First steel cut in Polish factory – launch of manufacturing of key components for Baltica 2
On July 31st, a symbolic steel cutting ceremony officially marked the beginning of production of components needed for the construction and subsequent safe operation of the Baltica 2 Offshore Wind Farm. The anode cages and mooring structures will be manufactured by the Baltic Industrial Group (part of the state-owned ARP Group) at its factories in Gdańsk and Gdynia.
"One of the priorities defined in the new PGE Group strategy until 2035 is strengthening the domestic supply chain. In our opinion, the implementation of PGE's investment program by 2035, which anticipates expenditures totaling over PLN 230 billion, will result in orders worth at least PLN 150 billion for the Polish industry. The contract for components that will be used in our Baltica 2 project which will be produced by a company belonging to the ARP Group is an excellent example of achieving this goal. It also stimulates further technological development of the entire industry, which is essential for the stable growth of the offshore wind sector in Poland,” said Maciej Górski, Vice-President of the Management Board for Operations, PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna. “We clearly see that Polish companies have the competences, qualified staff, and adequate production potential to become a pillar of offshore wind energy development in the Baltic Sea. This is confirmed by the fact that at every stage of the development of our offshore projects, we leverage the potential of domestic enterprises, research institutions, and the knowledge of our specialists. We are also particularly pleased that the share of Polish entities involved in our projects in the offshore wind energy segment is steadily growing," added Maciej Górski.
"I am pleased that important structural components will be manufactured in Pomerania, by the Baltic Industrial Group. This demonstrates that Polish companies have the real expertise to join the offshore wind energy supply chain. Today we are talking about auxiliary components, but each contract like this is a step towards more advanced production in the future. The true success of local content is when our suppliers become increasingly competitive and not only submit bids in procurement proceedings in Poland but also globally. I am convinced that this contract will allow the Baltic Industrial Group to enter the wider offshore market," commented Agata Staniewska-Bolesta, Managing Director of Orsted Offshore Poland.
"We are pleased that Ørsted and PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna – leaders in the energy transformation – have chosen us to manufacture these key components. This proves that cooperation and a focus on local supplies from Europe and Poland are yielding tangible results. It proves that Polish companies are ready to participate in the energy revolution not as subcontractors, but as partners," said Remigiusz Paszkiewicz, President of the Management Board of Grupa Przemysłowa Baltic.
Anode cages and boat-landings are being installed to protect the foundations from corrosion and mechanical damage. They are part of the secondary structures for the Baltica 2 project. Other components in this area, namely the suspended internal platforms, will also be manufactured in Poland in Żary (Lubuskie Voivodeship) by Smulders.
The Baltic Industrial Group (Grupa Przemysłowa Baltic), owned by the Industrial Development Agency (ARP), serves as the implementing arm of the country's industrial policy. Collaboration on this project aligns with Poland's strategic development goals – building a strong offshore wind energy sector, developing components for nuclear energy, and rebuilding domestic production capacity.
The Baltica 2 project entered the offshore construction phase this year. Work has begun to prepare seabed for foundations and laying of submarine cables. Since mid-2024, construction of the onshore connection infrastructure in the Choczewo commune have been underway, as well as production of key components that will deliver power from Baltica 2 to the transmission grid. The investors – PGE and Ørsted – have already taken the final investment decision for the project. They have contracted key components necessary to begin construction, as well as signed all agreements regarding installation of foundations, cables, turbines, and offshore substations. The partners have all the necessary construction permits. Baltica 2 will significantly contribute to the transition of the Polish energy sector. With 107 turbines and a total capacity of 1.5 GW, this offshore wind farm will generate as much electricity as approximately 2.5 million homes consume annually.