Offshore Wind Turbine Logistics
- Oprac. M.K.
- Kategoria: English zone
The ORLEN Group has reached another milestone in the development of offshore wind energy. The first operational and maintenance base for offshore wind farms in Poland is now up and running in Łeba. The port infrastructure, built entirely from scratch, will support the Baltic Power offshore wind farm, which is being developed by ORLEN in partnership with Canada’s Northland Power. The base already plays a key role in the ongoing offshore construction process, which will culminate in the launch of Poland’s first offshore wind farm in the Baltic Sea next year.
As the ORLEN Group, we are both a pioneer and a leader in the development of offshore wind energy in Poland. As early as 2026, clean electricity generated at sea by our Baltic Power wind farm will begin flowing to consumers. The onshore heart of this venture is the operational and maintenance base we are opening today. At ORLEN, we understand that Poland must harness the potential of the Baltic Sea, which is why our investments in the region will not stop here. The service base is the key to the success of the Baltic Power construction, and Pomerania is becoming the key to the future of Poland’s energy sector. Hundreds of workers are carrying out the largest offshore installation works in our history, while others are preparing multibillion-zloty investments in transmission networks and new power sources. All of this was outlined in our strategy, and we are delivering on that promise. We are implementing the largest investment program in the history of the Polish energy sector, worth up to PLN 380 billion - said Ireneusz Fąfara, President of the Management Board and CEO of ORLEN.
Service Logistics
The base in Łeba includes a specially reinforced service quay fitted with two cranes, berthing space for crew transfer vessels (CTVs), a high-bay warehouse for necessary equipment and spare parts, as well as workshops and technical facilities for service teams and technicians. The same building also houses the Baltic Power Marine Coordination Center (MCC), which began operations in parallel with the offshore installations. The MCC operates 24/7, every day of the year. In recent weeks, the base has been fully outfitted and is ready for daily operations. Technicians and service personnel are expected to begin work there later this year.
This is a moment of true joy for the entire offshore wind energy sector in Poland – from now on, anyone walking along the port channel in Łeba can see fully operational offshore wind infrastructure. Declarations and plans have turned into concrete actions and tangible facilities. The Baltic Power base in Łeba will handle service vessels and carry out all essential operations to ensure the reliable and safe functioning of the offshore wind farm. Around 60 technicians and staff members will be employed here for approximately 30 years - said Grzegorz Szabliński, President of the Management Board at Baltic Power.
Oversized Transport Base
The base in Łeba currently supports installation work at the offshore construction site located about 23 km from the coastline. Foundation work is now underway, including the installation of monopiles and transition pieces. Installation of wind turbines and subsea cables is set to begin in the coming weeks. Onshore, the construction of cable routes and a power substation in the Choczewo municipality is progressing according to schedule.
The Baltic Power offshore wind farm is scheduled to go online in 2026. The investment by ORLEN and Northland Power is the most advanced offshore wind project in Poland and the first to enter the construction phase. The farm will be among the first in the world to install 15 MW wind turbines. With an expected annual generation of about 4,000 GWh of zero-emission electricity, Baltic Power aims to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 2.8 million tonnes annually compared to conventional power sources.
Source: ORLEN