ORLEN has taken another significant step toward building a strong offshore wind sector in Poland. The company’s Baltic East project has received an environmental decision from the Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection (RDOŚ) in Gdańsk, enabling it to participate in Poland’s first-ever offshore wind auction scheduled for December. With an expected installed capacity of approximately 1 GW, the project will generate enough clean electricity to power more than 1.25 million households.
The environmental approval marks a crucial milestone in the development of Baltic East. According to ORLEN, the project is designed not only to accelerate Poland’s transition toward renewable energy but also to stimulate the domestic economy by engaging a broad network of Polish suppliers. The company aims for up to 50% of the project’s lifecycle value to be generated by Polish firms.
During the preparatory phase, ORLEN worked with several dozen domestic companies — including operators of installation terminals, consulting firms, and a consortium of Polish entities responsible for seismic and geotechnical surveys. The development of a strong domestic supply chain is expected to reinforce national competitiveness and reduce reliance on foreign contractors.
ORLEN Neptun, the entity responsible for the company’s offshore projects, emphasized that the timely delivery of the environmental decision reflects the expertise and efficiency of its development team. The company is advancing work on securing financing and obtaining the remaining permits required for construction. The strategic goal is to prepare Baltic East for auction participation and ensure the project begins commercial operation in 2032.
Participation in the December offshore auction requires environmental approval. The Polish Energy Regulatory Office will select projects with a combined capacity of up to 4 GW that will benefit from a Contract for Difference (CfD) mechanism. Baltic East is now entering a decisive stage, which includes completing design work, obtaining construction permits, and proceeding toward a final investment decision.
A major element of the project is its strong focus on local content. Polish suppliers are expected to be involved in component manufacturing, logistics, technical services, and ongoing operations, reinforcing the national offshore industry.
Prior to issuing the decision, several Polish firms conducted extensive environmental research. The findings confirmed that Baltic East’s technical and operational solutions effectively minimize environmental impacts — including designated flight corridors for migratory birds and noise-mitigation measures to protect marine ecosystems.
The decision covers turbines, foundations, on-site substations, and internal cabling. A separate procedure is underway for the grid connection infrastructure. The project already holds a location permit (PSZW), preliminary grid connection conditions, and a permit for laying and maintaining subsea cables (PUUK).
Baltic East will be constructed on a 110 km² seabed area located approximately 22.5 km off the Baltic coast, near the Baltic Power project currently under construction. Baltic East is ORLEN’s second offshore wind farm and one of six concessions held by the company. In parallel, the Baltic West project — comprising four concessions near the Odra Bank — is also progressing.
ORLEN aims to complete all its offshore developments by 2040. Offshore wind is set to play a central role in strengthening Poland’s energy security, lowering long-term energy costs, and reducing dependence on fossil fuel imports.
