Port of Łeba will serve as a service base for an offshore wind farm for at least 30 years.  The port has been selected as a location for their facilities by Baltic Power (owned by Orlen and Northland Power) and Norwegian Equinor together with Polenergia. Łeba will become a true offshore centre, ensuring stable cooperation between Polish and foreign investors, hundreds of jobs and a true contribution to know-how of Polish companies. 

Offshore wind is one of the key pillars of Polish energy transition. With the appropriate support, wind from the Baltic Sea can contribute to the energy security of the country and to consolidation of the Polish economy through creation of a modern and stable supply chain for offshore wind farms. Currently, the highest possible local content in the offshore wind supply chain is crucial. The service port in Łeba is a great example. 

Offshore wind farm development has been discussed in Łeba by members of the Budget and Public Finance Committee, who held a meeting with representatives of local governments and offshore wind industry. Matters discussed during the meeting included preparation of a port for offshore wind farm-related operations. 

 “Currently, achieving the highest local content possible is the key challenge. Poland may achieve that ambitious goal only with sound institutional and regulatory framework and well-planned, properly implemented multi-directional measures aimed at creating favourable business environment for offshore development, which provides attractive opportunities for new market participants. Now the Parliament needs to develop amendments to the Offshore Act that will streamline implementation of the first wind farm projects. The draft amendments need to be presented fast to enable service centres, such as the one in Łeba, to be prepared in time,” said senator Kazimierz Kleina, Chairman of the Budget and Public Finance Committee.

The service port to be created in Łeba is crucial for efficient operation of offshore investments.

 “Service port in Łeba is a key element for implementation of Baltic Power investments. Its location and efficiency are crucial for continuity of operation and stable supply of electricity. Construction of service port in Łeba will create new jobs and contribute to revenues of local budgets. The port will create an economic impulse for the entire region. Establishment of a local supply chain is an important element of offshore wind implementation. We incorporated this in our business strategy and are ready to cooperate with all stakeholders,” said Anna Łukaszewska-Trzeciakowska, President of the Management Board, Baltic Power, Director of Offshore Wind Farm Office and PKN ORLEN.

Investments in service ports will bring benefits to the entire region. Next to infrastructure, they will create new jobs and enable the development of new curricula in local secondary schools to accommodate the need for energy sector employees.

“Offshore wind development is a great opportunity for the development of the city of Łeba and the entire municipality alike. It allows us to increase our revenues through contribution from lease of port areas to future developers, from taxes and from the sale of investment sites. Let Łeba be an example to be followed by coastal cities that may actively participate in the Polish offshore wind supply chain,” said Janusz Gajowiecki, President Polish Wind Energy Association.

With the appropriate support, offshore wind farms can play a key role in the transition of the current economy to low-carbon, contribute to the energy security of the country and to consolidation of the Polish economy through creation of a modern and stable supply chain for offshore wind farms.

“Offshore wind not only consolidates energy security of Poland and forms one of the pillars of energy transition. This is also an unprecedented opportunity for growth and development of competitive advantage of Polish entrepreneurs on the basis of state-of-the-art zero-emission technologies. Furthermore, implementation of projects worth more than PLN 130 billion will create new, well-paid jobs,” added Maciej Stryjecki, Director for Offshore Wind Development at Polenergia.