Goal 8 – Decent work and economic growth

More than 150 submissions, dozens of engaged families, and meaningful conversations based on facts about renewable energy sources—this is what the first edition of the Family Academy of Renewable Energy Facts competition looked like. The initiative was organised by Polenergia as part of its educational programme Play Green with Us!®, in partnership with the Ogarnij Inżynierię Foundation and MATERIALITY. The awards ceremony took place on 16 June at the Żuromin Cultural Centre.

Life and health are fundamental values that the Polenergia Group places at the highest priority. As an active and responsible neighbor, Polenergia identifies the needs of local communities in this area and provides financial support for initiatives addressing those needs.

A new publication entitled Education for Sustainable Development: Offshore Wind Energy has been released. It is the result of the work of participants of postgraduate studies bearing the same title, delivered at the University of Gdańsk by the Centre for Sustainable Development.

In the Polenergia Group, the safety of employees and all individuals involved in the Group’s projects is treated as a top priority. In 2024, Polenergia organized training exercises with the State Fire Service (PSP) and Volunteer Fire Service (OSP). The purpose of these exercises was to familiarize firefighters with the hazards encountered during high-altitude rescue operations and to enhance the principles of using specialized equipment.

1400 students from seven secondary schools in regions related to the Baltic offshore wind farm projects took part in the next, third edition of “One sea, many benefits. Offshore wind energy in my region” project. The organizers were investors – Polenergia and Equinor. The project introduces students to the offshore sector and the new career opportunities it creates.

Dozens of Polish companies interested in participating in the implementation of the Bałtyk 2 and Bałtyk 3 offshore wind farms took part in the Supplier’s Day held in Gdansk. The event was organized by Equinor and Polenergia, which jointly implement the Bałtyk offshore wind farm projects, as well as major suppliers of inter-array and export cables. The purpose of the Supplier’s Day is to get Polish contractors into the offshore wind market and integrate them into the global supply chain.

On September 7th and 8th, the Harvest Festival of the Redzikowo Commune and the Słupsk County took place in Swołowo. The stand of Equinor and Polenergia was widely popular among the region’s residents. The companies once again had the opportunity to introduce the local community to offshore wind energy.

“Baltic Sea. Sea of Green Energy” is the first exhibition in Poland dedicated to offshore wind energy. The exhibition was created at the Maritime Culture Center of the National Maritime Museum in Gdańsk. Behind the realization of the new tourist attraction located in the very center of the Old Town are Equinor and Polenergia – energy companies that are jointly developing three wind farms in the Baltic Sea with a total capacity of up to 3,000 MW.

Nearly 3000 pupils from 11 primary schools took part in an educational project run by Equinor and Polenergia in the Słupsk region. The aim of the investors’ campaign is to spread knowledge about offshore wind energy and the resulting benefits for the climate and the region among the youngest. Equinor and Polenergia jointly develop three wind farms in the Baltic Sea with a total capacity of up to 3,000 MW.

From April 14th to 16th, the largest hydrogen fair in Poland, H2Poland, took place in Poznań.

The construction of the operation and maintenance base for the Bałtyk II and Bałtyk III offshore wind farms will begin in Łeba later this year, employing around 100 specialists. Employment prospects and work on the construction of the base and offshore wind farms were discussed by representatives of investors at a meeting with the residents of Łeba and the surrounding area on March 19th.

Almost 120 works on offshore wind energy were created as part of an art competition organized by Equinor and Polenergia. The competition was the culmination of the education campaign “One sea, many benefits. Offshore wind energy in my region”, which was attended by almost 1500 students from six primary schools in the Słupsk region. The final of the competition with prizes took place in the Lądowisko Kultury in Redzikowo near Słupsk.

Polenergia, together with other developers, has undertaken an inspiring initiative that heralds a new era in occupational health and safety in offshore wind energy in Poland. Polenergia has officially announced its commitment to raise occupational health and safety standards in the dynamically developing new renewable energy sector.

