Development of the offshore wind market in Poland & the Baltic states

In Poland, reaching the set target of 10,9 GW is planned in two phases: Phase I, for which CfD for 5,9 GW were awarded in 2021 to 5 project owners: Equinor/Polenergia, Ørsted/PGE, Baltic Power (ORLEN/Northland Power), RWE and Ocean Winds; and Phase II, with auctions for totally 5 GW planned for 2025 and 2027. A recently proposed amendment to the Act on RES aims at changing this scheme to four auctions offering a total support of 12 GW (for the 2025 and 2027 auctions 4 GW each, and for additional two auctions in 2029 and - 2 GW each.

Last year triggered an increased pace of development in OW in the Baltic countries. Lithuania has just launched its first tender for an up to 700 MW, expected to be fully commissioned by 2030, and another one of the same capacity will be launched in autumn this year. Estonia has a large offshore wind project pipeline (11GW) in 3-4 Baltic Sea areas that will be put up for auction in September. The winners of this auction will play a key role in Estonia’s energy future. Latvia is speeding up the work with the necessary legal framework to catch up in OW development with its neighbours. Latvia together with Estonia are establishing a joint ELWIND wind farm of 1 GW near the Gulf of Riga, planned to be commissioned in 2030.