First Polish Information Centre on Off-Shore Wind Farms Launched in Łeba. Initiative Authored by Equinor and Polenergia

The “Information Centre on Off-Shore Wind Farms” commenced its operation in Łeba. This is the first Polish year-round information and education point with respect to off-shore wind energy. One of its major tasks is to popularise knowledge about joint projects implemented on the Baltic Sea by Equinor and Polenergia. The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of the Polish parliament, province and local government authorities, and activists from local organisations.

The centre is located in the heart of Łeba and offers comprehensive information about investments implemented by Equinor and Polenergia. In the Polish part of the Baltic Sea, the companies are jointly working on three off-shore wind farm projects. Bałtyk I, Bałtyk II and Bałtyk III, with a total capacity of approx. 3 GW, will provide renewable energy to over 4 million households.

“Investments in off-shore Bałtyk wind farms contribute to green energy transformation of Poland and are yet another example of excellent Polish and Norwegian cooperation, which has been pursued for decades,” said Anders H. Eide, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway in Poland, who visited the Łeba centre a few days earlier.

The first supply of energy from the most advanced off-shore wind farms Bałtyk II and Bałtyk III with a total capacity of 1.44 GW will be made to the Polish energy system already in 2027. Bałtyk I, with the capacity of 1.56 GW, implemented in the next stage, is going to be ready for an auction scheduled in 2025. The farms will be located at the height of Łeba at a distance from 22 to over 80 km from the coast line.

Investments in off-shore wind energy are a true transformation of the energy industry. For the first time, production of electricity in Pomerania will be higher than consumption. The renewable clean sources of energy open a new chapter in the history of Polish energy sector, providing us not only with energy security, but also with possibilities of development for small ports, such as the one in Łeba. It is important to note that the entire investment process, since the moment of its initiation, is reliably consulted with the local communities and professional groups.

Kazimierz Kleina

Senator of the Republic of Poland

Not only members of the parliament attended the opening ceremony, but also representatives of province and local government authorities and activists from local social organisations, with whom Equinor and Polenergia have been conducting a partner-like dialogue since the beginning of the investment.

We want to be a good neighbour and listen to the voices of the local community and remain in direct and ongoing contact with the local residents. Opening of the Centre is a symbolic seal of our active presence in Łeba, where we have been building an operational and service base, functioning as a logistics centre for almost three decades of operations conducted on the sea for the Bałtyk projects. Cooperation with the residents of Pomerania, local governments and institutions allows us to learn their needs and to meet their expectations.

Bjørn Ivar Bergemo

Director of Bałtyk II and Bałtyk III Projects, representative of Equinor

The operational and logistics hub for off-shore Bałtyk II and Bałtyk III wind farms will also be located in Łeba. In the refurbished premises of the former steelworks, Equinor is going to construct modern, environmentally-friendly office premises, control and service centre for the wind farms, a spare parts warehouse and a pier for vessels. The construction of the hub will start at the end of 2023/ beginning of 2024 and the facility is going to be commissioned at the end of 2025.

The hub will offer long-term employment for approx. 100 specialists who will keep the infrastructure and the off-shore devices technologically fit, as well as support servicing thereof from land. Apart from new work places, the investment will provide the region with an opportunity for development and earning potential for the local entrepreneurs. During the construction, as well as later operation, the investor intends to use the locally available materials and services of local entrepreneurs to a maximum degree.

Development of off-shore wind energy offers huge development possibilities to the commune and its residents. The service harbour, benefits from income, taxes, lease, new jobs: all of this will affect the residents’ level of life. It will not only keep them in the commune, which has been depopulating for years, but may even attract new residents. Łeba is a tourist commune, which falls dormant outside of season. The new investments will definitely change it.

Andrzej Strzechmiński

Mayor of Łeba

The new jobs will be created not only during the construction and operation of the off-shore wind farms, but also via suppliers of components and services.

The value chain created by us includes both entrepreneurs from Pomerania and those from other parts of the country. Off-shore wind farms are long-term investments, which entail our presence in the coastal communes for at least 30 years. That is why we are open to cooperation not only with large Polish companies, but also with small local businessmen. We would like our investments to offer actual benefits to people and the environment.

Marta Porzuczek

Stakeholder Management Director in Bałtyk Projects, representative of Polenergia Group

The Centre, opened at the beginning of the summer season, will offer year-round information about Bałtyk off-shore wind farms, the operational and service hub in Łeba, professional prospects and jobs. It will also serve as a place of education for children and youth, where classes and knowledge competitions with prizes will be organised for them. An educational play corner has been designed for youngest children.

A model of an off-shore wind farm will be displayed in the centre and a presentation about projects will be shown on a large monitor and an iPad. The consultant working in the centre will answer any questions. Information prepared in an attractive form will show the environmental, economic and local benefits from off-shore wind energy to the interested persons. The information point will also have a form for submission of remarks and complaints which can be completed anonymously. The Centre will simultaneously support and promote local initiatives.

The Information Centre will be open for five days a week, from Wednesday to Sunday between 2.00 p.m. and 6.00 p.m. The Centre is located in the vicinity of the City Office at ul. Kościuszki 88 in Łeba.

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First Polish Information Centre on Off-Shore Wind Farms Launched in Łeba. Initiative Authored by Equinor and Polenergia

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