First monopiles for Ocean Winds’ BC-Wind arrive in Świnoujście, a first for a Polish port

Foundations the height of a 30-storey building

The BC-Wind monopiles measure between 9.5 and 10.5 metres in diameter and roughly 66 to 89 metres in length, close to the height of a 30-storey building. Transition pieces will be fitted on top of each monopile to carry the turbines. In total, 27 monopiles will be installed: 26 for the wind turbines and one for the offshore substation.

Ocean Winds began leasing Świnoujście Offshore Terminal in September, and the first delivery starts the logistics phase ahead of foundation installation. For Poland's offshore wind sector, it is a test of whether domestic port infrastructure can handle the most demanding cargoes the industry produces.

- Receiving the first monopiles at a Polish port is an important milestone for the BC-Wind project and another step in the development of the national offshore wind sector. Handling large-scale structures requires precise coordination and efficient port operations - said Pete Geddes, BC-Wind Project Director.

A Polish supply chain at the quayside

Szczecin-based Dynpap, which previously worked with Ocean Winds on the Moray West offshore wind farm in the United Kingdom, has the broadest scope. It is responsible for handling the monopiles and transition pieces and supporting their unloading and loading at the terminal. Once unloading is complete, Dynpap will fit out the interiors of the monopiles and transition pieces, carry out paint and protective coating repairs, and provide logistics, transport and auxiliary support on the structures.

Team Project, from Modrzew, prepared the ground for unloading the foundations and will maintain and repair the terminal surface during subsequent transport operations. On site, the monopiles are moved by a Self-Propelled Modular Transporter (SPMT), and their weight and size require the port infrastructure to be protected with steel plates, supplied by Gdynia-based MAG Offshore.

- We are pleased to involve Polish companies in this work, creating an opportunity to gain practical experience and develop the skills of local teams, and thereby supporting the development of the national supply chain. We are confident that the experience gained on projects of this kind will pay off in future offshore wind projects - Pete Geddes added.

Offshore installation from 2027

The monopiles will be stored temporarily at Świnoujście Offshore Terminal and prepared for transport to the site, which lies 150 nautical miles (around 228 km) from the port. Installation is scheduled to begin in the first half of 2027.

BC-Wind is Ocean Winds' first project in the Baltic Sea and is wholly owned by the company. Located around 23 km off the Polish coast, the 390 MW wind farm will comprise 26 Siemens Gamesa SG 15-236 turbines and will be able to meet the annual electricity needs of more than 488,000 Polish households. Its operations and maintenance base will be in Władysławowo.