The BC-Wind Project is an offshore wind energy development led by Ocean Winds, a company established through a joint venture between EDP Renewables and ENGIE.
The project is located within Poland’s designated sector of the Baltic Sea and is designed to contribute to the region’s offshore wind capacity. It supports national energy infrastructure objectives and is part of a broader effort to transition towards renewable energy sources.
Project Location Details
The BC-Wind offshore wind farm is situated approximately 23km north of the coastal municipalities of Krokowa and Choczewo. Both municipalities are located within the Pomeranian Province of northern Poland. The wind farm spans two adjacent offshore sites situated within the Polish Exclusive Economic Zone in the Baltic Sea. The combined area of the sites is approximately 90.94km2.
The seabed in this region features water depths ranging from 35 to 60m. These depths allow for the deployment of offshore wind turbine foundations. The environmental and oceanographic characteristics of the area were evaluated through a series of marine surveys conducted in earlier stages of the project.
The electricity produced by the offshore wind farm is expected to reach an output level sufficient to meet the annual consumption needs of approximately 488,000 homes in Poland. This estimation is based on projected capacity and average household electricity usage figures.
BC-Wind Project Capacity and Infrastructure
The planned total installed capacity of the BC-Wind offshore wind project is up to 500MW. The wind farm will include the installation of up to 31 offshore wind turbines. Each turbine will have a rated capacity of no less than 13MW. These turbines will be installed on monopile foundations driven into the seabed.
Electricity generated by the turbines will be collected via an underwater cable network. This subsea electrical system will connect the turbines to an offshore substation, where the power will be aggregated and transmitted.
From there, a subsea export cable will transport the electricity to an onshore substation located within the administrative boundaries of the Choczewo municipality. The onshore substation will connect the generated electricity to the Polish national power grid.
Development Timeline
Development of the BC-Wind Project began with the issuance of location permits for two sites, referred to as B-Wind and C-Wind, in 2012 and 2013. In 2020, the Polish Power Grid provided the project with grid connection conditions. A grid connection agreement was formally signed in March 2021.
The Polish Energy Regulatory Office awarded the project a 25-year Contract for Difference (CfD) in June 2021. The project secured environmental approval for offshore construction in 2022. Offshore geophysical and geotechnical investigations were conducted and completed by the beginning of 2024.
A final investment decision and the acquisition of required construction permits are expected to occur between 2024 and 2025. The start of electricity generation is scheduled for 2028.
BC-Wind Project Ownership and Financing
Ocean Winds holds complete ownership of the BC-Wind Project. The 25-year Contract for Difference granted by the Polish Energy Regulatory Office offers a predictable revenue mechanism. Ocean Winds assumes full responsibility for the project’s financing, development, construction oversight, and long-term operations.
Technology and Equipment
The BC-Wind Project incorporates offshore wind turbines with individual rated capacities starting at 13 megawatts. These turbines will be mounted on monopile foundations. The offshore substation, which will weigh approximately 2,000 tonnes, will contain equipment for power collection and transmission. Cadeler’s O-class installation vessel is reserved to transport and install the turbines at sea.
Environmental Assessments
Environmental studies were carried out in advance of construction. These assessments evaluated potential impacts on marine life, avian species, and coastal areas. Mitigation measures were included in the project’s development process. Formal environmental approvals were issued in 2022.
Contractors Involved
CRIST Offshore, a company based in Poland, will handle the engineering, construction, and commissioning of the offshore substation. The substation will be built at the CRIST shipyard in Gdynia. Approximately 400 workers are expected to be involved in these construction activities.
Cadeler is contracted to provide installation services for the wind turbine generators using one of its specialised vessels, with installation scheduled for completion by 2028.
In October 2024, Ocean Winds entered into an agreement with Bureau Veritas Polska for the certification of the BC-Wind offshore wind farm project.
