Poland has many times the assumed potential for offshore wind energy development. By 2040, such energy could satisfy nearly 60 per cent of our electricity needs, reads the report “Potential of Offshore Wind Energy in Poland” commissioned by the Polish Wind Energy Association (PWEA).
The current Polish Energy Policy assumes that 11 GW of wind turbines will be built in the Baltic Sea by 2040. Meanwhile, analyses presented in the report show that we can build devices producing as much as 33 GW of electricity in the same timeframe.
– This means that almost 60 per cent of the electricity consumed in our country could come from wind sources,” says Janusz Gajowiecki, President of the Polish Wind Energy Association.
Achieving the potential of 33 GW involves the development of 20 new areas in the Polish part of the Baltic Sea identified in the report, including 18 in the exclusive economic zone and 2 in the territorial sea.
– Some of these areas should be used in a uniform way, but indicating the cooperation of the various stakeholders in the Baltic Sea, says Janusz Gajowiecki.
In the Baltic area, the interests of many different business groups clash. Transport, shipping, fishing and tourism are all thriving. Investments in offshore wind farms must be carried out in such a way that entrepreneurs operating in each of these areas do not suffer any losses.
The PWEA report also recommends changes that need to be implemented if the ambitious plans to build 33 GW of offshore wind farms in the Baltic are to be realised.
– A modification of the National Energy Policy is needed, taking into account the broad potential for the use of these turbines. Secondly, the Baltic spatial development plan needs to be updated,” enumerates Janusz Gajowiecki.
According to him, appropriate provisions should also be prepared in the existing laws dedicated to offshore wind farms, taking into account further development of offshore wind energy after 2030.
– Fourthly, administrative activities should be intensified – appropriate infrastructure should be prepared, not only connection and network infrastructure, but also port and logistics infrastructure, which will ensure transport of large turbine components to the place of their installation, adds the PWEA President.
Electricity from the first Polish wind farm in the Baltic Sea will flow as early as 2026. The high business interest in this sector clearly indicates that this type of solution may become a strategic element in building Poland’s energy security and independence.
– In a situation of terror caused by Russia, we are betting on energy security, on a reduced amount of fossil fuels, which de facto drive up high energy prices. Wind energy can be a way out of high prices, out of inflation. Therefore, we all want to see the development of this type of investment in Poland,’ emphasises Janusz Gajowiecki.
The presentation of the report “Offshore Wind Energy Potential in Poland”, commissioned by PWEA and prepared by the UMG Maritime Institute, Ramboll and KP Consulting, took place during this year’s Offshore Wind Poland Conference.
Source: PortalMorski.pl
