Poland’s Industrial Development Agency (ARP) has broken ground together with its partners, Spain’s GRI Renewable Industries and Poland-based Baltic Towers, on a new offshore wind tower factory in Gdansk, northern Poland.
The plant will annually produce over 150 towers designed for the largest planned wind turbines with a 15MW capacity and is likely to consume substantial steel tonnages. Its commissioning is scheduled for mid-2025.
“Offshore wind is currently one of the fastest growing energy sectors. The dynamic growth driven by European energy policy, the energy transformation processes being implemented in Poland, and the adopted act on the promotion of electricity generation by offshore wind farms all aim to significantly increase the share of renewable energy in energy generation,” ARP says in note seen by Kallanish. “Such conditions justify the investment decisions, which not only meet market demand, but also contribute to increasing energy security in Poland and Europe.”
Poland’s Supreme Audit Office said last year Polish authorities have taken insufficient action on developing Poland’s offshore wind power sector (see Kallanish passim). Offshore wind power is a new sector in Poland that is touted to see significant investment in the coming years and eventually supply power to the national grid. Construction of the required infrastructure will consume substantial steel tonnages.
A year prior, Polish steelmakers identified onshore wind power as the only viable power source for steelmaking, amid spiralling traditional energy costs. This will also likely extend to offshore power once it is developed.
Wood Mackenzie said last year growth in the offshore wind market is set to explode, with wind tower tonnage getting heavier, meaning more demand for steel. Almost $1 trillion is predicted to flow into the market over the next decade. By 2031, the average tower will be nearly three times heavier in comparison to a decade before. Offshore wind towers will need nearly 500% more steel in 2031 compared to 2022 demand levels.
Adam Smith Poland