Offshore wind energy will substantially accelerate in the next decades. This will be one of the fastest-developing renewable energy sources, also in Poland. Globally, installed capacity is to increase more than 5-fold, to 316 GW by 2030. The outlook for offshore wind in the Baltic Sea and Europe is analysed in the new report on availability of installation vessels, which substantially determine the growth rate of the offshore sector. The report has been launched during the annual 2022 PWEA Conference.
Offshore wind is a key technology that will contribute to the establishment of zero-carbon energy system not only in Poland, but also throughout Europe. Subsequent European countries increase their ambitions in the sector, raising questions about barriers hindering the development of the technology and production capacity necessary to fulfil the growing ambitions in that respect.
Poland may become the largest offshore wind market in the Baltic Sea. An analysis prepared by the Polish Wind Energy Association together with WindEurope demonstrates that out of 83 GW of the overall estimated 2050 Baltic Sea potential, 28 GW is to be found in the area governed by the Polish state. The central location of and the indicated potential mean that Poland has an opportunity to become an offshore wind hub in the Baltic Sea, both in terms of component manufacture as well as maintenance and service provision for operating wind farms.
“An important element of discussion about the Polish offshore wind sector is the growth in local content, i.e. the share of Polish suppliers. It has to be stressed that a sound offshore industry requires an installation port — therefore, its construction on the Polish coast is crucial. However, next to local content, the availability of vessels is increasingly important. Correct information about the availability of vessels required by the offshore wind energy sector is crucial to developers and ship operators to prepare for new challenges,” emphasized Piotr Czopek, Regulatory Director, Polish Wind Energy Association.
The current substantial offshore market growth rate will accelerate, in particular at the end of the decade. Globally, the 57 GW of installed capacity in 2021 is to increase more than 5-fold, to 316 GW by 2030. Growth will be mostly powered by Europe, with 50% of global offshore wind installed capacity located there by 2030.
The availability of installation and maintenance fleet is one of the key challenges along the way to a strong and stable offshore wind sector, both in Poland and the Baltic Sea. The “Offshore wind vessel availability until 2030: Baltic Sea and Polish perspective” report is a detailed analysis of demand for and supply of installation vessels and other types of ships required to implement offshore wind farm projects.
The publication, launched during 2022 PWEA Conference in Serock, is a starting point for further discussion on the need to build a strong, European industry, necessary to effectively achieve the targets set for the offsore wind sector.
Meeting the recently announced, European targets will require an unprecedented increase in the number of new installations, with most of the new capacity commissioned at the end of the current decade. Capacity expected to be installed in 2029 may exceed the total capacity installed by 2021 (28 GW). Installation rates will be very high also in the Baltic Sea. By 2030, the total volume is to reach approximately 35 GW (an increase from 2.8 GW in 2021), with rapid acceleration in 2026–2030.
The challenges and bottlenecks related to the insufficient number of installation vessels, discussed in the PWEA and WindEurope report, should integrate all entities involved in the development of the offshore wind energy sector at the European level. At the national level, they should form the starting point for further discussion on the need to build a Polish installation fleet.
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Report: Offshore wind vessel availability until 2030: Baltic Sea and Polish perspective
