Wind turbine generator factory in Opole is just one example of how facilities manufacturing wind turbine components may contribute to economic growth in Poland. The development of local supply chain was the leading theme of a study visit for journalists and politicians to Generator Produkcja Opole plant, accompanied by external session of the parliamentary team. Unfortunately, in Poland blocked onshore wind development results in the lack of development perspectives for the industry.

Wind farm investments constitute one of the pillars of the planned transition of the Polish power system. One of key challenges for Polish energy transition based on wind energy is local content, i.e. the development and implementation of solutions enabling retention of the highest possible investment amount in the national economy, development of supply chain and export of Polish enterprises and creation of new jobs.

Currently in Poland there are approximately 1,000 companies forming production base for wind farm components. This is the largest supply chain for the power sector in Poland. The support for the Polish companies and increase in their share in the onshore wind supply chain is one of the key challenges faced by the Polish economy.

The meeting at the Generator Produkcja Opole plant, organised by Enercon and the Polish Wind Energy Association, was dedicated to manufacture of components for onshore wind turbines. Journalists and MPs visited the power generator plant together with assembly and final testing departments.

“Onshore wind development in Poland has a substantial impact on GDP, labour market and prospects for production facilities. Implementation of new wind projects will only increase the activity of companies throughout the supply chain. The example of the Opole factory demonstrates how well a plant related to the RES industry may operate in Poland — and strategic documents of the state show that the number of such sources will only increase,” emphasized Janusz Gajowiecki, President of the Polish Wind Energy Association.

The Generator Produkcja Opole plant is owned by Enercon and produces generators with a capacity of up to 5.5 MW since 2016. Currently, all generators manufactured by GPO are exported — to Vietnam as well as North and South America. Key achievements of GPO include not only power generators produced by the Company, but also latest technologies they include, as well as contribution to the development of the green energy sector.

The study visit to Opole was linked with an external session of the Parliamentary Electromobility and Self-Consumer Energy Development Team, chaired by Grzegorz Gaża. MPs actively participated in the tour of the plant and technical presentations dedicated to the manufacture of particular elements of the generator and its functions. The visit to the power generator plant was a perfect opportunity to integrate business, representatives of the Polish parliament, authorities of the City of Opole and journalists, as well as to promote the Opole region as a location of innovative investments.