Dialogue with stakeholders

Polenergia understands and respects the values cherished by all its stakeholders and therefore it builds confidence in the Company through dialog, which is necessary for maintaining good interpersonal and business relationships.

102-40
102-42
102-43

By developing projects and constructing new facilities, the Polenergia Group builds relations with local communities and becomes part of them. The cooperation is based on continuous dialog and mutual engagement. Among the various initiatives supported by the Group are educational, cultural, artistic endeavors, promotion of physical activity, prevention of social exclusion, as well as infrastructural projects.

Responsible preparation of an investment project cannot overlook the key dimension, in which business activity is developed in such a way so as to maximize the positive social, environmental and economic effects, whether direct or indirect, and minimize the negative effects.

Stakeholder relations management strategy in the Offshore Wind Farm development area

In the area of managing stakeholder relations, Polenergia takes an approach dedicated to this topic, in which five programs are implemented. One of them is the Marine Competencies Academy dedicated, among others, to the support for the creation and operation of industry training centers, development of university education, substantive cooperation with universities, including the University of Gdańsk. The Polenergia Group also organizes meetings for stakeholders, including representatives of state and local administration.

With respect to Bałtyk II & III projects, workshops for all key project stakeholders were held in 2021. A dialog was also held with potential suppliers for the above projects to provide information about the Polenergia brand, its projects and their importance, to establish contacts, explain the needs and the manner, in which the Group operates.

Stakeholder Engagement Plans

In the investment project preparation phase, the Polenergia Group creates Stakeholder Engagement Plans to formalize communication with project stakeholders and develop a complaint mechanism.

According to the requirements of the Plans, during the development and operation of each project, Polenergia conducted and continues to conduct internal and external dialog with stakeholders. The internal dialog is based on a routine exchange of information between the Company’s various organizational units and the individuals involved in project development.

Polenergia cares for dialog with Partners and Subcontractors. Before any construction work begins, it conducts training for all companies involved in the construction of the Group’s projects, concerning nature protection, OHS and environmental oversights and the principles of communication with local communities. Consultation centers are organized for local communities in local township offices and at the construction office, where project documentation and contact forms are available along with telephone numbers to the Project Manager, the Site Manager and the Director of the Environmental Protection Department. A transportation plan for oversized construction elements, previously agreed with the local authorities, is always available at a contact point. Such preparation of the construction and requesting that Subcontractors be sensitive to the need for dialog with the local community, the commitment to safety and environmental protection in the project are the foundation of good cooperation and guarantee a conflict-free investment process.

notifying the commencement of construction to the Chief Labor Inspectorate,
notifying the commencement of construction to the County and Voivodship Construction Supervision Inspectorate,
regular communication with townships (for example at the stage of issuing building permits),
regular communication with suppliers and subcontractors in order to coordinate construction work,
communication with energy distributors to inform them about the commencement of construction works and to arrange meetings,
communication with lenders (including EBRD) and other financial institutions operating under the Equator Principles in compliance with the obligations imposed by the financial advisor,
regular communication with local communities and residents (residents of neighboring areas, owners of properties leased for wind power plants, etc.).

The key stakeholders of the Polenergia Group include:

business partners,
employees and collaborators,
clients,
local communities,

In order to communicate efficiently, to provide information quickly and to be able to respond to events/incidents arising from our operations, everyone has access to a form through which comments, complaints or questions can be submitted to us as the Investor of our projects. The form for submitting comments can be found on every project subpage.

Actions for Education and Culture Undertaken in 2024

Actions for environmental and climate education have a significant impact on shaping responsible attitudes in society.

Offshore wind farms Bałtyk getting closer. Summary of 2024

The year 2024 was an important period for offshore wind energy in Poland, including the projects developed by Equinor and Polenergia. The Companies obtained a set of permits for the Bałtyk 2 and 3 projects, both of which will enter the construction phase this year, and prepared the Bałtyk 1 project, the largest planned offshore wind farm in the Polish Baltic, for the auction in 2025.

At the Harvest Festival about offshore wind energy

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.

Polenergia and Equinor once again took part in the Łeba Festival

Hundreds of Łeba residents and tourists from all over Poland visited the stand of Polenergia and Equinor during the Łeba Festival. Visitors could learn more about offshore wind energy and take advantage of numerous attractions prepared by investors of offshore wind farms Bałtyk. Together with the residents, representatives of the companies marched through the streets of the city in the march of the Duchy of Łeba.

Polenergia’s Suleszek sculpture in Sulechów

Polenergia has its little knight Suleszek in Sulechów. This is the fourth knight created in this city. This figurine helps build local identity and mobilizes the local community to learn about legends and history.

Equinor and Polenergia open the first offshore wind energy exhibition in Poland

“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.

Let's talk about offshore wind farms. Equinor and Polenergia organized a meeting for the residents of Łeba and the surrounding area

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.

Equinor, Polenergia, and Vissim jointly organize workshops on traffic coordination in the Baltic Sea

The ability to respond appropriately to emergencies is one of the most important elements for the safe operation of offshore wind farms. Equinor and Polenergia organized another edition of the workshops for representatives of the public sector, government administration, and local government.

The year 2024 will bring important decisions for the Baltic offshore wind farms

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.

Meeting with residents about offshore wind farms Bałtyk

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 first information centre on offshore wind farms in Poland has been launched in Łeba

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.

Equinor and Polenergia at the Harvest Festival of the Słupsk Commune

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.

Equinor and Polenergia train emergency services

The ability to respond appropriately in emergency situations during the construction and operation of offshore wind farms is the basis for their safe operation.  At the invitation of Equinor and Polenergia, representatives of the public sector, government and local authorities took part in an innovative workshop simulating accidents at sea.

Ustka meeting with residents about offshore wind projects Bałtyk II and Bałtyk III

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.

The number of Polish companies that want to build offshore wind farms in the Baltic is growing

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.

The wind of good change blows from the 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.

Łeba is 665 years old

Polenergia and Equinor together with Łeba celebrated the 665th anniversary of granting city rights. Residents and tourists could visit our stand and ask questions about offshore wind farms. One of many attractions was the opportunity to prepare a delicious cocktail in a blender powered by an ecological energy generator – a special bike.

Więcej

Responsibility of partners - Polenergia

Cooperation with such entities helps the Group implement and promote attitudes of social responsibility.

Sectoral Agreement for Offshore Wind Energy Development

In 2021, Polenergia took an active role in the development of the world’s second Sectoral Agreement between representatives of the government, investors, entrepreneurs interested in creating a local supply chain, scientific and research units and other industry players. The signing ceremony was hosted by the Ministry of Climate and Environment.

Building an ethical supply chain for offshore wind farm projects

Polenergia executes projects in the Polish zone of the Baltic Sea and it is committed to the development of local resources at each stage of the work. It employed Polish contractors for analyses, expert opinions, environment studies and documentation created for the purpose of first location and environmental decisions.

Stakeholder dialog campaign

In 2014-2016, Polenergia Group carried out the first in Poland comprehensive stakeholder dialog campaign associated with the development of offshore wind farm projects.

Previous topic

Development of local communities

Next topic

Employee volunteerism and social commitment actions