Poland's ARP signs letters of intent with ORLEN Neptun and PGE Baltica on offshore wind local content

Competences, regulations and financing

The agreements cover measures to build up the potential of Polish companies at every stage of offshore wind investments. The parties list four main areas: joint conceptual and design work, identifying competence gaps among domestic firms, analysing regulations with a view to making it easier for the sector to operate, and financing. As ARP points out, the letters of intent form part of a strategic action plan aimed at preparing Polish companies and strengthening their organisational, technical, financial and operational competences, which they need to compete effectively for contracts in the sector.

– The Industrial Development Agency is actively involved in building lasting industrial capabilities of Polish companies in strategic sectors. We are running a programme for the development of nuclear power, and now we are working intensively on solutions to support local content in offshore wind. All of this is aimed at ensuring that as many contracts as possible go to Polish manufacturing companies. At stake are contracts worth billions of zlotys and a unique opportunity for a technological and organisational leap that will allow them to become a lasting part of international supply chains. Cooperation with developers is an indispensable element of this process, providing the key perspective of investors – comments Krzysztof Telega, vice-president of the Industrial Development Agency.

Developers on the domestic supply chain

Both developers declare that building up the domestic supply chain is a priority. ORLEN Neptun points to the already high involvement of Polish suppliers in its Baltic East and Baltic West projects, while PGE Baltica highlights the activities it has run for years: industry workshops and meetings, direct talks with suppliers at its Gdańsk office and at production plants across the country, and the annual publication of procurement plans together with the competences expected in the supply chain.

– Increasing the share of Polish companies in the supply chain for the offshore wind sector remains one of our priorities – says Sławomir Staszak, ORLEN management board member responsible for the Energy area. – Already today the level of involvement of domestic suppliers in the Baltic East and Baltic West projects is high, but further cooperation between developers in this area will make it possible to strengthen the competences and competitiveness of Polish companies more effectively, and to increase their share in contracts at the level of main components. We believe that joint action will translate into lasting development of the domestic supply chain for offshore wind.

– Building a strong domestic base for offshore wind farms requires long-term commitment from the entire energy industry. This is a historic opportunity for the Polish economy – stresses Patrycja Kunc-Rozbrój, vice-president of PGE Baltica. – We are joining forces with ARP and ORLEN Neptun because we all feel responsible for the development of the domestic component and we want local businesses to make the most of the potential of the offshore wind sector.

The signatories' project portfolios

The letters were signed at a busy moment for Polish offshore wind. In December's first Polish offshore auction, held by the Energy Regulatory Office (URE), ORLEN Neptun secured a contract for difference for the 900 MW Baltic East project. PGE Baltica is building the 1.5 GW Baltica 2 wind farm together with Ørsted, where the complete set of 111 foundations was installed by 21 August, and, after finalising the acquisition of the FEW Bałtyk II project from RWE in March, is preparing the Baltica 9+ project of more than 1.3 GW. PGE Baltica's procurement plan for 2026 covers 40 procedures, with a tender for the supply and installation of offshore wind turbines announced for the third quarter. These are among the contracts that Polish companies covered by the new agreements will be able to compete for.