This development marks a significant step toward completing Poland's first offshore wind farm, which is projected to supply approximately 1.2 GW of green energy to the national grid.
In a major logistical and engineering achievement, the Baltic Power joint venture, formed by Poland's energy giant ORLEN and Canada’s Northland Power, has completed the installation of two colossal offshore substations—OSS West and OSS East. Located roughly 20 kilometres off the coast near Choczewo, each substation weighs a remarkable 2,500 tonnes and is an indispensable component of the project. Their primary function is to collect the electricity generated by the farm's 76 turbines, each rated at 15 MW, and efficiently transmit it via subsea export cables to the onshore substation.
Ireneusz Fafara, President of the Management Board and CEO of ORLEN, underscored the strategic importance of the installation. "Offshore substations are among the most important components of the Baltic Power wind farm. They will enable delivery of zero-emission energy generated in the Baltic Sea to Poland’s power grid and, ultimately, to our customers," Fafara stated.
The project is poised to significantly benefit Poland's manufacturing and shipbuilding sectors, with a strong emphasis on local content. The full steel structures for both substations were fabricated in Poland at shipyards in Gdynia and Gdansk, with Grupa Przemyslowa Baltic responsible for their construction.
Fafara reinforced that increasing the participation of Polish businesses is a key priority for ORLEN. The contribution extends beyond the substations; domestic firms have supplied elements of the foundations and onshore cables, and are acting as main contractors for installation and construction works. The final, outfitted substations, for example, were fitted with specialist cranes manufactured by the Polish company Protea. According to current estimates, the project’s local-content ratio is expected to reach at least 21% over the farm’s entire lifecycle.
The two substations will receive electricity generated by the 76 Vestas V236/15.0 MW turbines and step up the voltage for efficient transmission. Each offshore substation is a complex hub featuring two transformers, 230 kV and 66 kV switchgear, a diesel generator, and sophisticated control systems for safe, remote operation.
The completion of the 1.2 GW offshore wind farm is scheduled for next year. Once operational, the farm, located 23 km off the coast in the vicinity of Leba and Choczewo, will become the first offshore wind farm in Polish waters. Its capacity will be capable of delivering up to 4 TWh of sustainable electricity, which is equivalent to about 3% of national demand, meeting the energy needs of more than 1.5 million households.
