Zachodniopomorskie_Offshore 2027. Fair winds for the region

“It is our future, and we want to position ourselves among the leaders,” said Deputy Mayor Michał Przepiera when referring to offshore wind energy. The “Zachodniopomorskie_Offshore 2027” programme was initiated by the Maritime Cluster with a view to reaching the target. A memorandum of understanding referring to this matter was signed on Monday by the Marshal of the Westpomeranian Region and the representatives of Szczecin, Świnoujście, Kołobrzeg and Darłowo.

The goal of the programme is to ensure the greatest possible participation of West Pomerania in the development of Polish offshore wind farms. „Zachodniopomorskie_Offshore 2027” is to strengthen regional companies operating in the offshore sector, facilitate cooperation, and promote them on new markets. It is also a response to the challenges posed by the EU climate policy. Efforts to reach the so called climate neutrality are stimulating the development of state-of-the-art economy sectors at the expense of the traditional ones. It is demonstrated, for example, by European shipyards which find it increasingly difficult to compete against Asian plants as regards the construction of bulk carriers, oil tankers and container ships, but they have a huge technological advantage, so they develop the manufacture of specialised structures and vessels. The offshore renewable energy is a great opportunity for the sector. EU Plans with a 2050 perspective refer to as much as 440 GW of power from plants located on seas surrounding Europe. It is currently about several dozen GW. The Polish offshore wind energy programme includes plans for the construction of plants with a capacity of about a dozen GW by 2040.

 “West Pomerania has gained a really strong Wind Energy Cluster, and we are the largest producer of wind energy in Poland, and we are not planning to give way to anyone in this respect,” said the Region’s Marshal, Olgierd Geblewicz during an event organised to celebrate the signing of the memorandum of understanding in the matter of the Zachodniopomorskie_Offshore 2021 programme. “Companies representing the sector have been operating in the region for years. They are reputable companies, market leaders, and that is why we decided to launch measures aimed at utilising our resources and the potential of our key ports.

During the meeting on Monday, the assumptions behind the „Zachodniopomorskie_Offshore 2027”  programme were presented by its initiator dr inż. Andrzej Montwiłł, President of the Westpomeranian Maritime Cluster. The event to celebrate the signing of the memorandum of understanding was attended by the representatives of port cities and towns - Szczecin, Świnoujście, Kołobrzeg and Darłowo.

“Szczecin, as  a member of the local government community wishes to take part in cooperation for the development of the offshore energy sector. Thanks to the collaboration between local authorities, science and business circles - in this triad - we can achieve whatever is necessary to transform our economy,” said Deputy Mayor of Szczecin, Michał Przepiera.

The main objectives of the programme include the strengthening of Westpomeranian Region's economy, the most extensive possible participation of local enterprises in the construction and operation of offshore wind farms, and the use of the potential of regional higher-education institutions.

The plan for the growth of the offshore wind energy sector in the Westpomeranian Region covers the 2021-2027 period, but it is expected to continue until 2040. It includes several segments: offshore structures, vessels, transport and logistics, maintenance and renovation, offshore energy, materials, education, and RD&I. The objective is to create the Westpomeranian offshore ecosystem - a network of relationships between local authorities, ARMS [Agencja Rozwoju Meetropolii Szczecińskiej - Szczecin Metropolis Development Agency], business support institutions, higher-education institutions and enterprises interested in running activities in the offshore wind energy sector.

“The Baltic Sea is one of the best water bodies for the development of offshore wind energy. It a question of depth and wind levels,” explained dr inż. Andrzej Montwiłł. “The Draft Polish Energy Policy assumes the construction of wind farms in our part of the Baltic Sea with a total installed capacity of 11 GW by 2040. The capacity of 5.9 GW is due to be provided by 2030. The first development stage includes the Słupsk shoal, while further stages will be westbound: Kołobrzeg, Darłowo and Świnoujście. It is worth noting that the port in Świnoujście has the best conditions for handling wind farms on the Baltic Sea, as it can be best adjusted to installation needs.

The President of the Westpomeranian Maritime Cluster stressed that the development of the offshore sector, including offshore wind energy, included not only the construction and assembly of large-scale structures on the sea, but also the construction of specialised vessels, extensive logistic activities, as well as the construction of transmission network and energy storage facilities.