Construction of an installation terminal for offshore wind farms in Świnoujście

On Thursday, a press conference was held at the future installation terminal for offshore wind farms in Świnoujście, which discussed the progress of the investments. Board of Maritime Ports Szczecin and Świnoujście S.A. together with ORLEN Neptune hosted this meeting, during which progress was presented on the West Coast.

The conference was attended by Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Marek Grobarczyk and Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment Małgorzata Golińska. During the event, the role of ports in the development of offshore wind energy was discussed.

Marine wind energy has the potential to become a key element of the Polish economy. It is also a significant development impetus for the Western Pomerania region, where investment related to the supply chain is being made for this innovative sector of the economy. On the horizon of 2024-2025, the port in Świnoujście is to become the place of operation of the first in Poland and one of the most advanced installation terminals in Europe for offshore wind farms. The lease agreement for port areas was concluded last autumn between ZMPSiŚ and PKN ORLEN. As planned, the construction of the terminal will be initiated in 2023, and the full operation of the terminal will be achieved at the turn of 2024 and 2025.

The construction of the terminal is divided into two separate investments – a hydrotechnical part, under the supervision of the Board of Maritime Ports of Szczecin and Świnoujście and a land part, carried out by ORLEN NEPTUN. Under the responsibilities that lie on ZMPSiŚ, two new quays are formed, 25 m deep into the water compared to the existing ones. The water path will be deepened from the Mieleńska to the new terminal, and the dredging material will be used to fill – creating floods between new and existing quays. In the land-based part of the investment, overseen by ORLEN Neptune, the construction of new component areas for offshore wind turbine components such as towers, shovels and gondolas was planned. The whole will include an area of about 17 ha, where communication infrastructure and a new administrative and office building will also be built.

The installation terminal for offshore wind farms in Świnoujście, one of the most technologically advanced terminals in Europe, is a milestone in the development of offshore wind energy in the Baltic Sea. Each of the two available quays, designed for the latest standards, allow the initial assembly of monumental wind turbine towers, the height of which will exceed 100 metres, and the mass will reach about 1000 tonnes each. These impressive structures are evidence of the growing importance of innovative technologies in the renewable energy industry.

**Photo: Visualization of the Installation Terminal in Świnoujście/ZMPSiŚ**

The length of each of the quays, which is 250 metres, allows the operation of the largest currently available specialist jack-up vessels, which are designed for the installation of state-of-the-art turbines with a unit capacity of 15 MW and larger. These machines, which represent the future of green energy, show how far offshore wind energy technology has come.

The Świnoujście Terminal, according to the assumptions, will serve first to install the components of the Baltic Power farm, which underlines its key role in developing the renewable wind energy sector. However, the ambition of this project goes even further. The next step is to use the terminal to carry out further investments in the Baltic, which confirms its strategic importance for the whole region.

An additional asset of the port in Świnoujście is its strategic location, which will allow to serve not only Polish investments, but also foreign investments. The ability to operate projects carried out in German, Swedish and Danish waters underlines the international nature of this investment and its potential for the development of the European offshore wind energy market. This investment falls within the growing context of the global energy transition strategy, highlighting Poland's role as a leader in renewable energy in the European market.

Baltic Power, a result of cooperation between the ORLEN Group and Northland Power, is one of the most advanced projects in the Polish offshore wind energy sector. Thanks to the ongoing work of almost 90 specialists from 10 different countries, the project has evolved into a precursor project in the Polish waters of the Baltic Sea.

Key elements of the offshore wind farm within the supply chain have already been secured, which confirms the determination and effectiveness of the Baltic Power team. It is worth noting that Polish companies also participate in the implementation of this monumental project, which proves the growing role of national companies in the global energy transition.

But that's not all. Baltic Power has also been involved in the construction of land-based connection infrastructure in Chochevo Municipality, which will receive the power produced by turbines at sea. This demonstrates the company's full commitment to creating a comprehensive solution for offshore wind energy.

The expansion of the Świnoujście port with a new installation terminal for offshore wind farms is not only an important step for the port itself, but also a great opportunity to develop the entire region of Western Pomerania. Research shows that every job created in the port generates an additional eight jobs in the port industry. This means that this investment has the potential to create waves of economic development that will translate into long-term benefits for the local community and economy.

The Western Pomerania, which is currently a leader in the country in terms of the renewable energy industry, now has the chance to grow even more rapidly. Investments in maritime infrastructure, such as the Świnoujście terminal, help the region maintain its dominant position in this important industry.

Source: ZMPSiŚ/MD