Investment in Offshore Wind Energy in Poland and Its Impact on Public Opinion

Abstract

The availability of energy-bearing resources is a key determinant of the development strategy of the world’s energy systems. In the case of Poland, the wind energy potential of the Baltic Sea provides the basis for the development of offshore wind energy in the country. The processes of transforming solutions towards green technologies require appropriate legislation, significant financial outlays, as well as public support for this dimension of activities. The latter strand requires continuous measurement to dynamically model the energy transition strategy. In the author’s opinion, the available literature does not sufficiently explain this theme in relation to Polish conditions. Hence, it was considered reasonable to investigate the impact of offshore wind energy development in Poland on public opinion in a selected region of Poland, in order to diagnose the current scale of support for the changes taking place, and to identify the main expectations and fears related to this activity, which was assumed as the main objective of the study. The added value of the survey is the analysis of changes in public opinion over time. The methodology used for the research was a study of the scientific literature, with analysis of the results of own and secondary research conducted in Poland. In terms of in-depth research, statistical survey techniques supported by the PQstat programme were used. The results of the survey confirmed significant public support in the surveyed area for offshore wind energy development in Poland (68%). The overall percentage of support for offshore development increased by 5% y/y. Economic considerations for the support of the activities in question with the potential vision of lowering energy prices in the domestic market were confirmed with a result of 65%. It was further confirmed that a key aspect of support for the offshore development strategy in the surveyed region of Poland is the potential for development of the region in relation to offshore farm investments, with a focus on the labour market, with indications of 53% for both themes. Interestingly, there was no concern in relation to the risk of landscape change in an undesirable direction in 2024.