Polish project led by community leader paves the way for Baltic offshore energy
Dr. Karolina Lipińska, role model for women in energy and project initiator, announced as a finalist in the upcoming EU Sustainable Energy Awards.
By 2025, the first Polish wind farms in the Baltic Sea will supply Poland’s Pomeranian region with energy. This is thanks to the establishment of the Pomeranian Platform for the Development of Offshore Wind Energy in the Baltic Sea, following ten years of leadership by an outstanding woman in the field: Dr. Karolina Lipińska.
As a self-described innovation architect, Karolina has been shaping the Pomeranian region’s economic landscape for the past two decades, following the completion of her Magister Degree in Economics from the University of Gdansk in 2000. She returned again to the University, completing her PhD in Economics in 2019 after ten years of research on entrepreneurial culture, mentality, motivation and creativity. Her vast experience on these topics makes her the region’s strongest and most effective advocate and actor in pushing entrepreneurship and innovation in the area, with her focus now on the Pomeranian Platform.
Since its establishment in September 2020, the Platform is advancing Poland’s efforts to meet EU climate and energy targets. To advance the region's climate neutrality goals, Karolina plans to lead the development of an accelerator for the offshore wind industry, a competence centre for wind energy, and, ultimately a supply chain for Poland’s first offshore wind farms in the Baltic. Bringing together a diverse range of stakeholders has been key to Karolina’s success.
“As a facilitator in the project, I am trying to concentrate the knowledge of different people representing different entities and institutions around one table. This way, through the platform, we can generate new projects, new possibilities for development and increase the competitiveness of the region, boosting our economy in turn,” says Karolina.
The Platform already boasts over 70 members, including local government, scientific institutions, and business as well as entrepreneurs, experts and researchers. A spirit of transparency and openness underpins this cross-sectoral effort. It aims to advance its goals by developing economic contacts to allow the sharing of best practices, supporting education and training to prepare the necessary human resources for initiatives in the area. This work also covers information activities both for possible parties in the supply chain for wind farms and to raise public awareness in the process.
Discussions to date have already brought about changes in legislative processes and laws in Poland and together with the consortium, Karolina now aims to create a centre of competence for offshore renewable energy. The Platform would act as an umbrella organisation for relevant sustainable energy clusters in the region.
With the idea to raise the quality and quantity of projects coming through the offshore investment process, Karolina and her team are bringing Poland and the EU closer to the 2030 targets.
Karolina Lipińska, Agnieszka Rodak and Leszek Bonna (Vice-Marshal Pomorskie Voivodeship) at the signing ceremony of the Polish Offshore Sector Deal agreement by the Ministry of Climate and Environment and offshore stakeholders.
Karolina Lipińska with Ireneusz Zyska (Secretary of State, Government Plenipotentiary for Renewable Energy Sources) and Agnieszka Rodak (CEO of Rumia Invest Park Sp. z o.o.) at the signing ceremony of the Polish Offshore Sector Deal agreement by the Ministry of Climate and Environment and offshore stakeholders.Women paving the way for a sustainable energy future
Dr. Karolina Lipińska is one of three finalists shortlisted for the EU Sustainable Energy Awards 2021 in the Woman in Energy category. The award recognises outstanding activities led by women that, if replicated, help to advance the clean energy transition in Europe and contribute to the European energy and climate targets. The two other contenders in the category are Birgit Hansen and Mὸnica Guiteras Blaya.
Birgit is the mayor of Frederikshavn (Denmark), recognised for her role in the city’s ambitious climate plan. Mὸnica is part of the EmpowerMed project which aims to alleviate energy poverty in the coastal areas of Mediterranean countries, with a particular focus on women.
EU Sustainable Energy Awards recognise champions of 2030 climate and energy targets
Twelve outstanding individuals and projects are highlighted at the EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) 2021 for their innovation in energy efficiency and renewables. Finalists were chosen from a list of the year’s most successful projects for clean, secure and efficient energy. The awards have four categories - Engagement, Innovation, Woman in Energy and Young Energy Trailblazer – as well as the Citizen’s Award, which will be received by one of the projects in the first two categories. Prizes will be awarded by an expert jury (for Engagement and Innovation), and by citizens via a public vote, which is now open until 22 October. The five winners will be announced on Monday 25 October during EUSEW 2021.
EUSEW 2021
EUSEW 2021 runs from 25 to 29 October 2021, under the theme ‘Towards 2030: Reshaping the European Energy System’. Taking place ahead of the decisive COP 26, the event brings together energy policy experts, industry leaders, academia and civil society representatives to discuss how forward-looking policies for decarbonisation, energy efficiency, climate mitigation, and many others comprising the European Green Deal, can help rebuild a better and more resilient society and economy.
EUSEW 2021 is held as an online event once again, with more opportunities than ever to connect, engage, network and reflect on the biggest issues in clean energy in Europe and beyond.
Registrations for participants and for media are now open.
For interview requests with the EUSEW 2021 Award finalists or additional media information, please contact [email protected]