After months of preparation, the Polish energy giant ORLEN announced that a fleet of 11 specialised vessels has mobilised to install the foundations for Poland’s first offshore wind farm in the Baltic Sea, a joint project by Orlen and Canadian Northland Power. This stage has already seen the successful installation of the first two of 78 monopiles—towering 100-meter steel structures supporting 15 MW wind turbines. These turbines are among the most advanced in the industry, with some being manufactured at Vestas’ facility in Szczecin.
Once complete, the Baltic Power wind farm will have a total capacity of 1.2 GW and is set to commence operations in 2026, delivering clean, reliable electricity capable of powering over 1.5 million households. Offshore wind energy is a key element of the ORLEN Group’s new strategy, which aims to deploy more than 4 GW of installed capacity in the Baltic Sea in partnership with leading industry players.
Baltic Power is the first and most advanced offshore wind energy project in the Polish Baltic Sea. As part of its new strategy, ORLEN has also committed to developing three additional offshore wind farms, for which it has already secured licenses. Alongside large-scale energy storage, onshore renewables, gas-fired power plants, and small modular reactors, offshore wind will be a cornerstone of Poland’s energy transition.
“Our new strategy is about action and delivering tangible progress, as demonstrated by Poland’s first offshore wind farm. After months of intensive work, we proudly confirm that the first foundations for the Baltic Power project have been installed. 2025 will be a milestone year for this development, as hundreds of our employees undertake the largest offshore installation campaign in Poland’s history. By 2026, energy from the Baltic Sea will be flowing to consumers for the first time. This is clean, stable, and secure power that will drive Poland’s economy forward. It also creates opportunities for Polish businesses to grow alongside our project. This is the energy of tomorrow – starting today,” said Ireneusz Fąfara, President of the Management Board and CEO of ORLEN S.A.
ORLEN is dedicated to maximising Polish industrial participation across the entire 30-year lifecycle of the Baltic Power wind farm. Key components, such as turbine nacelles, subsea cables, offshore substation steel structures, and foundation elements, are being manufactured in Szczecin, Bydgoszcz, the Tri-City area, Żary, and Niemodlin. Additionally, Polish companies are providing geological surveys, engineering design, and logistics support for the project.
“The installation of the first foundations for Baltic Power is a tremendous moment in the development of offshore wind energy in Poland. We are very proud of our strong partnership with ORLEN on this pioneering project. As co-developers of Poland’s first offshore wind farm, we are excited to contribute our global experience in offshore wind projects. This achievement not only demonstrates our progress together, but also fuels our determination. Safety remains our top priority throughout every stage, ensuring we uphold the highest standards in every aspect of the project. Today’s milestone is a testament to the strong partnership between Northland and ORLEN and further solidifies our shared commitment to Poland’s energy future”, said Christine Healy, President and CEO of Northland Power Inc.
The Baltic Power offshore construction site spans approximately 130 km², an area comparable in size to Gdynia. Within this zone, 78 monopiles will be installed, each towering up to 100 meters long, weighing up to 1,700 tonnes, and exceeding 9 meters in diameter. These massive steel foundations are being driven into the seabed at depths of around 40 meters using a floating installation crane.
In addition to the crane vessel, more than ten specialised ships are actively engaged in construction, including support vessels, tugboats, personnel and equipment carriers, environmental monitoring vessels, and security patrols. The Baltic Power Offshore Coordination Centre oversees all offshore construction activities and maritime traffic in real time.
As construction progresses, transition pieces will be installed to connect the foundations with the turbines, followed by the assembly of wind turbines, offshore substations, inter-array cables linking the turbines, and export cables transmitting electricity to shore. The installation stage is scheduled to continue until 2026.
Upon completion, Baltic Power will be Poland’s first operational offshore wind farm in the Baltic Sea, delivering approximately 4,000 GWh of zero-emission electricity annually. This will reduce around 2.8 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year compared to conventional power generation.
