Poland – Equinor and Polenergia’s Bałtyk II and Bałtyk III projects have secured contracts for difference (CfD) from Poland’s Energy Regulatory Office (ERO).
The CfD were awarded under the first phase of Poland’s offshore wind development scheme. The projects, with a combined potential capacity of 1440 MW, are among the first to secure offshore wind awards in Poland.
“Full-scale development of the two projects will constitute an offshore wind hub in the Baltic Sea. It will create industrial activity and jobs to support the Polish economy, and supply low-cost renewable electricity to Polish homes and businesses,” said Pål Eitrheim, Equinor’s executive vice president for New Energy Solutions.
The CfDs are awarded at PLN 319.60 per MWh for up to 25 years, subject to some adjustments and final approval from Polish authorities and the European Commission.
5.9 GW of offshore wind by 2030
Poland has the ambition to develop 5.9 GW of offshore wind by 2030 and up to 11 GW by 2040. With a combined capacity of 1440 MW, Bałtyk II and Bałtyk III could generate enough renewable offshore wind energy to power two million Polish homes. They are among the largest offshore wind projects currently under development in Poland. Pending all necessary agreements and permits, and subject to the final investment decision from Equinor and Polenergia, construction work could start as early as 2024.
Entering Polish offshore wind market
Equinor was among the first international developers to enter the Polish offshore wind market in 2018 through the acquisition of a 50 percent interest in the Bałtyk II and Bałtyk III projects from Polenergia. Equinor subsequently acquired from Polenergia a 50 percent interest in the early-phase Bałtyk I offshore wind project. Equinor will operate the projects through the development, construction, and operations phases.
