The main phase of geotechnical surveys is beginning at the site of the planned Baltic Power offshore wind farm in the Polish Baltic Sea and along the project’s connection route.
Twelve vessels will carry out the survey for about 12 to 16 weeks, depending on weather conditions, in the Baltic Sea.
The scope of the survey involves drilling boreholes and sounding to depths of up to several dozen metres at the wind farm area, spanning more than 130 square kilometres.
Similar work is to be carried out along the more than 30-kilometre long export cable route.
The UK’s Gardline is responsible for the wind farm seabed test, while Polish company MEWO is in charge of the measurements along the offshore connection route.
The results will be used to develop the final plan for the location of the wind turbines, their foundations, and the wind farm site and export cable route.
“We want to start construction of the offshore wind farm as early as in 2023. It is a pioneering venture that will not only transform the Polish power system, but will also allow us to gain new capabilities in the area of large-scale zero-emission projects” , said Daniel Obajtek , president of the PKN ORLEN management board.
“Geotechnical surveying is an extremely complex process, involving dozens of high-level professionals and high-tech equipment. Once it is completed, we will be able to develop a detailed technical design that will be optimal for the project’s schedule and economics”.
The geotechnical surveys have been preceded by UXO detection surveys.
Polish PKN Orlen is working on the development of the Baltic Power offshore wind farm in partnership with Northland Power.
Last month, the Baltic Power offshore wind project received a 25-year contract for difference (CfD) from Poland’s Energy Regulatory Office.
The 1.2 GW wind farm has already secured its location permit, signed the grid connection agreement , and filed its environmental permit.
Construction activities are scheduled to start in 2023 with commercial operations expected in 2026.