First eligible fishermen received compensations from Baltic Power

In accordance with the Transitional Compensation Scheme, the first compensation payments have been made to fishermen who carried out fishing activities in the area of the Baltic Power offshore wind farm. The transitional compensation scheme is valid for the construction of the offshore wind farm or until ministerial regulations are in place.

The scheme was introduced to compensate local shipowners for the restrictions on their fishing activities that result from the construction of the offshore wind farm. The amount of the granted compensation depends on the size of the fishing vessel. Owners whose vessels operated in the time period 2018-2023 in the fishing squares N7, N8, O7, O8 and O6 in the area of the planned wind farm and connecting infrastructure (+500 m buffer zone) are eligible to receive compensation. In addition, Baltic Power has provided one-off compensation for owners of the recreational fishing vessels. The amount of compensation will range from PLN 15,200 to 48,700 per year or be a one-off payment for recreational vessel owners.  

We have kept our word. We’ve made the first payments by the end of this year, before offshore works start. In anticipation of the target ministerial regulations regulating the cooperation between the offshore wind industry and the fisheries, we have launched our own Transitional Compensation Scheme for fishermen. At the same time, we are continuing our commitment to develop a final solution for the offshore wind industry in Poland - says Jarosław Broda, Member of the Board of Baltic Power.  

Compensation are being paid successively, according to the order of receiving correctly completed applications which can be submitted physically at information points in Łeba, Ustka and Władysławowo (during informational meetings) and online – documents are available at DLA RYBAKÓW  section at the balticpower.pl website. In addition, a series of meetings and consultation points have been organised for fishermen interested in applying for compensation. Further meetings will be held on a quarterly basis.  

Applications are to be received in two rounds: November 2024 - February 2025 and June - August 2025. The first tranche of compensation covers the payment period November-December 2024 and 2025. Applications for compensation for 2026 will be accepted similarly in the period: November 2025 - February 2026 and June - August 2026. When the ministerial regulations are introduced, Baltic Power will end its transitional scheme and adapt to the new regulations. 

In January 2025 we will start the offshore phase of the Baltic Power wind farm, as the first ever in the  Polish Baltic waters. As a responsible investor, we are responding to the needs addressed by the local community and the fishing industry. In addition to our transitional compensation scheme, we are involving fishermen in the offshore works at the construction site. Three specifically adapted fishing vessels will operate in the construction site as so-called guard vessels and will be responsible for, among other things, communicating with other vessels passing in the vicinity of the construction site - says Jens Poulsen, Member of the Board of Baltic Power. 

The Baltic Power offshore wind farm, a joint venture between ORLEN and Northland Power, is the most advanced offshore wind project in Poland and the only one to have reached the construction phase. In 2023, the project received the final investment decision (FID) and financing from 25 international institutions in the project finance model. As of 2023, construction of the onshore infrastructure of the farm is underway, with offshore installation works starting in January 2025. Baltic Power will be one of the first farms in the world to install 15 MW wind turbines. With planned completion in 2026, Baltic Power will be the first Polish offshore wind farm operating in the Baltic Sea. The investment will cover approximately 3% of the country's energy needs (corresponding to the needs of more than 1.5 million households). Baltic Power will generate approximately 4,000 GWh of zero-emission electricity per year, reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 2.8 million tonnes per year compared to production from conventional resources.