Poland’s Steel Industry Strengthens the Winds of Change

In a significant development for Poland’s green energy journey, energy giants PGE and Ørsted have signed a final agreement with Grupa Przemysłowa Baltic to manufacture key steel components for the Baltica 2 offshore wind farm. These secondary steel elements, boat landings and anode cages, may appear auxiliary, but they are critical to the wind farm’s foundation stability and longevity. The agreement signals not only the technical maturity of Polish manufacturers but also a broader strategy to localize the clean energy supply chain.

Homegrown Innovation: Baltic Steel Heads Offshore

The steel structures will be produced at Grupa Przemysłowa Baltic’s manufacturing facility in Gdańsk, a maritime hub steeped in industrial heritage. The facility is part of the Baltic Industrial Group, a Polish holding owned by the Industrial Development Agency. This includes the iconic Gdańsk Shipyard, Energomontaż Północ-Gdynia, and Baltic Operator. Over recent years, these entities have evolved into key players in producing high-precision steel elements for both onshore and offshore renewable projects.

The boat landings allow for safe personnel transfer from service vessels to the wind turbines, while the anode cages protect the submerged foundation structures from corrosion through cathodic protection. Together, these structures play a vital role in the resilience and operational safety of offshore assets.

Securing Steel Sinews for Sustainability

The latest contract marks the final phase of what industry experts call "secondary steel" provisioning, components that support core structures such as turbine foundations and platforms. Though less visible than turbine blades or substations, these elements provide essential stability to offshore wind operations, particularly in the rough conditions of the Baltic Sea. Their precision fabrication is crucial to meet international durability and safety standards.

The contract follows earlier agreements covering major equipment like turbines, foundations, subsea cables, and offshore substations. With this addition, all key components for Baltica 2 have now been sourced and contracted, enabling full-scale construction to proceed.

Strategic Autonomy in Poland’s Green Energy Supply Chain

Bartosz Fedurek, CEO of PGE Baltica, emphasized the contract’s significance in building a robust Polish offshore wind ecosystem. “This is another important step in our strategy to strengthen the domestic supply chain,” Fedurek stated. “It is our goal to ensure that as much of the investment value of offshore wind projects as possible stays within Poland, creating jobs, developing local technology, and increasing industrial self-sufficiency.”

Ulrik Lange, Vice President and Managing Director of the Baltica 2 project at Ørsted, also applauded the deal. “Polish companies like Grupa Przemysłowa Baltic demonstrate that local firms can meet world-class technical standards. Their innovation and competitiveness make them integral partners in Europe’s offshore future.”

Baltica 2: Poland’s Wind-Powered Beacon

The Baltica 2 offshore wind farm, a flagship renewable energy initiative in the Baltic Sea, is expected to host 107 wind turbines and deliver 1.5 GW of installed capacity, enough to power up to 2.4 million Polish households. Located roughly 40 kilometers off the Polish coast, the project is part of the larger Baltica Offshore Wind Farm complex, being developed jointly by PGE and Ørsted.

Seabed preparation work is set to begin shortly, following a year of land-based grid construction in the Choczewo municipality. The partners have already secured building permits and finalized all major installation-related agreements. By 2030, Baltica 2 is expected to be fully operational, contributing significantly to Poland’s commitment to reduce CO₂ emissions and diversify its energy mix.

Steel Diplomacy: Domestic Value, Global Ambition

Adam Kowalski, CEO of Grupa Przemysłowa Baltic, noted that the contract is more than a commercial deal, it is a national milestone. “Our participation in Baltica 2 confirms that Polish manufacturers are ready to deliver advanced infrastructure for offshore wind energy. These structures produced in Gdańsk will not only support the energy transition but also highlight Poland’s engineering strength on the European stage.”

The Baltic Industrial Group has become a cornerstone of this transformation. It has supplied external platforms and complex steel frameworks for other offshore ventures, cementing its reputation in the global renewable supply chain. The current contract is seen as a catalyst to elevate its capabilities further, ensuring readiness for upcoming wind farm developments in the Polish and broader Baltic region.

Key Takeaways:

• PGE and Ørsted signed a final contract with Grupa Przemysłowa Baltic to manufacture secondary steel structures like boat landings and anode cages for the 1.5 GW Baltica 2 offshore wind farm.

• The components will be produced in Gdańsk by the Baltic Industrial Group, reinforcing Poland’s ambition to localize and strengthen its renewable energy supply chain.

• Baltica 2 will feature 107 turbines, supporting Poland’s energy transition and reducing national CO₂ emissions by introducing large-scale offshore wind power.