The Polish Energy Regulatory Office has awarded a Contract for Difference (CfD) to the Baltica Offshore Wind Farm which is reported to be the largest offshore wind project in the Polish part of the Baltic Sea. Its two phases, Baltica 3 and Baltica 2, would together have a cumulative capacity of up to 2.5 GW. The CfD was awarded at a maximum of PLN 319.60/MWh in accordance with the Decree of the Minister of Climate and Environment of Poland and the Offshore Wind Act.
Ørsted and PGE had signed an agreement to form a joint venture for the development, construction, and operation of Baltica 3 and 2 projects in February 2021. While Baltica 3 would have a capacity of up to 1 GW and would start generating power around 2026, Baltica 2 of up to 1.5 GW capacity could become operational before 2030. This is subject to the CfD award geting final approval from the European Commission and closing of the joint venture transaction and Ørsted’s and PGE’s final investments decisions.
According to Poland’s energy policy, offshore wind is a key technology to make Poland a low-emission economy. Although the country has zero offshore wind capacity installed at present, significant investments are planned for the near future. Poland’s Offshore Wind Act has specified a target of 5.9 GW by 2030 and up to 11 GW by 2040. Further, analyses suggest a potential to install up to 28 GW of offshore wind capacity in Polish waters by 2050.
