Green Forum • 25 November, 2024 at 4:02 PM
Danske Commodities has entered trading and balancing agreements for the Polish offshore wind projects Bałtyk 2 and 3, marking its largest renewables deal to date. The energy trading company will offtake the full production from these projects, which have a combined capacity of 1.44 GW.
The offshore wind farms, Bałtyk 2 and 3, are being developed by Polenergia, Poland's largest private energy group, and Norway-based Equinor, with each holding a 50% stake. Located in the Baltic Sea, the projects are slated for commissioning in 2028. Under the agreement, Danske Commodities will manage trading and balancing activities in Poland's wholesale and balancing electricity markets.
Headquartered in Denmark and fully owned by Equinor, Danske Commodities will take on 100% of the wind farms' output, with each site offering a capacity of 720 MW. The combined production is expected to meet the energy needs of two million Polish households.
“This is the largest renewables agreement in our history,” said Helle Østergaard Kristiansen, CEO of Danske Commodities. “With nearly 15 years of experience in Poland's power trading market, Poland is becoming a key renewables market for us. We look forward to further expanding our asset portfolio.”
Earlier this year, Danske Commodities signed a balancing agreement for Lipno, Equinor Group's third solar park in Poland. The company's move into offshore wind aligns with Equinor's broader energy strategy in the country. “With Poland's growing renewables sector, Danske Commodities is ready to support Equinor and other energy producers by creating additional value through power trading,” Kristiansen added. The company currently manages a contract portfolio totaling 12 GW of capacity across Europe.
Bałtyk 2 is located 37 kilometers from the shore, while Bałtyk 3 is 22 kilometers offshore. Both projects are being developed by MFW Bałtyk II and MFW Bałtyk III. Equinor Polska has been contracted for operations, maintenance, construction, equipment, and access services, as well as maintaining the service base. Wind turbines for the farms will be installed by Cadeler.
Polenergia and Equinor recently received construction permits for the projects and expect to reach a final investment decision in the first quarter of 2024.