PKN Orlen has completed the first onshore connection for the Baltic Power wind farm in Poland – a significant step in the development of the 1.2GW project.
The initial phase ensures the offshore wind farm’s connectivity to the onshore substation, setting a precedent for large-scale horizontal directional drilling (HDD) technology usage in Poland.
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The first of four directional drills under the Polish coastline, beach and seabed has been successfully executed without impacting ecologically sensitive areas.
The project, a joint venture with Northland Power, utilises HDD technology to create a 1.4km tunnel containing the power transmission cables needed to connect the offshore wind farm to the onshore infrastructure.
The completed section is the first of four planned underground corridors, each designed to accommodate cables with a diameter of 30cm.
This development represents the first extensive application of HDD technology within the country.
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By GlobalDataPart of the drilling operation was conducted offshore, involving divers and a jack-up rig to finalise the underwater segment. Once all four drills are completed, more than 8,000m3 of spoil will have been extracted.
Studies commissioned by Baltic Power have indicated that the excavated sand is uncontaminated and can be repurposed for beach restoration projects, potentially aiding in the repair of storm damage.
The construction of the onshore substation is progressing 8km from the drilling site, in Osieki Lęborskie,
This facility, along with the underground cable connection, will play a crucial role in transferring energy from the Baltic Power wind farm to the National Power Grid.
PKN Orlen has highlighted that the power line to the substation will also be installed underground to minimise environmental disruption.
The onshore substation’s construction is currently 40% complete, with an expected full completion date in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Baltic Power management board member Jarosław Broda stated: “Progress on Baltic Power, the largest renewable energy project in our region, is on schedule and already well advanced.
“We have completed the first and are carrying out further drilling for submarine cables connecting offshore substations to land.
“This is the first project of its kind in Poland and is unique compared to other offshore wind projects carried out in Europe.”
In May 2023, Orlen and Northland Power began construction of the transmission infrastructure for the Baltic Power offshore wind farm in Poland.
