Representatives of Polenergia and Equinor on the biggest offshore opportunities and challenges

Building public awareness, spreading knowledge among companies that could join the Polish value chain, the impact of the legislative environment on the economics of offshore projects were just some of the topics discussed at the Offshore Wind Poland 2022 conference organised by the Polish Wind Energy Association.

Representatives of Polenergia and Equinor, the two companies currently operating the most advanced wind farm projects in the Polish Baltic Sea, shared their experiences with conference participants.

Michał Kołodziejczyk, President of the Management Board of Equinor Polska, in the opening panel of the conference tried to answer the question "How to use the potential of the Polish maritime areas and stimulate the development of offshore wind energy in Poland?". Among the issues he highlighted were the need to simplify the permitting process, speed up regulatory changes and make the legislative changes needed to improve the economics of Phase I offshore wind projects. He also pointed to opportunities for Polish companies to be included in supply chains in the global market.

Maciej Stryjecki, Director of Offshore Wind Energy at Polenergia Group, led the discussion on 'The economics of Phase I offshore wind development projects in Poland'. He emphasised that one of the priority activities is the creation of a Polish supply chain. He predicted that success in the implementation of the first phase of projects - including their economics and the building of the supply chain, will determine the fate of the second phase of projects.

Paweł Mawduk, Offshore Wind Project Manager at Polenergia, participated in the panel 'Local content - supply chain challenges'. He drew attention to the need to educate companies that could form a local supply chain. He emphasised how important it is to constantly share knowledge about the benefits they can achieve and the requirements they need to meet.

The Offshore Wind Poland 2022 conference in Warsaw brought together offshore companies and stakeholders involved in offshore wind projects in the Polish Baltic Sea for two days - 16 and 17 November.