Energy from the Baltic draws closer. Baltic Power reaches a key milestone

One of the most important stages in the construction of Poland’s first offshore wind farm, Baltic Power, has been completed. The joint venture between ORLEN and Canada’s Northland Power has successfully installed two offshore substations, which will serve as the heart of the project’s transmission system. Each unit weighs an impressive 2,500 tonnes and will collect electricity from the turbines and deliver it to the onshore grid.

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29 october 2025 | 10:18 | Source: Gazeta Morska | Prepared by: Kamil Kusier | Print

fot. ORLEN

A technological and logistical milestone

The offshore substations – OSS West and OSS East – were installed approximately 20 kilometres off the coast near Choczewo. According to the developer, the installation process was one of the most demanding phases of the entire project. Each substation is equipped with two transformers, 230 kV and 66 kV switchgear, a diesel generator, and advanced control and monitoring systems enabling remote and safe operation. These offshore “energy hubs” will collect power generated by 76 turbines, each with a capacity of 15 MW, and transmit it via export cables to the onshore station in the Choczewo municipality.

- The offshore substations are among the most critical components of the Baltic Power wind farm. They will enable us to deliver zero-emission energy generated in the Baltic Sea to the Polish grid and to our customers, said Ireneusz Fąfara, President of the Management Board of ORLEN. - The success of the installation confirms the competence of Baltic Power’s partners in implementing complex investment projects. We are particularly proud that Polish companies played a significant role in the process, gaining valuable experience that will support future offshore developments in Poland and across Europe.

Strong participation from the Polish supply chain

The substations were built and delivered by a consortium of CS Wind Offshore and Semco Maritime, with significant contributions from Polish industry. The full steel structures were manufactured in the shipyards of Gdynia and Gdańsk by Grupa Przemysłowa Baltic, part of the Industrial Development Agency (ARP). Each 1,300-tonne structure was transported to Denmark, where it was fully equipped with electrical systems, bringing the final weight to 2,500 tonnes.

Many other Polish companies were involved as well. Protea, based in Gdynia, supplied specialist cranes for the substations. Domestic firms also produced parts of the turbine nacelles, foundation elements, and onshore cables, and were engaged as main contractors for installation and construction work. According to Baltic Power’s estimates, the project’s local content will reach at least 21% over its full lifecycle – from design and construction through to decommissioning – strengthening Poland’s industrial base and offshore competencies.

Power from the sea for 1.5 million households

Scheduled for completion next year, Baltic Power will become the first fully operational offshore wind farm in Polish waters of the Baltic Sea. The 1.2 GW installation will generate around 4 TWh of renewable electricity annually, equivalent to approximately 3% of Poland’s total demand – enough to power more than 1.5 million homes.

The wind farm covers an area of over 130 km² – roughly the size of the city of Gdynia – located 23 kilometres offshore between Łeba and Choczewo. After construction, a comprehensive process of testing, certification, and permitting will follow before full commercial operation begins.

A landmark step toward green transformation

The installation of the offshore substations marks not only a major technical milestone for Baltic Power but also a symbolic moment for Poland’s entire energy sector. It represents a concrete step toward expanding the country’s offshore wind capabilities, which are expected to become one of the pillars of Poland’s energy security and independence.

Both ORLEN and Northland Power emphasize that the experience gained from Baltic Power will form a solid foundation for future offshore projects in the Baltic Sea, positioning Poland as an emerging regional leader in offshore wind development.