Equinor and Polenergia have initiated a new offshore construction phase with the installation of the first foundations of the offshore wind farms Bałtyk 2 and Bałtyk 3, located in the Baltic Sea.
The first twelve sets of monopiles and transition pieces have been safely installed, marking the start of the offshore campaign for these strategic projects in Poland.
The operation is being carried out by Thialf, one of the world’s largest heavy-lift vessels, operated by Heerema Marine Contractors.
Vessel Thialf Leads Marine Installation
Each steel monopile measures between 50 and 70 meters in length. During the maneuver, the structure is lifted from a horizontal to a vertical position and then precisely lowered to the seabed.
Subsequently, a transition piece approximately 17 meters in height is placed on each monopile.
These structures, recognizable by their yellow color above the waterline, constitute the first permanent constructions of the Bałtyk 2 and 3 wind farms. Together, they will serve as the foundation for the offshore wind turbines, whose installation is scheduled for 2027.
Equinor: More Than a Dozen Vessels Participate
The installation campaign requires precise coordination of maritime operations, weather windows, port logistics, and work sequences between vessels.
More than a dozen vessels are participating in the current phase, operating simultaneously, including transport, installation, logistics, and maritime support units.
The work is supported by ports in Poland and other European countries. The operations and maintenance base in Łeba also plays a key role as a support center for offshore construction activities and as a maritime coordination point.
Environmental Monitoring During Installation
During the campaign, Equinor and Polenergia apply environmental measures to reduce the impact of marine activities. Marine mammal monitoring is conducted before each installation, including acoustic monitoring with specialized detectors.
If no marine fauna presence is detected in the area, a soft-start procedure is initiated to allow mammals to move away from the work zone.
Additionally, during foundation installation, a bubble curtain is deployed around each structure to reduce underwater noise.
Michał Jerzy Kołodziejczyk, Equinor’s Country Manager in Poland, emphasized that the offshore installation of Bałtyk 2 and 3 has been successfully launched.
Energy for Two Million Households
Adam Purwin, Chief Executive Officer of Polenergia, noted that Poland’s energy security is increasingly being built around the Baltic Sea.
For the executive, offshore wind energy is entering a stage of tangible progress, while Bałtyk 2 and 3 are beginning to consolidate as strategically important infrastructure for the country.
When fully operational, the Bałtyk 2 and 3 wind farms will have a combined capacity of 1,440 MW, sufficient to supply renewable electricity to approximately two million households.
The projects are expected to deliver their first energy in 2027 and achieve full commercial operation in 2028.
Source and photos: https://baltyk123.pl/