-array and export offshore cables, with offshore substations scheduled for installation in autumn. The full operational commissioning of the Baltic Power farm is anticipated in 2026, marking a monumental stride in Poland's clean energy transition.