Poland awards 3.4 GW of capacity in its first offshore wind auction

The winners of the 17 December 2025 auction were Orlen Neptun VIII, with the 900-MW Baltic East offshore windfarm; Baltica 9 Wind Farm (PGE Baltica), with the 975-MW MFW Baltica 9 windfarm; and MFW Bałtyk I SA’s 1.5-GW Bałtyk I project (a project led by energy major Equinor and Polish partner Polenergia).

After failed auctions in a number of European countries in 2025, the results of the successful Polish auction will provide the offshore wind industry with a significant boost as countries committed to wind power adjust auction criteria in anticipation of relaunching auctions in 2026. The Polish auction also reinforces the importance of the shift now underway in other countries to the use of two-sided Contracts for Difference of the type adopted in Poland.

Energy Regulatory Office president Renata Mroczek said, “The first offshore wind energy auction in Poland is a significant event in our country’s energy transition. The fact that it was successful is a source of great satisfaction.”

Auction participants committed to generating and feeding electricity into the grid within seven years of the auction closing date. Upon fulfilment of this obligation, they will receive state support in the form of a two-sided contract for difference for a 25-year period. The regulator’s office said the minimum price offered was PLN 476.88/MWh (approximately €113/MWh or US$133/MWh) and the highest was PLN 492.32/MWh (approximately €117/MWh).

Poland’s next auctions for offshore wind energy are due to take place in 2027, 2029 and 2031.