• Poland has inaugurated its first offshore wind farm in the Baltic Sea, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasizing its importance for the country's energy security.
• The offshore wind farm, located near the Pomeranian Baltic coast, is expected to have a capacity of 1.2 gigawatts and supply electricity to 1.5 million households, aiming to reduce Poland's reliance on coal as an energy source.
• The Baltic Power wind farm, owned by Polish state-owned energy group Orlen and Canadian company Northland Power, is estimated to have a total investment of €4.7 billion ($5.3 billion) and currently has 54 wind turbines with plans for 76 in total.

Poland has brought its first offshore wind farm in the Baltic Sea into operation, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk calling the project a key element of the country's energy security.

He called it a key element for the country's energy security, PAP news agency reported.

The electricity comes ashore at Choczewo, near the Pomeranian Baltic coast north of Gdansk.

Once completed, the offshore wind farm is expected to have a capacity of 1.2 gigawatts and supply 1.5 million households, equivalent to the output of the Polish Belchatow lignite-fired power station, the largest in the world, Tusk said.

Poland plans to lessen its dependence on coal as a source of energy and is also planning its first nuclear power station, alongside expanding renewable power sources.

The new Baltic Power wind farm, located 23 kilometres off the coast, currently has 54 wind turbines, with 76 planned.

Polish media estimate the total investment at €4.7 billion ($5.3 billion). The wind farm is owned by Polish state-owned energy group Orlen and Canadian company Northland Power.