Vestas, a global leader in sustainable energy solutions, has laid the foundation stone for its upcoming offshore wind turbine factory in Szczecin, Poland. The ceremony, held on February 2nd at Ostrow Grabowski, was attended by Frederick X, the King of Denmark, officials from the Polish and Danish governments, and business partners, marking a significant commitment by Vestas to create a wind energy hub in Poland that aims to aid in the energy transformation and enhance Europe’s energy security.
Vestas announced in October 2022 its plans to open an assembly factory in Szczecin for nacelles and hubs for its flagship V236-15.0-MW wind turbine. Set to become operational in 2025, the factory is expected to create around 700 new jobs in the Szczecin area, nearly doubling Vestas’ employment in Poland where the company already employs 800 people.
Tommy Rahbek Nielsen, Vestas’ COO, emphasized the company’s intention to lead the development of a sustainable supply chain in Europe. “Our plans for new offshore factories in Poland are a strong signal that Europe can stimulate investments in the wind industry and green jobs through appropriate long-term political commitments to offshore wind projects,” he stated.
Vestas has a longstanding presence in Poland, having been active in the market for over two decades. Nils de Baar, President of Vestas Northern & Central Europe, highlighted Poland’s promising market, noting the country’s transformation of its energy system and its potential in wind energy, buoyed by favorable wind conditions both onshore and offshore. “Poland has a highly skilled workforce and a developing wind industry that can become an offshore hub for the Baltic region and the rest of Europe,” de Baar said.
Adding to its commitment to Poland, Vestas announced in January 2024 plans to establish a second factory in Szczecin for producing blades for the V236-15.0 MW turbines, slated to start operations in 2026. This facility will create over 1000 additional jobs, further cementing Vestas’ position as a key player in Europe’s renewable energy landscape and supporting Poland’s rise as a central figure in the offshore wind sector.