In the coming years Baltic Sea will become the key electricity production area in the European Union. Poland may and should be the leader in offshore wind development in the Baltic sea. Economic benefits, new jobs and local content growth are within reach — however, without strong regulatory support we will not pursue the best growth scenario. Support for wind power and establishment of an efficient development path for onshore and offshore should be a priority for the new government. Leaders of key political parties will present their plans and visions for energy transition, RES development and streamlined offshore regulations already on 21 November during the Offshore Conference.
Global offshore market is accelerating, and Poland is not to be left behind. The last year’s PWEA report estimated offshore wind potential at 33 GW. The report also specified 20 new areas in the Polish Baltic Sea area, including 18 in the Exclusive Economic Zone and 2 within the territorial sea, optimum for further development of the offshore wind sector in Poland. Had the entire potential of the Baltic Sea been exploited, offshore wind could contribute to as much as 57% of total electricity demand in Poland, with local content reaching 65% — a true opportunity for the Polish economy.
How we will exploit the potential of the Polish Baltic Sea areas depends on cooperation between all stakeholders, primarily on the government, which — through its decisions — will establish its growth rate. The development of offshore wind will depend on the policy of the new government, which should be one of the driving forces of energy transition in Poland. Furthermore, expansion of the sector is a great opportunity for economic growth in Poland through creation of a strong, national supply chain underlying further investments in the entire Baltic Sea basin.
“The inevitable green transition requires rapid and specific actions that will allow Polish citizens to look into the future with confidence in access to inexpensive and reliable electricity sources. As the new government is emerging, we deeply believe in the importance of substantive debate on the vision of the Poland’s energy policy. Offshore may become its pillar, but it requires appropriate support. However, to pursue ambitious offshore wind plans, the currently established potential and designated investment sites need to be verified — otherwise, we may waste the opportunity to exploit the right offshore wind volume in Poland. We will ask the questions the leaders of key political parties that will create regulations in the years to come during the Offshore Conference,” said Janusz Gajowiecki, President of the Polish Wind Energy Association.
Today, Polish energy sector — still based primarily on coal firing — is facing great challenges. These include, on the one hand, European Union’s climate policy, and on the other — energy security and our electricity bills. What challenges in the context of energy transition will the new government face? What it should focus on first? The most current issues and challenges will be discussed during an event that has become a permanent item on the agenda of the wind energy industry — Offshore Wind Poland 2023.