Baltic West, the second offshore wind farm being developed by ORLEN Neptun, has entered another stage of development. The launch of a certified wind measurement campaign brings the project closer to participation in the second-phase offshore wind support auction scheduled for 2027.

The campaign is being carried out by Partrac, a consultancy specialising in metocean and seabed surveys and part of the Venterra Group. It uses advanced floating buoys equipped with V-LiDAR systems.

Two buoys fitted with V-LiDAR systems will be deployed across the planned offshore wind farm site to collect comprehensive, certified wind data. The technology is intended to provide accurate, independently verified measurements needed for further project development. It was selected for the quality and reliability of the data it provides, as well as its ability to reduce risks associated with traditional offshore measurement methods. The campaign will comply with applicable health, safety and environmental requirements.

“The start of the wind measurement campaign is another key step towards collecting the full set of data needed to develop the financial model for Baltic West. It will allow us to base further decisions on actual, verified measurements rather than assumptions or estimates, both in the context of the auction and the future financing process,” said Marcin Sowiński, Baltic West Project Director.

The campaign is designed to gather wind data needed to optimise turbine positioning and maximise electricity generation. The results will also help prepare the project for the offshore wind auction scheduled for 2027. A successful bid would qualify the project for support under a two-way contract for difference (CfD), providing a predictable revenue stream and stable investment conditions for up to 25 years.

The scope of the work has also been extended to cover the Baltic East project, supporting the parallel development of both offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea. Direct measurements at the Baltic East site will be carried out using one V-LiDAR buoy. The local data is expected to reduce project risks and help demonstrate the project's reliability during the financing process.

The campaign is another step in the development of ORLEN Neptun’s offshore wind portfolio. Its implementation in line with the project schedule reflects the ORLEN Group’s commitment to investments aimed at expanding domestic power generation capacity and strengthening the country’s energy security.

Baltic West is another offshore wind farm being developed by ORLEN Neptun as part of Poland’s second phase of offshore wind development. Four sites located on the Oder Bank are expected to have a combined installed capacity of approximately 4 GW, enough to generate electricity for more than five million Polish households. Under the current schedule, the first electricity from Baltic West is expected in 2034 or later.

At the same time, work is continuing on Baltic East, the most advanced project in the portfolio, with a planned capacity of 900 MW. Pre-development and design work is under way, covering technical specifications and the process of obtaining construction permits. The wind farm has the potential to supply electricity to more than one million households.

Both Baltic West and Baltic East are being developed by ORLEN Neptun, the ORLEN Group’s centre of expertise for offshore wind energy. The company’s portfolio also includes Poland’s first offshore wind installation terminal, Świnoujście Offshore Terminal.

Photo: GospodarkaMorska.pl