Project

Offshore wind farms are among the most promising technologies driving the global energy transition. They address critical challenges such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing energy security. These farms consist of multiple wind turbines installed at sea—typically in coastal areas—where wind conditions are stronger and more consistent than on land. As a result, offshore wind farms can generate significantly more electricity in a completely emission-free manner.

According to the Global Offshore Wind Report 2023 published by the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), by the end of 2022, the total global installed offshore wind capacity had reached 64.3 GW. This figure is expected to more than quadruple by 2030, reaching 380 GW. In 2022 alone, over 8.8 GW of new offshore wind capacity was commissioned, underscoring the sector’s status as one of the fastest-growing branches of renewable energy.

Technology works by converting the kinetic energy of the wind into electricity. As the wind moves the blades of the turbine, it drives a rotor connected to a generator. This mechanical process produces energy without the need for fossil fuels, supplying electricity to hundreds of thousands of households.

Offshore wind farms not only play a crucial role in reducing CO₂ emissions but also represent a tangible opportunity to build a new industrial sector, create jobs, and provide long-term momentum for the development of the maritime economy.

Source: Global Wind Energy Council, Global Offshore Wind Report 2023, www.gwec.net

It is assumed that turbines start operating at a wind speed of around 3m/s, i.e. a ‘light wind’. This speed is measured at the height of the turbine rotor, where it blows stronger than at the base.

When the wind stops blowing the wind turbines stop, however the wind farm can still provide services to the transmission grid operator consisting in the so-called reactive power compensation.

There is a wind vane at the top of each turbine: this tells the turbine the speed and direction the wind is blowing. The turbine then rotates on the tower to face into the wind, and the blades rotate on their axis to create maximum resistance against the wind. The wind starts turning the blades which are connected to a hub and a low-speed shaft.

The low-speed shaft spins at the same speed as the blades (7-12 revolutions per minute). But we need a much faster rotational speed for the generator to produce electricity. That’s why most wind turbines have a gearbox, which multiplies the rotational speed of the low-speed shaft by over 100 times to the high-speed shaft, which rotates up to 1,500 revolutions per minute. This is connected to a generator, which converts the kinetic energy into electricity. Turbines that do not have a gearbox are connected directly from the hub to the generator through their axis (this is called ‚direct-drive’).

Source: https://windeurope.org/about-wind/wind-basics/

Energy generated by offshore wind farms is clean – it does not pollute the air, noise from the turbines is not audible, and the farms themselves are energy efficient. Therefore, they enjoy public trust. Offshore energy is a cost-effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet Europe’s 2050 climate goals. The offshore location of the turbines does not affect the coastal landscape and at the same time provides a development opportunity for the local community, a range of long supply chain industries including shipbuilding and the port sector.

In general, the advantages of offshore farms far outweigh their disadvantages.

The water environment causes a significant risk of corrosion and requires much better protection of both the foundation and the structure itself. Because offshore wind farms are much more difficult to access, much more expensive and resilient materials must be used to maximize the need to replace parts in the event of failure. Therefore, more reliable, which means much more expensive turbines are used. The operating costs of offshore power plants, for example, are higher compared to onshore farms because access to the power plants is more difficult.

Investors are therefore trying to minimize maintenance expenditures based primarily on international experience in the construction and operation of already operating offshore wind farms.

Construction and operation of offshore wind farms is planned to be completely safe for both coastal residents and the rest of the country.

These investments are planned in multiple stages and in order to fully utilize the potential of offshore energy, parallel modernization and expansion of power grids as well as energy storage and management systems are necessary.

The Baltic Sea, second only to the North Sea, offers some of the most favorable conditions in Europe for the development of offshore wind energy. Its geographic, climatic, and technical characteristics make the region a focal point for investors and policymakers driving the energy transition in Central and Eastern Europe.

Relatively shallow waters and stable wind conditions—with average wind speeds ranging from 7 to 9 meters per second—enable efficient and predictable power generation. The proximity to shore and access to well-developed port infrastructure significantly simplifies the transport, installation, and maintenance of wind turbines, contributing to lower project implementation costs.

According to Wind Europe’s Offshore Wind in Europe – Key Trends and Statistics 2023 report, the Baltic Sea region holds the potential to install up to 93 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2050, with Poland expected to play a significant role. Countries around the Baltic—such as Germany, Poland, Sweden, Denmark, Lithuania, and Estonia—are actively strengthening their regulatory frameworks and accelerating investments to unlock this potential.

The Baltic Sea is not only a favorable location, but a strategic one for Europe’s renewable energy future. It has the potential to become a cornerstone of the green transition in the region and a vital source of affordable, clean energy for millions of Europeans.

Sources:
Wind Europe, Offshore Wind in Europe – Key Trends and Statistics 2023, windeurope.org

Baltic Sea Offshore Wind Declaration, 2022

The BC-Wind farm will be located approximately 23 km from the coastline, to the north of Krokowa and Choczewo municipalities in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Baltic Sea.

The first energy from the BC-Wind offshore wind farm will flow in 2028.