Offshore wind determines one of the key directions of development of the energy sector. Poland should exploit the perfect conditions at the Baltic Sea to develop offshore wind. The new sector of the economy will ensure access to inexpensive, carbon-free electricity and increase competitiveness of Polish enterprises. To recapitulate lat year’s achievements, a joint session of the Budget and Public Finance Committee, National Economy and Innovativeness Committee, Infrastructure Committee and the Special Committee on Climate Affairs was held today in the Senate.

Works on the Act on the promotion of production of electricity from offshore wind farms were carried out in an atmosphere of a true dialogue between the Government and the Polish industry, which enabled the development of good solutions. Currently, when we are facing the launch of projects in the Baltic Sea, the Offshore Act is the basis for the development of offshore projects in Poland.

“Offshore wind is a great economic project that could change our civilisation, both in Poland and Europe. We are happy that the Polish government also sees the need to optimise certain provisions of the Act on the promotion of production of electricity from offshore wind farms, and it proposed relevant changes applicable to the offshore sector in the draft amendment to the Renewable Energy Sources Act, recently submitted for public consultations,” emphasized Janusz Gajowiecki, President of the Polish Wind Energy Association.

The investors took advantage of the last year, developing their projects in line with the assumed timelines. Today, timely implementation of key investments is raison d’etat in the context of Poland’s energy security and independence. Experience in implementation of large and complex projects gained last year demonstrated existence of areas that need to be changed to enable fast and efficient construction of the first Polish offshore wind farms.

“In the opinion of the Polish Wind Energy Association, it is particularly important to urgently implement regulations specifying the date when the indexation of the contract for difference under the support scheme starts. Considering the Phase I project notification procedures pending in the European Commission, it is necessary to have the regulations introduced this year. The governmental draft assumes relevant amendments, but effective only from 1 January 2023. The rate of change on the markets, in particular currency markets, emphasizes the importance of urgent changes,” added Janusz Gajowiecki, President of the Polish Wind Energy Association. “With experience stemming from works completed to date, we also see the need for optimisation in the context of permitting, which will streamline offshore lead times, contributing to the diversification of energy sources in Poland,” he added.

Today, proper coordination of activities and cooperation between the Government, the Parliament, investors and the industry is crucial for implementation of offshore investments. The international environment we are now facing creates new challenges, also for implementation of offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea. The wind energy sector is ready to cooperate with the Government to ensure energy security of Poland.

“An important element of the discussion about the offshore sector is the increase in the so-called local content. It has to be stressed that installation port, concentrating offshore industry in its vicinity, is key; therefore, I would like to emphasize the need for its construction on the Polish coast. A clear message and efficient construction of installation port may ensure implementation of Phase I projects through a Polish port — otherwise the investors will be forced to select other locations or adjust investment timelines, to the disadvantage of the Polish economy,” PWEA President reminds.

Investor involvement in processes related to the establishment of the Polish support chain is apparent not only at the Sector Deal level, but also in actions taken at the local and industry level. All measures taken by the Government, investors and the industry are oriented to streamline the development of the Polish energy sector and to extend it with a new branch — offshore wind — which will tangibly contribute to the improvement of Poland’s energy security.