Poland Poised to Lead in Offshore Wind Energy Development

According to a recent report by the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), Poland is emerging as a key player in the offshore wind energy sector, with potential to become a global leader. The report highlights significant growth prospects for Poland alongside countries such as Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Brazil.

In 2023, the world added 10.8 GW of new offshore wind power capacity, bringing the total to 75.2 GW. China led the charge, adding 6.3 GW and maintaining its top position for the sixth consecutive year. Europe also had a record year, adding 3.8 GW from 11 new wind farms across seven markets.

Ben Backwell, CEO of GWEC, emphasized that offshore wind energy is on track to meet the ambitious goals set at COP28 in Dubai. The report projects the addition of 410 GW of new offshore wind power capacity globally by 2030, aligning with the goal of reaching 380 GW.

However, Poland's potential is currently hindered by regulatory challenges. The country’s existing law requires new onshore wind farms to be at least 700 meters from residential areas. Although the government has promised to expedite the legislative process for a new project, it has yet to reach the Council of Ministers.

Despite these hurdles, Poland's Baltic Sea projects show promise. Jarosław Broda, CEO of Baltic Power and a board member of ORLEN Neptun, announced that the first energy from their offshore wind farm is expected by early 2026. Additionally, the PGE Polish Energy Group's Baltica-2 project is slated to deliver its first power in 2027, with full operation anticipated the following year, according to CEO Dariusz Marzec.

The development of the offshore wind sector will require skilled labor. Currently, China provides 48% of the global wind energy workforce, with the top 10 countries in the sector employing 1.23 million people combined. In Europe, the focus on expanding the workforce and enhancing collaboration between industry and government is crucial for achieving these ambitious targets.