Poland’s Energy Regulatory Office (ERO) has announced that Equinor and Polenergia’s Bałtyk II and Bałtyk III projects were awarded contracts for difference (CfD) under the first phase of Poland’s offshore wind development scheme. The projects, with a combined potential capacity of 1,440MW, are among the first to secure offshore wind awards in Poland.
The award from ERO is an important milestone towards the realisation of Bałtyk II and Bałtyk III. It confirms the projects’ inclusion in the first phase of Poland’s ambitious offshore wind development plan, contributing significantly to Poland’s energy transition and the development of the local offshore wind supply chain.
The CfDs are awarded at PLN319.60 (£60.35) per MWh for up to 25 years, subject to some adjustments and final approval from the Polish authorities and the European Commission.
Poland has the ambition to develop 5.9GW of offshore wind by 2030 and up to 11GW by 2040. With a combined capacity of 1,440MW, 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 commence as early as 2024.
Equinor was among the first international developers to enter the Polish offshore wind market in 2018 through the acquisition of a 50% interest in the Bałtyk II and Bałtyk III projects from Polenergia. Equinor subsequently acquired from Polenergia a 50% interest in the early-phase Bałtyk I offshore wind project.
Equinor will operate the projects through the development, construction and operations phases.