Offshore wind power. Poland sets course for the Baltic

Not long ago, Poland was a “blank spot” on the European offshore wind map. Today, thanks to the entry of major global energy players and strategic state decisions, it is emerging as one of the most dynamic offshore wind construction zones in Europe.

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16 october 2025   |   13:07   |   Source: Gazeta Morska   |   Prepared by: Kamil Kusier   |   Print

fot. Orsted

The first turbines are set to rise in the middle of this decade. But the real transformation is only beginning — more than 20 gigawatts of capacity by 2040, thousands of new jobs, and multi-billion-euro investments in shipyards, ports, and supply chains. Offshore wind is not just about energy — it is a reconfiguration of Poland’s economy and position in the region.

Flagship projects transforming the horizon

Poland’s Baltic Sea has been divided into several concession areas. The most advanced developments include:

• Baltic Power (ORLEN & Northland Power) – 1.14 GW, 76 GE Haliade-X turbines, operations starting in 2026. Service port in Łeba, installation port in Gdynia.
• Baltica 2 & 3 (PGE & Ørsted) – 2.5 GW combined, a cornerstone project for Poland’s energy transition, first power expected in 2027–2028.
• Bałtyk I, II, III (Equinor & Polenergia) – over 3 GW, set to launch in the second half of the decade.
• RWE, Iberdrola, Ocean Winds, Ørsted – additional developers competing for new Phase II licenses.

By the end of the decade, up to 6 GW of installed capacity could be operating in Polish waters, with 25–35 GW projected by 2040 — equivalent to several large coal power plants combined.

Regulatory framework and financing stability

The offshore sector’s growth was enabled by the Offshore Wind Act of 2021, which guarantees support for early projects. The Contracts for Difference (CfD) mechanism ensures price stability and attracts bank financing.

• Phase I – 5.9 GW already awarded.
• Phase II – auctions for another 10–12 GW planned for 2025–2026.
• Phase III – further areas beyond 2030, offering a potential of 20–30 GW.

However, transmission infrastructure remains a bottleneck. Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne (PSE) must rapidly expand the national grid; otherwise, even the most advanced offshore farms will remain idle steel monuments at sea.

Ports and logistics: redrawing the Baltic map

No offshore wind project can advance without proper port infrastructure. Poland is investing in several strategic hubs:

• Gdynia – installation port for large components including towers, blades, and foundations.
• Łeba – long-term service base for Baltic Power; the town is transforming into a 25-year offshore operations hub.
• Ustka – base for Equinor and Polenergia, and potentially for PGE and Ørsted.
• Świnoujście – an emerging logistics center for the western Baltic region.

This marks a new economic geography for Poland’s coast — fishing ports are becoming technology hubs, and coastal regions are regaining development momentum.

Shipyards and industry: Polish opportunity or subcontractor role?

Offshore wind also tests the capabilities of Poland’s shipbuilding and heavy industries:

• Stocznia Szczecińska Wulkan – ready to produce large-scale structures and foundations.
• Remontowa Shipbuilding (Gdańsk) – leading builder of specialist vessels, including SOV and CTV service ships.
• Crist (Gdynia) – long experience in offshore projects for Denmark and Germany.
• Energomontaż-Północ Gdynia, Baltic Operator – potential producers of towers and offshore platforms.

To maximize economic impact, Poland must secure local content. Otherwise, global consortiums from Denmark, Germany, or Spain may dominate the market, leaving domestic industry as subcontractors.

Baltic competition intensifies

• Denmark – developing the Bornholm Energy Island, a regional transmission hub.
• Germany – massive projects near Rügen and in the Bay of Mecklenburg.
• Sweden & Finland – entering later, yet with over 20 GW in the pipeline.
• Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia – starting from scratch but accelerating fast.

Poland is currently the largest offshore market on the southern Baltic, but sustaining momentum will require consistent policy, infrastructure, and industrial readiness.

Security atsea: the new strategic frontier

Offshore farms, cables, and terminals are part of critical national infrastructure. Hybrid attacks, sabotage, or cyber incidents could disrupt entire systems.

To mitigate risks, Poland is establishing a Maritime Security Centre and strengthening cooperation with NATO and the EU. Offshore installations must be protected as rigorously as refineries or power plants.

2035–2040: Poland on the geen wave

If current plans succeed, the Baltic in 2040 will look dramatically different:

• Energy – one-third of Poland’s electricity from offshore wind.
• Economy – billions of euros circulating annually within the domestic supply chain.
• Ports & Regions – Pomerania and West Pomerania as offshore technology hubs.
• Polish Brand – export of know-how and innovation.

Offshore wind is more than a renewable energy story — it is a test of national modernity. Like in the 1970s, when Polish shipyards became European powerhouses, today the stakes are equally high.

Either Poland seizes the wind — or once again, lets the current of investment flow past its ports and shipyards. The Baltic offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity. The question is: will Poland take it?

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