The ORLEN Group has applied for seven new licences for the development of offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea and intends to apply for four more. If all licenses are granted, the capacity of all projects will amount to 7 gigawatts (GW).
Given its high production efficiency, offshore wind power generation is the fastest-growing renewable energy source in Europe. About 2.2 GW of capacity has been installed in the Baltic Sea to date, and reportedly, the figure could reach as much as 93 GW by 2050.
“The ORLEN Group Strategy 2030 identifies energy generation based primarily on renewable sources as a key growth area. Our plans to build low-and zero-carbon power generating capacities rely on the most efficient technologies available today that will enable us to modernise this business segment”, noted Daniel Obajtek, President of the PKN ORLEN Management Board.
“We aim to invest in offshore wind farms as a key development direction for the Group and the Polish economy as a whole. We have the expertise and resources needed to lead this process. Hence the drive to secure the largest possible number of new licences. This is vital in order to achieve the desired economies of scale that would enable Polish firms to maximise contribution and participate in the business processes related to the offshore wind value chain”, he added.
According to the Poland Energy Policy 2040, between 9 GW and 11 GW of offshore wind capacity is to be developed in Polish waters. By the end of the decade, the ORLEN Group will spend 47 billion Polish zloty (approximately 10.3 billion euros) on energy projects, including offshore wind.
