The 1.2-gigawatt wind farm in the Baltic Sea remains under construction and is scheduled to be completed in the autumn. However, it has already started generating electricity, which is being transmitted to the newly completed Choczewo Substation in northern Poland.
Speaking at the site last week, Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the major Baltic Power project as a key element of Poland's energy security and independence.
'Energy is as important as weapons': PM
"In these very uncertain times, having multiple sources of energy that are independent of geopolitical turbulence means a great deal," Tusk said, citing Russia's war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East as reminders of the need for secure domestic energy supplies.
"You cannot talk about national security without talking about energy security," he said. "Energy is as important as weapons and the armed forces."
The Baltic Power project is being developed by Polish energy giant Orlen and Canada's Northland Power.
The Choczewo Substation, built by Poland's electricity transmission operator PSE, is designed to connect offshore wind farms to the national power grid.
The 400-kilovolt Choczewo Substation at Osieki Lęborskie in Poland's northern Pomorskie province, forms part of one of Europe's largest offshore wind energy projects, officials say. Photo: PAP/Andrzej Jackowski
The project, financed through Poland's post-pandemic National Recovery Plan, has a price tag of PLN 530 million (EUR 120 million, USD 140 million).
Michał Owczarek has this report.
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