Baltica 2 is one of two – next to Baltica 3 – stages of the offshore wind farm Baltica. PGE and Orsted plan to complete the construction of the Baltica 2 stage with a capacity of approx. 1.5 GW by the end of 2027, and the Baltica 3 stage with a capacity of approx. 1 GW – by 2030.
Connecting land with water
“PGE and Ørsted signed another agreement regarding power evacuation for the Baltica 2 project. The agreement covers the execution of a directional drilling under the beach necessary to lay 275 kV cable lines and the construction of the so-called connection joints, i.e. stations connecting marine cable lines with land ones. The work will be carried out by a consortium of Polish companies – ROMGOS Gwiazdowski and ZRB Janicki” – PGE Group and Orsted announced in a joint statement sent on Wednesday.
As explained, directional drilling will allow four subsea export cables to be routed through four cable conduits under the beach towards an onshore transformer station.
“The offshore section of the cable lines connects to the onshore section on land. Crossing the coastline, which will make it possible to connect the sea section of the cables with the land section, will be carried out using trenchless technology horizontal directional drilling (HDD – Horizontal Directional Drilling). This is the least invasive method for installing cable lines. It does not require – as in the case of traditional open excavation – closing part of the beach for the duration of construction works. This is a safe method, carried out at a considerable depth and allows for the preservation of the tourist and natural values of the area where the work will be performed,” the information said.
PGE and Orsted Polska indicated that directional drilling will allow four subsea export cables to be routed through four cable channels under the beach towards an onshore transformer station.
“Each of the channels will be approximately 1.2 km long and have an external diameter of approximately 90 cm. Cable lines throughout the entire section will be laid in the ground, in separate protective pipes. The contractors will provide full support of the vessels to carry out this task. The cable installation itself will be carried out under a separate contract,” the information said.
As explained, at the point of connection of both sections of cable lines on land, the contractor will build four underground lines positions of connection joints (TJB – Transition Joint Bay).
Choczewo is waiting for infrastructure
“The works will be carried out in the town of Lubiatowo in the commune Choczewo, in Wejherowo County. PGE and Ørsted have already contracted all the necessary components for the Baltica 2 offshore wind farm, as well as signed contracts for the installation of foundations, turbines and cables. The partners also selected the general contractor for the onshore connection infrastructure. They also obtained all permits necessary to start construction works. The last step before construction begins will be taken by investors final investment decision (FID)” – inform the PGE Group and Orsted Polska.
The information emphasizes that Baltica 2 and Baltica 3 will create the Baltica offshore wind farm with a capacity of 2.5 GW, which will provide green energy to almost 4 million households in Poland. (PAP)
author: Dariusz Sokolnik
