Equinor selects contractor for Łeba service base for Baltic offshore wind farms

The construction of a service base in Łeba is a key milestone for the operation of the Baltic 2 and 3 offshore wind farms, a joint venture between Equinor and Polenergia. The base will provide permanent employment for several dozen highly skilled professionals. Equinor aims to ensure that a significant portion of the workforce is sourced from the local labor market. The creation of new jobs and the demand for collaboration with the local supply chain present an opportunity to open a new chapter in the history of Łeba and the surrounding region.

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13 february 2025   |   11:41   |   Source: Equinor / Gazeta Morska   |   Prepared by: Kamil Kusier   |   Print

fot. Equinor

- For several decades, the base will serve as the operational and maintenance center for our offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea. At the same time, this initiative will create opportunities for the development of the city and the region, significantly increasing the availability of attractive, stable employment in the local job market. I am pleased that a Polish company will be responsible for constructing this critical infrastructure component for the Baltic 2 and 3 wind farms, said Michał Jerzy Kołodziejczyk, president of Equinor in Poland.

The Polish construction company Erbud has been selected to develop a modern, environmentally friendly service base on a revitalized port area. The facility will include office spaces, a remote control and monitoring center for the offshore wind farms, a spare parts warehouse, and a dedicated quay for mooring service vessels. Preparatory work on the site began at the turn of 2024 and 2025, with construction scheduled to commence in March 2025 and completion expected by mid-2026.

Sustainable design and local materials

The service base has been designed as an energy-efficient facility. The buildings will be partially powered by renewable energy from on-site photovoltaic panels, while heating will be provided by heat pumps. Additionally, the structures will feature recuperation systems as well as rainwater collection and reuse mechanisms.

Located on a 1.5-hectare site, the base is designed for scalable expansion to accommodate evolving operational needs throughout the estimated 30-year lifespan of the offshore wind farms. The 140-meter-long quay will be capable of simultaneously accommodating up to four crew transfer vessels (CTVs) for the maintenance of wind farms.

The low-rise buildings, encompassing both office and warehouse spaces (each approximately 1,000 square meters, with potential for expansion), will blend harmoniously into the surrounding landscape. The project prioritizes the use of regionally sourced pine or spruce wood and emphasizes cooperation with local suppliers and manufacturers of wooden structures. Wherever possible, new construction materials will be selected to allow for future reuse.

Worker-centric architecture

Designed with environmental neutrality in mind, the facility will also incorporate features aimed at enhancing employee well-being. Equinor and the project designers have included numerous elements to promote a healthy and pleasant work environment. This includes maximizing natural daylight through extensive glazing, integrating recreational spaces, and incorporating abundant greenery. The interior design will emphasize natural materials, and the implementation of an advanced air recuperation system will improve indoor air quality and overall comfort.

A land-based hub for Baltic offshore wind farms – advancing Łeba and the region

With these planned investments, Łeba has the potential to become a key operational center for Poland’s emerging offshore wind energy sector. The new job opportunities and supply chain requirements will create avenues for local business engagement and mark a new chapter in the maritime tradition of Łeba and the broader region.

Łeba is also home to the Baltic offshore wind farms information center, Poland’s first year-round educational and informational facility dedicated to offshore wind energy. One of its primary missions is to promote knowledge about the joint projects undertaken in the Baltic Sea by Equinor and Polenergia.

As part of its commitment to Poland’s green transition, Equinor also supports local community initiatives, such as the Łeba sailing club, through its global "Heroes of Tomorrow" program, fostering youth engagement in sports and outdoor activities.

Key facts about the Baltic offshore wind farms

Equinor and Polenergia are jointly developing three offshore wind farm projects in the Polish Baltic Sea, with a total capacity of up to 3,000 MW.

The Baltic 2 and Baltic 3 projects, with a combined capacity of 1,440 MW, are part of the first phase of offshore wind development in Poland. These wind farms are located within Poland’s exclusive economic zone in the Baltic Sea, at a distance of 22 to 37 km from the coastline.

The first electricity from the Baltic 2 and Baltic 3 wind farms is expected to be delivered to the grid in 2027, with full commercial operation planned for 2028.

polenergia equinor morskie farmy wiatrowe bałtyk morze bałtyckie

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