Equinor has initiated the construction phase of its strategic operations and maintenance (O&M) base in Łeba, marking a significant milestone for the Bałtyk 2 and Bałtyk 3 offshore wind projects. Polish construction company Erbud has secured the initial contract to clear the site and prepare the ground for the main development.
The base will be built on the site of the former shipyard in Łeba. The complex will include offices, a remote control and monitoring centre for the wind farms, a spare parts warehouse and a quay for berthing vessels. The facility is scheduled to be commissioned in the first half of 2026. The architectural design was developed by B-C Architects of Gdansk.
The investment is linked to the development of the Bałtyk 2 and Bałtyk 3 projects, jointly developed by Equinor and Polenergia. These wind farms, located 22-37 kilometres off the coast of Poland’s Exclusive Economic Zone in the Baltic Sea, are expected to start generating electricity in 2027, with full commercial operation planned for 2028.
The Łeba base will create employment opportunities for dozens of professionals. Equinor is currently finalising the selection of the general contractor for the remaining part of the investment. Asour editorial team reported in December 2024, the facility, which will be 100% owned by the Norwegian energy company, has already received all the necessary permits.
In March 2023, Equinor announced that Gdansk-based architectural firm B-CA would design the service base in Łeba. The winning architectural concept is for a carbon-neutral building that maximises the use of renewable energy sources and locally available materials.
In November 2024, the project companies MFW Bałtyk II and MFW Bałtyk III, owned by Polish company Polenergia and Equinor, signed Operation and Maintenance (O&M) service contracts with Equinor Polska sp. z o.o. The company will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the plants.
The company plans to employ dozens of highly qualified specialists, with the first recruitment processes to start in early 2025.
The town is already home to the Bałtyk Offshore Wind Farm Information Centre – Poland’s first year-round offshore wind energy information and training centre.
