Poland’s expanding offshore wind sector could supply the electricity needed for energy-intensive artificial intelligence infrastructure and data centres, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on July 10, while warning investors that power generated at sea must remain competitively priced.

“The scale allows us to think ambitiously about projects essential for the development of artificial intelligence, the entire cyberspace and data centres,” Tusk said during a briefing in Choczewo, northern Poland, state news agency PAP reported.

Tusk's comments followed the first delivery of electricity from the Baltic Power offshore wind farm to Poland’s national grid via the Choczewo substation.

Poland’s growing economy will require increasing amounts of electricity, Tusk said, adding that the government was pursuing a diverse energy mix with a strong emphasis on renewable sources.

Price would be the decisive criterion in future auctions supporting the second phase of Poland’s offshore wind development, he said.

“I am very pleased with these achievements at sea. Offshore wind is a source of satisfaction and pride, but investors must remember that this electricity has to be competitive,” Tusk said.

Baltic Power, developed by Polish energy group Orlen and Canada’s Northland Power, will have a capacity of about 1.2 GW once all 76 turbines are operating. Fifty-four turbines have been installed so far.

The wind farm is expected to produce around 4 TWh of electricity annually, equivalent to about 3% of Poland’s current demand or the consumption of more than 1.5mn households. It could reduce Poland's CO2 emissions from power generation by as much as 2.8mn tonnes a year compared with conventional sources.

Baltic Power is the first of several offshore projects due to connect through Choczewo. The infrastructure is ultimately expected to receive electricity from six wind farms with combined capacity exceeding 6 GW, more than the capacity of the Bełchatów lignite-fired power station.

Poland aims to have about 5.9 GW of offshore wind capacity installed by 2030, with potential capacity rising to around 18 GW by 2040.

Choczewo is also where Poland is building its first nuclear power plant, expected to start operation in the late 2030s.