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The installation of 100 foundations the installation of the Bałtyk 2 and Bałtyk 3 offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea was completed after a four-month campaign carried out by Heerema Marine Contractors for the joint venture formed by Equinor and Polenergia. During the work, two support structures for the offshore substations were also installed. With this phase completed, the projects are moving towards the next planned construction operations before starting electricity generation.
The Thialf completes the installation of 100 foundations
To carry out the campaign, Heerema deployed the semi-submersible crane vessel Thialf along with a fleet of approximately 35 support vessels. The operation enabled the placement 100 monopiles and 100 transition pieces components that will serve as the basis for the wind turbines of both parks were also installed, as well as two support structures for the future marine substations.
Furthermore, during the peak period, approximately 15 vessels operated simultaneously, the fleet handled tasks such as transport, maritime coordination, noise mitigation, personnel transfer, grouting and bolting, along with other offshore activities. The deployment required coordinating shipyards, ports, maritime contractors, and various work fronts in the Baltic Sea heerema indicated that the campaign ended within the established timeframe for the project.
Heerema will return to the Baltic Sea to install the substations
Furthermore, Heerema’s work on the projects is not yet finished; the company plans to return to the Baltic Sea during the winter to install the superstructure of the Bałtyk 2 marine substation subsequently, the installation of the superstructure corresponding to the substation of Baltic 3 it is scheduled for the summer of 2027. These facilities will be part of the electrical infrastructure needed to manage the energy produced by the wind turbines before its transmission to the grid.
Sif and Smulders supply the park structures
Regarding the supply chain, the monopiles and transition pieces were provided by Sif y Smulders through a contract signed with the developer in 2024, also, Property smulders’ subsidiary is responsible for the design and construction of the two offshore substations associated with the wind farms. The involvement of these companies is part of a supply chain that must coordinate the manufacturing, transport, and installation of large structures before the wind turbines are assembled.
Bałtyk 2 and 3 will have 100 Siemens Gamesa wind turbines
The two parks are located opposite the Polish coast of the Baltic Sea, Bałtyk 2 is situated approximately 37 kilometers from the coast, while Bałtyk 3 is located about 22 kilometers, near Ustka and Łeba, together they will incorporate 100 Siemens Gamesa SG 14-236 DD wind turbines each with a capacity of 14.4 MW. The configuration will allow a combined capacity of 1.44 GW of offshore wind energy, making the installation of the foundations a key stage to pave the way for the subsequent assembly of the turbines.
The parks are expected to generate electricity from 2027 onwards
Finally, the project schedule anticipates that Bałtyk 2 and 3 will begin producing electricity during 2027 full operation is scheduled to begin 2028 once the remaining phases of construction, equipment installation, and commissioning are complete, and with all 100 foundations in place, the offshore development now moves into new construction stages before the Siemens Gamesa wind turbines begin generating energy in the Baltic Sea.
Source: Offshore Wind
Photo: Shutterstock
