Page 27: of Offshore Engineer Magazine (Nov/Dec 2022)

26 28

ments to accelerate offshore wind development, dedicated Important players in the Polish market are state-owned legal solutions are just beginning to be implemented. None companies, responsible for the largest offshore wind proj- of the ongoing development projects have yet obtained a ects together with their international partners. complete set of permits. The largest identi?ed clusters in the Polish zone are the

Possible issues that could hinder the development of off- PKN Orlen-Northland Power cluster, with a capacity of shore wind farms in the region, include areas excluded due 1.2 GW; the PGE-Orsted cluster, with a target capacity of to defense activities, shipping routes, and opposition from 3.4 GW; and the Polenergia-Equinor cluster, with a target the tourism, ?sheries, and coal-based energy sectors. capacity of 3 GW.

So far, Poland has enacted a special law to promote off- New projects in the Polish zone are pending proceedings shore wind energy development, under which projects for 11 sites, with decisions expected in the ?rst half of 2023.

have applied for a support scheme that awards guaranteed Lithuania has so far announced two auctions for wind offtake prices. farms of 700 MW each; the ?rst will take place in the sec-

Support was granted in 2021 to 7 projects of 5.9 GW total, ond half of 2023. The 1 GW Latvian-Estonian Elwind which are currently at an advanced stage of obtaining envi- project is to be built by 2030, with the ?nal location ap- ronmental and construction permits and must be fully com- proved in October 2022.

missioned no later than 2028 in order not to lose support. Estonia plans to develop projects in three clusters: in the

The projects in the ?rst phase of support in Poland are Gulf of Riga and in the vicinity of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa being developed by joint ventures, consisting of a local en- islands. The largest project under development in Estonia tity and an international partner experienced in the off- is Saare-Liivi (5.9 GW) by Utilitas Wind OÜ. Once the shore industry. The total CAPEX for the construction of approvals are complete, further challenges are expected,

Polish projects in the ?rst phase of support will be as high among them a lack of existing port infrastructure and lim- as €16 billion. ited local and international supply chain resources.

november/december 2022 OFFSHORE ENGINEER 27