On 22 October, at the MERK Centre for Promotion and Education in Władysławowo, the Instrat Foundation presented the report ‘The unsettled Baltic. Polish fisheries and offshore wind farms’. Władysławowo became a place for a debate on offshore wind energy development and its impact on the Baltic fisheries sector. Representatives of Ocean Winds attending the conference emphasised the important role of cooperation between investors and the local communities of Pomerania.
The event brought together not only local residents, but also representatives of the fishing community, local authorities, investors and experts. Invited guests included the mayor of Władysławowo and representatives of Ocean Winds.
One of the key topics discussed was the future of the fisheries sector in the context of offshore wind energy development. Participants at the meeting highlighted the concerns of the fishing community that new developments could limit their access to traditional fishing grounds. It was emphasised that fishing is not only a source of livelihood, but also part of local culture and tradition. Therefore, it is important for authorities and investors to take measures to minimise negative impacts on the sector.
Although the Polish fisheries sector is declining rapidly, it still comprises some 2 500 people and nearly 800 fishing vessels. Experts from the Instrat Foundation point out that the main problems of this industry are dwindling fish stocks and the deteriorating state of the Baltic Sea ecosystem. The document draws attention to the opportunity for cross-sectoral cooperation opened up by the development of offshore wind farms in the Baltic.
In the context of the changing labor market, the issue of reskilling fishermen has come up. Many fishermen have expressed a desire to acquire new qualifications that would allow them to work in the wind energy sector. In response to these needs, various training programmes are being organised to prepare fishermen for work in the new sector.
One of the key topics discussed during the meeting was the cooperation of investors with local communities. Aleksandra Jampolska, representing Ocean Winds, emphasised that companies developing projects in the renewable energy sector engage in dialogue with local people to understand their concerns and needs. This collaboration is particularly important in the context of fisheries, which have been a mainstay of the local economy for years. Investors developing offshore wind projects in the Baltic Sea take many initiatives, engage with local communities, support community projects and create programs whereby, residents can change the environment in which they live. This is the only way to build trust and ensure that wind energy development benefits all parties.
Władysławowo, like other coastal cities, faces many challenges in developing wind energy in the Baltic Sea. Also, before the opportunities that new investments can bring. It is crucial that the local community has the opportunity to actively participate in this process, and that the authorities and investors take action to support traditional sectors of the local economy, such as fishing. Cooperation and dialogue will be key to ensuring that offshore wind energy development benefits all the people in the region,”– stressed Aleksandra Jampolska, from Ocean Winds. The Ocean Winds representative also presented details of the planned BC-Wind investment. Among other things, its exact location, planned schedule and scope of work were discussed.
At the end of the meeting, a walk was organised during which participants were able to see the exact location of the planned Ocean Winds service port. It is in Władysławowo that a service port will be built to service the BC-Wind project. As part of the construction of the offshore wind farm, Ocean Winds intends to install some 34 wind turbines in the Baltic Sea, located some 37 kilometres from the port. This distance of 20 nautical miles will be covered in about 75 minutes at a speed of 16 knots. Władysławowo will act as the main service point both during the construction and operation phases of the turbines.
An operations and service center for maintaining the BC-Wind wind farm will be built at the landing wharf and passenger pier. Ocean Winds, on the site of the Port of Władysławowo, will build infrastructure including office buildings, warehouses and storage yards. The port will provide access to the quay from which Ocean Winds’ vessels will conduct operations.