Polenergia's and Equinor's offshore wind farms are development opportunity for local companies

The interest of Polish companies in participating in the development of offshore wind power in the Baltic exceeded our expectations, say the organizers of the Supplier Day in Gdansk. More than 100 domestic entrepreneurs responded to the invitation of Polenergia, Equinor, and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy to participate in this unique event.

Pierwsze takie wydarzenie dla polskich firm

The Supplier's Day was the meeting with representatives of local companies that want to join the supply chain for offshore wind farm projects jointly implemented by Polenergia Group and the Norwegian company Equinor in the Polish exclusive economic zone of the Baltic Sea. At the same time, it was the first event devoted entirely to future cooperation with Polish companies on a specific wind farm component – a wind turbine. This unique formula of the meeting, which was attended by representatives of Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, the preferred wind turbine supplier for the MFW Bałtyk II and III offshore wind farm projects, was aimed at significantly increasing the chances of Polish suppliers to participate in both projects. The event was attended by more than 100 companies representing various areas of manufacturing and services for the offshore sector, including nacelle components, towers, steel structures, corrosion protection, design services, and more.

"Such meetings are intended to facilitate Polish companies' entry into the offshore market. They are an excellent opportunity for them to learn how to participate in our projects at the stage of construction, as well as subsequent operation and service. For us, it is not only an opportunity to establish good relations with potential local suppliers of components and services and to discuss the possibilities of possible future cooperation, but also an opportunity to implement our vision of sustainable modernization of the Polish economy." - states Maciej Stryjecki, Director for Offshore Wind Energy at Polenergia.

The meeting presented:

• information on both projects and their implementation schedules
• rules of the procurement process for components and services
• detailed and specific procurement packages
• innovations and competencies sought

Entrepreneurs got knowledge of how they can apply and what formal conditions they must meet to join the supply chain.  They also had the opportunity to directly category managers representing purchasing departments for specific components.

"We are pleased to see such a high turnout of Polish entrepreneurs, who see the development of a new energy industry in Poland as an opportunity for their own sustainable development. This is a good prognosis for investment in the growing sector. We, in turn, are keen to maximize the involvement of domestic suppliers and contractors. We want to cooperate not only with large nationwide companies but also with SMEs" - emphasizes Bjørn Ivar Bergemo, Project Director of MFW Bałtyk II and III.

Specjalne sesje tematyczne z ekspertami

At special thematic sessions, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy experts talked individually with suppliers about specific purchasing packages, including rotor blades, electrical systems, mechanical and hydraulic systems, nacelle structural components, towers, as well as accompanying and maintenance services. Cooperation with the world leader in wind turbine manufacturing is an opportunity for Polish companies to become involved not only in domestic but also in global offshore supply chains.

"Poland already has experience and success in many segments of the supply chain, particularly in electrical components or steel structure manufacturing. Components for wind turbines is another industry where Polish suppliers can demonstrate their advantages - high technical preparation, flexibility, well-equipped production sites." - adds Tiago Duran, Sales Project Procurement Manager at Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy.

The development of offshore wind energy is a great opportunity for Polish companies. The new industry can become a development impulse for the whole economy, especially Pomerania, which will be a place of investment. It will create demand for products and services of domestic companies from many industries and thousands of new jobs.

In the first phase of offshore wind energy development, wind farms with a total capacity of 5900 MW are to be built in the Polish Baltic zone by 2030. Among them are three 3000 MW projects jointly developed by Polenergia Group and Equinor.  The two most advanced projects, the MFW Bałtyk II III , will be located at Łeba, 37 km and 22 km from the shore. According to plans, they will produce their first electricity as early as 2027. The third project, MFW Bałtyk I will be built about 81 km from the coast, also at the level of Łeba. Its commissioning is planned for 2029. The offshore wind farms MFW Bałtyk II and III will be connected to the PSE Słupsk Wierzbięcino substation, and MFW Bałtyk I to the substation in Krzemienica. The land connection infrastructure corridor of about 14 km will run through the municipalities of Ustka and Słupsk.