New investors are applying for a permit to build power plants in the Polish Baltic Sea zone. So far, seven projects have been taken into account by Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne – two of them have connection agreements and at the beginning of this year, five of them received technical connection conditions (WTP). PGE, Polenergia, PKN Orlen, Baltic Trade and Invest have location permits.
The Ministry of Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation received 24 applications for permits to erect and exploit artificial islands, structures and equipment for offshore wind farms (the so-called PSZW).
However, the energy potential of the Baltic Sea may not be fully exploited. The projects of Polenergy, PGE and PKN Orlen have not yet passed the stage of seabed exploration for foundations of farms.
The Ministry initiated proceedings concerning 14 applications for the issuance of the PSZW but did not complete them. These proceedings have not been completed due to the ongoing works on the spatial development plan of the Polish maritime areas. This is allowed under Article 23(8) of the Act on maritime areas.
The Ministry also received 10 applications in response to announcements published in the Public Information Bulletin (BIP). When the investor applies for the PSZW in the selected sea area, the Ministry in the BIP announces the possibility of submitting further applications for this area. These additional 10 applications are now pending.
The question of legally valid PSZW is raised from the earlier applications, which are not always dynamically and effectively developed, but their potential capacities have been taken into account in the draft Energy Policy of Poland. Out of 13 permits issued in 2012, 9 were paid for. Those that have not been paid for, are no longer valid or are under consideration.