First Transition Pieces on Their Way – Advancing the Bałtyk 2 and 3 Projects

The Bałtyk 2 and Bałtyk 3 offshore wind projects, jointly developed by Equinor and Polenergia, are gaining momentum with the transport of the first Transition Pieces (TPs). At the end of October, the components left the Smulders yard in Antwerp and were transported via the River Scheldt to Vlissingen in the Netherlands. They will be temporarily stored there and prepared for offshore installation scheduled to start in spring 2026. An important aspect of the project is local content – secondary steel components for the TPs are manufactured at Smulders’ facilities in Poland, strengthening the contribution of the domestic supply chain to the investment.

Transition Pieces (TPs) are robust steel components installed on the foundations of offshore wind turbines, most commonly on monopiles. Their primary function is to ensure a safe and durable connection between the tower and the turbine. Serving a dual purpose, TPs act both as a structural link and as a service platform, making them an essential element in the construction and maintenance of offshore wind farms.

Subsequent batches of Transition Pieces are transported by barge in sets of four, ensuring efficiency and operational safety. Each TP measures approximately 17 meters in height and weights around 400 tons, highlighting the scale and complexity of the logistics involved. In total, 100 Transition Pieces will be manufactured by Smulders and Sif. Once fitted with secondary steel from Smulders’ Polish facilities, they will become key structural components of the offshore wind farms.

All operations are carried out under strict safety procedures, with safety and seamless coordination as top priorities. This milestone marks significant progress in the Bałtyk 2 and Bałtyk 3 projects, which will soon deliver clean energy to more than two million Polish households, supporting the country’s energy transition and security.

Źródło/Source: Smulders