Vestas Halts Poland Wind Turbine Factory Amid Weak European Demand

Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas has paused the development of its planned factory in Szczecin, Poland, which was intended to produce rotor blades for offshore wind turbines. This decision is driven by lower-than-expected demand for offshore wind power in Europe, influenced by challenges such as military objections to projects in Sweden and regulatory hurdles in Poland. The factory was set to open in 2026 and create around 1,000 jobs but will remain on hold until market conditions improve. Despite the pause, Vestas continues to invest in local manufacturing where the offshore wind market shows sufficient volume and stability. This setback reflects broader difficulties facing the European offshore wind sector, compounded by rising material costs and interest rates. Meanwhile, Poland is seeking to increase onshore wind capacity as part of its renewable energy strategy, shifting away from coal dominance.