Construction permits for the Baltic II and Baltic III offshore wind farms, and further preparing the Baltic I farm project for auction are the most important milestones Equinor and Polenergia expect in 2024. The last 12 months have brought the implementation of the Baltic projects much closer. Three wind farms with a total capacity of 3 GW will supply more than 4 million households with renewable energy.

Almost one and a half thousand children from six primary schools in the Słupsk region take part in the educational project “One sea, many benefits. Offshore wind energy in my region”. The organizers – Equinor and Polenergia – have planned interactive classes and an art competition with attractive prizes in schools.

Polenergia puts the safety of its employees at the top of its agenda, which is why it places great emphasis on the verification and continuous development of knowledge in this area.

The pace of energy transformation in Poland and the impact of investments in offshore wind farms on it were the main topics of the meeting with the inhabitants of the Słupsk Commune. Its participants also asked about the Baltic II and Baltic III projects, including the route of the cable connecting the sea and land parts of offshore farms. It was another information meeting organized by Equinor and Polenergia as part of consultations and dialogue with the local community.

The “Baltic Offshore Wind Farm Information Centre” has started its operations in Łeba. It is the first year-round information and educational point on offshore wind energy in Poland. One of its most important tasks is to spread knowledge about joint projects implemented in the Baltic Sea by Equinor and Polenergia. The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of the Polish Parliament, provincial and local authorities and activists of local organizations.

The presence of Equinor and Polenergia in municipalities where offshore wind farm projects will be implemented is expected to last for years. “That’s why we try to be with the local community as often and as closely as possible. Our stand at the Harvest Festival of the Słupsk Commune was visited by hundreds of residents – say representatives of the companies. Equinor and Polenergia are already permanent guests in the life of the community of the Słupsk region.

Polish companies are an extremely important link in our supply chain. We want there to be as many such cells as possible,” say representatives of Equinor and Polenergia. Investors, who jointly implement offshore wind farm projects in the Baltic Sea, organized the second edition of the Supplier’s Day for domestic entrepreneurs. The event, which took place on World Wind Day in Łódź, was attended by about 200 representatives of Polish companies.

Residents of Ustka asked about the benefits for Pomerania, completed surveys of the seabed, environmental protection measures and educational opportunities in the growing offshore wind industry during a meeting with representatives of Equinor and Polenergia.  This was another meeting as part of the dialogue conducted by the companies with the local community.

Several thousand people – primary and high school students – visited the Equinor and Polenergia stand at the first EDU Offshore Wind Career Fair, held in Gdansk on March 14-15. This is a good sign, proving that the offshore wind industry and our Bałtyk projects can be an attractive place for them to work.

The level of interest of Polish companies in participating in the development of offshore wind energy in the Baltic Sea exceeded our wildest expectations. Together with Equinor and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, we organized the Suppliers’ Day in Gdańsk for domestic entrepreneurs. More than 100 entrepreneurs responded to the invitation to participate in this event.

The Polenergia Group, together with Equinor, Rumia Municipality and Rumia Invest Park signed a Letter of Intent on the plan to cooperate as part of the Pomerania Offshore Wind Energy Competence Centre. The parties declare their desire to reinforce the labour market necessary for efficient development of wind energy at the Baltic Sea.

By 2030, wind farms with a capacity of nearly 6 GW are to be built in the Baltic Sea. In the next 10 years, this capacity will increase to 11 GW. Among the planned investments are three projects carried out jointly by Poland Polenergia and Norway Equinor: MFW Bałtyk I, MFW Bałtyk II and MFW Bałtyk III. The total capacity of these three projects is 3 GW, which will allow to supply up to 4 million Polish households with renewable and clean energy per year.

Tens of thousands of specialists will be employed in offshore wind farm projects in the Baltic Sea. Employers who are looking for qualified staff presented students with a wide range of professional opportunities during the Offshore Career Day 2022 Catch the Big Fish! The stand of Polenergia and Equinor was visited by several hundred people interested in a career offshore.