Hitachi Energy has been selected by Equinor and Polenergia for the design of an electrical system at the Baltyk II and III offshore wind farms, the two of the largest and most advanced offshore wind farms being built in Poland.
The total capacity of Baltyk II and III will be 1440 MW, which will cover the annual demand for clean electricity of over 2 million households. Under the awarded contract, Hitachi Energy will be responsible for the electrical system design for the whole offshore wind farm, from the wind turbines to the point of connection to the grid at the Słupsk-Wierzbięcino substation.
The contract covers system study analysis and the integration of all relevant equipment of interfacing contractors so that the overall wind farms are designed with a safe, cost-optimal, and stable transmission system that is compliant with the Polish Grid Code requirements, Equinor said.
“This is one of the most important contracts of our Bałtyk projects”, said Michał Michalski, president of the Management Board of Polenergia adding that the projects willl increase competitiveness and support a sustainable energy future. “We also count on joint initiatives that will allow us to achieve our ambitious goals in the field of local content,” he noted.
In addition, Hitachi Energy is also responsible for the delivery of the overall power control system, overall telecom network, and all high voltage equipment at the offshore substation and the onshore substation, as well as turnkey delivery of the whole onshore substation. The contracts also include assembly and connection works.
“Together with Hitachi Energy, we want to develop a local supply chain for offshore wind farms in Poland,” said Mette H. Ottoy, purchasing director at Equinor revealing that a few weeks ago, Equinor signed a strategic partnership agreement with Hitachi for future projects.
The Baltyk II and III projects constitute a significant part of the first phase of the Polish offshore wind energy development program. The final investment decision for both projects (depending on obtaining the necessary permits) is expected for 2024, while commissioning is planned for 2027, at the latest.
