Baltica 2 cable corridor taking shape: 150 km of inter-array routes completed in the Baltic Sea

The first major stage of seabed preparation for the offshore wind farm Baltica 2 has been completed, marking a significant milestone for Poland’s rapidly developing offshore wind sector. The 1.5 GW project is jointly developed by Ørsted and PGE.

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Today | 20:39 | Source: Gazeta Morska | Prepared by: Kamil Kusier | Print

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Offshore contractor Boskalis has prepared 150 km of inter-array cable routes using its vessel BOKA Falcon. These internal cables will connect the wind turbine foundations with the offshore substations. The next stage will focus on preparing a 260-kilometre export cable corridor to transmit power from the offshore substations to shore.

From geotechnical surveys to trenching operations

Seabed preparation for offshore cable installation follows a strictly defined sequence of technical operations. The campaign began with detailed geotechnical investigations along the planned cable routes to assess soil conditions and determine the appropriate installation methodology.

This was followed by UXO (unexploded ordnance) and ERW (explosive remnants of war) surveys - a standard requirement in the Baltic Sea region. No such objects were detected along the planned routes, allowing works to proceed without delay.

The next step involved the removal of large boulders — some measuring up to two metres in diameter - from both inter-array and export cable routes. Using the T-Rex plough, BOKA Falcon cleared the cable corridors, preparing the seabed for trenching operations.

- Completion of works on the inter-array cable routes means we are closing a key stage of seabed preparation for turbine-to-turbine connections. This is an important milestone, as the quality of trenching and corridor preparation directly impacts installation safety and long-term cable protection. We are now focusing on the next offshore work packages, maintaining project momentum and sequence in line with the schedule, said Ulrik Lange, Vice President and Managing Director of the Baltica 2 project at Ørsted.

Trenching campaign: securing long-term cable integrity

At the end of 2025, trenching operations commenced using the Megalodon plough. The process involves cutting a trench in the seabed to the required depth, enabling cables to be laid and subsequently protected against hydrodynamic forces, fishing activities and potential external interference.

The completed campaign covered 150 km of inter-array cable routes. The next phase will involve preparation of the 260 km export cable route. Cable installation itself will later be carried out by the vessels Ndurance and Boka Ocean, also operated by Boskalis.

- Although we are still ahead of installing the first major Baltica 2 components offshore, seabed preparation works for both foundation installation and cable laying are already at an advanced stage. Following the creation of inter-array cable corridors, contractors are now moving to prepare the export cable route. Soon, these cables will connect with the onshore section. Once Baltica 2 becomes operational, electricity generated offshore will be transmitted to the onshore substation in the Choczewo municipality and further into Poland’s National Power System, said Bartosz Fedurek, President of the Management Board of PGE Baltica.

2025-2027: entering full offshore execution phase

The year 2025 is set to be pivotal for the project. Installation of foundations, export cables and offshore substations is scheduled to begin this year. Subsequent phases will include the installation of inter-array cables between turbine foundations and offshore substations.

Testing of the onshore substation is also planned for 2025, forming a crucial part of the grid connection infrastructure.

Commissioning of Baltica 2 is scheduled for 2027. Once operational, it will become the largest offshore wind farm in Poland, with the capacity to supply renewable electricity to more than 2.5 million households.

Offshore wind execution in the Polish Baltic

The progress on Baltica 2 confirms that Poland’s offshore wind market has moved decisively into the execution phase. After years dominated by permitting, design and contracting processes, the focus has shifted to offshore operations - seabed preparation, foundation installation and subsea cable infrastructure deployment.

For the maritime sector, these developments represent not only an energy transition milestone but also a structural expansion of offshore engineering capabilities in the Baltic region. Baltica 2 is no longer a conceptual project - it is now a large-scale offshore construction site taking shape beneath the Baltic Sea.

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