Poland held its first competitive offshore wind auction on 17 December, offering developers the chance to secure up to 4 gigawatts of capacity in the Baltic Sea, the country’s Energy Regulatory Office said.
Bidders have until 1800 Central European Time to submit proposals for two-sided Contracts for Difference, with maximum strike prices set between €115 and €122 per megawatt-hour. Previously, projects in Polish waters were awarded through non-competitive procedures.
The regulator said the new support mechanism would be financed through fees levied by the transmission system operator.
At least three projects are expected to participate in the auction, including Equinor and Polenergia’s Baltyk 1, PGE Baltica and Orsted’s Baltica 1, and Orlen’s Baltic East.
The competitive auction marks a shift in Poland’s approach to offshore wind, aiming to foster cost efficiency and greater market participation in the country’s rapidly growing renewable energy sector.
