Equinor and Polenergia Closer to Building Wind Farms in the Baltic Sea. Offshore Work to Begin Soon
- A submarine robot and a specialized plow will remove boulders from the seabed that have been located along the route of the export cables.
- Equinor and Polenergia have extended their agreements regarding the scope of work on the Bałtyk 2 and Bałtyk 3 projects.
- According to the plan, the first energy from farms in the Baltic Sea will flow into the grid in 2027.
Equinor and Polenergia have signed an annex to the agreements with the consortium of Jan De Nul Group and Hellenic Cables, expanding the scope of cooperation on the Bałtyk 2 and Bałtyk 3 projects.
Under the annexes, the general contractor of the order, together with Helix Robotics Solutions Limited - as a subcontractor, will clear the route of boulders before installing the submarine power cables.
"Work on the Bałtyk 2 and Bałtyk 3 offshore wind farm projects is progressing according to schedule. Drilling has begun at the point where the submarine export cables will land. Construction of a service base in Łeba, which will service both farms, is also underway," the release reads.
In parallel, preparations are underway for offshore work. Expanding their cooperation with the main contractor for the export cables, Equinor and Polenergia have secured a subcontractor who will move boulders from the cable's route and prepare the seabed for the installation of the submarine cables.
ROV grabber moves sea rocks to safetyThe work will involve moving large boulders using an ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) . The ROV is a device attached to the vehicle that allows it to lift objects and boulders underwater and place them in a safe location.
A plow will also be used to remove smaller boulders. Helix Robotics Solutions, which also operates the unique i-Plough, will be responsible for this project.
Ensuring the availability of this unit and its contracting for the Bałtyk 2 and 3 projects was crucial for the successful implementation of installation work scheduled for next year.
According to the plan, the first electricity will flow from offshore wind farms in 2027.Clearing the cable route using a grab and subsea plough is an efficient way to remove boulders that could compromise the safe installation of cables.
The Bałtyk 2 and Bałtyk 3 offshore wind farms will be approximately 37 and 22 km from shore, respectively. They will consist of 100 modern wind turbines with a total generating capacity of approximately 1,440 MW.
The first energy from the farms is expected to flow into the grid in 2027 , and the commercial phase of use will begin in 2028.
Journalist, graduate of political science at the Faculty of Law and Administration of the Jagiellonian University. Associated with the media for over 40 years. After graduating in 1982, he worked on the editorial staff of "Gazeta Krakowska" and "Kurier Polski." A member of the editorial team of "Przegląd Techniczny." He has published articles in "Student," "Przekrój," and "Życie Literackie." Since the economic and political transformation, he has been associated with Reuters as a correspondent in Krakow for over 20 years. For the next three years, he conducted practical classes with students at the Institute of Journalism, Media, and Social Communication of the Jagiellonian University. Since December 2021, he has joined the PTWP Group and works for the WNP.PL portal. His main professional interests include economics and politics at the global level and the participation of Polish business in this field, particularly companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. Winner of the "Ostra Pióra" award, granted for "spreading economic education" by the BCC, as well as the Golden Pear - a journalistic award of the Małopolska Branch of the Association of Journalists of the Republic of Poland.
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