ORLEN Neptun, a subsidiary of the ORLEN Group responsible for developing offshore wind energy, is steadily advancing its portfolio of projects in the Baltic Sea, encompassing both preparatory-phase initiatives and investments already backed by secured support mechanisms. Janusz Bil, CEO of Orlen Neptun, sat with ZielonaGospodarka.pl to discuss supply chains and project sequencing.

The company’s flagship project is Baltic East, which secured approval in Poland’s first offshore wind auction, conducted by the President of the Energy Regulatory Office in December 2025. The project was awarded a Contract for Difference (CfD) at a strike price of PLN 476.88/MWh, providing stable financing conditions and predictable revenue throughout the farm’s operational life. Baltic East envisions the construction of an offshore wind farm with an installed capacity of approximately 1 GW, with commercial energy production planned for 2032. The farm will be located off Choczewo, approximately 22.5 km from the shore, adjacent to the under-construction Baltic Power wind farm (around 1.2 GW), a joint ORLEN–Northland Power venture scheduled to commence operation in 2026.

A key priority for the investor is to attract Polish companies and strengthen the domestic supply chain. Janusz Bil emphasises: “We want investment in offshore wind to benefit the Polish economy and Polish firms. That translates into jobs in Poland, shorter and safer supply chains, and potentially higher cybersecurity. I do not want to specify the exact percentage of local content at this stage, as we are still awaiting precise definitions for calculating it.” Bil notes that the challenge for Polish enterprises is significant, as many have little or no prior experience in the offshore wind sector, though their capabilities will grow with the implementation of successive projects.

Looking ahead, Orlen Neptun’s portfolio also includes four additional offshore projects on the Ławica Odrzańska, collectively referred to as Baltic West, with a total planned capacity of around 4.1 GW. These remain at the preparatory stage, encompassing environmental assessments, design work, and administrative and grid connection processes.

Bil explains that two concessions are held by Orlen Neptun and two by Energa, another ORLEN Group company, though preparatory work is currently being conducted jointly for all projects in view of the 2027 offshore auction. However, he emphasises that it is too early to determine which project will be submitted first, as ongoing marine studies and other preparatory work will inform the sequencing of auction entries.

Meanwhile, ORLEN Group is already advancing Baltic Power (approximately 1.2 GW), the most advanced offshore project under construction, scheduled to begin energy production in 2026. This will mark ORLEN’s first operational step in the offshore wind sector and the first commercial offshore wind farm in Poland.

Overall, ORLEN Group’s offshore portfolio encompasses six projects with a combined potential capacity exceeding 5 GW, forming a cornerstone of its energy transition strategy and the development of low-emission energy sources in Poland.