Poland, long known as one of Europe’s most coal-dependent countries, is embarking on a new journey towards clean energy. Euronews takes a boat trip through the Baltic Sea to visit the first ever offshore wind farm on Polish territory.
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Once reliant on coal for the majority of its electricity, the country of just over 36 million that currently holds the EU rotating presidency is trying to reduce its dependence on the fossil fuel.
With many mines becoming unprofitable and old infrastructure in decline, the Polish government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk has planned a gradual closure of coal facilities in the south of the country. As the coal regions of the country come to terms with this shift, northern Poland adjacent to the Baltic Sea is booming.
Ignacy Niemczycki, the deputy minister in the Chancellery, briefed a handful of Brussels-based journalists on board the Jantar passenger ship, telling Euronews that the wind farm should have a lifecycle of up to 30 years and be a major part of the energy transition.
“It’s in the interest of the Polish economy to invest in renewables, nuclear, and gas to stabilise the grid,” the minister told Euronews.
Baltic Power – a joint venture between ORLEN and Northland Power
Situated 23 kilometres off the northern coast near Choczewo and Łeba, the wind farm is among the most advanced renewable energy projects in the Polish Economic Zone. The final installed capacity of the project is expected to reach 1140 MW, enough to supply electricity to approximately 1.5 million Polish households.
Poland also to invest in nuclear
Renewables will only be one part of the Polish energy mix. Plans for the first ever nuclear plant, which will also be located on Poland’s northern Baltic Sea coast, were put in place under the former Law and Justice (PiS) government and have been continued by Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s current ruling coalition.
Niemczycki told Euronews that a second nuclear project is being considered and Poland is keeping a close eye on Canada as it experiments with the first ever mini nuclear plant, known as a Small Modular Reactor (SMR). SMRs could potentially power up to 300 MW(e) per unit.
“We will see a major change in Poland’s energy mix over the next 15 years,” said Niemczycki. “Nuclear will become the new baseline, with renewables and gas providing flexibility and stability.”