Equinor and Polenergia have installed the first offshore wind foundations at the Bałtyk 2 and Bałtyk 3 projects in the Baltic Sea, marking the start of the offshore installation campaign. Heerema Marine Contractors’ heavy-lift vessel Thialf is carrying out the installation work at the project sites.
The vessel, which is more than 200 metres long and 88 metres wide, lifts the monopiles from a transport vessel positioned alongside. The steel monopiles, measuring around 50 to 70 metres in length, are raised into a vertical position before being lowered into the seabed using a specialised gripper frame designed to maintain stability and installation accuracy.
After the monopiles are secured, transition pieces measuring about 17 metres in height are installed on top. The combined structures will support the offshore wind turbines, which are scheduled for installation in 2027.
A total of 100 foundation sets will be installed during the offshore construction phase. Installation of the offshore substation jackets is also planned later this year.
The Bałtyk 2 and 3 offshore wind farms will have a combined installed capacity of 1,440 MW. The projects are expected to deliver first power in 2027 and reach full commercial operation in 2028.
