Page 26: of Offshore Engineer Magazine (Nov/Dec 2022)

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Market Forecast 2023 ue to risks associated with Russian fossil fuel in the next few years. supplies, Poland and the Baltic countries, Lith- In August 2022, in Marienborg, Denmark, representa- uania, Latvia, and Estonia, have found them- tives of the EU countries of the Baltic Sea region, announced selves in a dif?cult position in terms of security a target of installing 20 GW of offshore wind capacity by

D of supply and stability of energy prices. The energy mix of 2030. The technical potential for installing offshore wind each country differs. Poland relies most heavily on coal (al- turbines in Poland and the Baltic countries is 395 GW, of most 80% of its electricity production), Lithuania and Lat- which about half can be installed as bottom-?xed turbines.

via produce energy from renewable sources and natural gas, Poland is at the most advanced stage of preparation for and Estonia continues to exploit its own oil shale resources. an offshore wind project in the region and intends to put

As a result of the war in Ukraine, Poland and the Baltic 5.9 GW of wind farms into operation by 2030.

States have gained additional motivation to develop off- Its footsteps are already being followed by the Bal- shore wind energy even faster. Neither of these countries tic states, which are preparing to announce auctions. By has built any offshore wind to date. Other countries in the 2035, the total value of installed wind farms in Poland and

Baltic Sea basin have also made very little use of the Baltic’s the Baltics is estimated to reach 30 GW, requiring invest- energy potential. ment of over €70 billion. As a result of construction and

Despite its relatively shallow depths and good wind con- many years of operation, this market will offer numerous ditions, only ten wind farms currently operate in the Baltic development opportunities for the local offshore sector.

Sea, with a total capacity of 2.35 GW. The Arcadis Ost 1 wind farm recently started construction in the German

Efcient permitting process key to section of the Baltic Sea. The largest wind farm in opera- stronger energy independence tion in the Baltic Sea is the 605 MW Danish Kriegers Flak More than 30 projects are being developed in Poland project, commissioned in 2021. This situation may change and the Baltic States. Despite the determination of govern- 26 OFFSHORE ENGINEER OEDIGITAL.COM