Van Oord has been selected as preferred contractor for the construction of the Baltic Power offshore wind farm, 23 kilometres north of the Polish coastline, according to the company's release.
Van Oord will transport and install more than 70 foundations, consisting of a monopile fitted with a transition piece. With a production capacity of up to 1,2 GW, the wind farm is expected to ultimately supply renewable energy more than 1,5 million households in Poland. Construction of the farm is planned to start in 2024 and its commissioning in 2026.
Based on experts’ estimates, the Baltic Sea’s total potential is 85 GW, nearly twice as much as the total electrical capacity currently installed in Poland. The Polish State National Energy Policy (PEP2040) outlines the potential of and assumes the development of offshore wind energy in the area of the Polish Exclusive Economic Zone of the Baltic Sea, with the capacity of aprox. 5.9 GW by 2030 and up to 11 GW by 2040. Offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea may play a key role in Poland’s energy transition, contribute to the strengthening of the country’s energy security, and help tackle air pollution. Baltic Power is one of the most advanced offshore wind projects planned in Poland and a milestone for the development of the Polish power sector.
Van Oord will deploy its heavy lift installation vessel Svanen. The vessel has an extensive track record and installed the vast majority of all monopiles in the Baltic Sea, including those for Baltic 2, Arkona and Kriegers Flak. Baltic Power is Van Oord’s first offshore wind project in Poland, however the country is well known to Van Oord due to executed dredging projects, like the recently completed deepening and widening of the Świnoujście – Szczecin fairway in Poland.
Development of the Baltic Power offshore wind farm is a joint venture project of two companies: PKN ORLEN (Poland) and Northland Power (Canada). Van Oord and Northland Power have successfully worked together on the Gemini and Deutsche Bucht offshore wind projects. Baltic Power and Van Oord share the ambition to contribute to the further development of offshore wind as reliable renewable energy source.