SSE Renewables and Acciona Energia have agreed to explore offshore wind opportunities in Poland, as the country seeks to progress the deployment of around 6GW of offshore wind energy by the end of the decade.

The two firms, who are already co-operating on the exploration of offshore wind opportunities in Spain and Portugal, have now signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to formalise a 50-50 joint venture to develop offshore wind opportunities in the Polish energy market.

Poland has set a target of generating at least 23% of its gross energy consumption from renewable sources by 2030, and at least 28.5% by 2040.

The development of offshore wind energy is one of the key elements to achieve these goals, with the country setting ambitious targets of 5.9GW of offshore wind energy installed by 2030, and 11GW installed by 2040.

Currently, Poland’s government is finalising the regulatory framework for awarding Offshore Location Licenses (OLL) for the allocation of development rights for offshore wind farms. The two companies aim to participate in the country’s awarding procedure.

SSE Renewables is currently leading the construction of more offshore wind energy than any other company in the world, including building the world’s largest offshore wind farm, the 3.6GW Dogger Bank Wind Farm in the North Sea.

Jim Smith, managing director of SSE Renewables, said: “I am delighted to expand our cooperation with Acciona Energia and, in doing so, to now also include offshore wind exploration in Poland alongside Spain and Portugal in our co-development plans with our partner.

“There are exciting developments in the Polish offshore wind sector which is very much up and running, with a clear target for 2030 and big ambition out to 2040 and beyond.”