Joanna Grochocka, Consent Engineer in the F.E.W. Baltic II project, RWE Renewables: “Our educational offer is aimed at students from schools located in the area of the planned offshore wind farm and the accompanying connection infrastructure. The RWE initiative is primarily aimed at raising awareness among children and youth about the use of renewable sources for energy generation. It is also important to showcase the potential of the renewable energy sector as a potential employer of first choice.”

RWE continues its series of educational classes for students of primary schools in Pomerania. So far, in November, December 2021, and May 2022, workshops on renewable energy sources have been conducted in several institutions, in the Lt. Witold Dzięgielewski Primary School in Zaleskie, Ustka Municipality, Wincenty Witos Primary School in Bierkowo, Słupsk Municipality, Aleksander Doba Marine Primary School in Gdańsk, and Kornel Makuszyński Primary School in Kobylnica. The classes were carried out for a total of about 750 students in grades 4–8, ages 10–14.

Classes for students organized by RWE are 90-minute meetings during which children and youth not only learn how green energy is obtained, but can also generate electricity themselves using a wind turbine or photovoltaic panels. The main goal of the class is to make participants aware of the positive aspects of using renewable energy sources. Students can gain knowledge about producing electricity from wind and solar energy. Organizers place a strong emphasis on educating participants to reduce CO₂ emissions by moving away from conventional energy sources.

“In the theoretical part, we talk to the students about the environmental benefits of investing in green energy, and pro-environmental solutions in the design and construction of installations using renewable sources,” emphasise Joanna Grochocka and Piotr Tomczak, the initiators of the classes, employees of RWE Renewables involved in the development of the F.E.W. Baltic II offshore wind project. “During the workshop, children and youth learn how wind kinetic energy is converted to mechanical energy and then converted into electricity using a generator that is part of a wind turbine. We present our listeners with audiovisual materials demonstrating what an offshore wind farm looks like and how it is built, including the electrical transmission infrastructure. However, it is the hands-on activities that the students enjoy the most. Under the watchful eyes of the instructors, they can use relevant teaching materials such as photovoltaic panels, a weather station, wind turbine, multimeters, light bulbs, etc. to understand how solar panels and wind turbines work.”

A great interest of teachers and students in workshops organized by RWE confirms the need to continue the series in other primary and secondary schools in the municipalities of Ustka and Słupsk. Currently, RWE has extended the programme to include secondary school students, who are facing the choice of a professional path and are looking for information about the development prospects of the offshore sector in Poland. The first classes were held in early June in the Secondary Technical School No. 2 at the Complex of Construction and Vocational Training Schools in Słupsk. Such education will help them make a more informed decision when seeking employment in the job market dedicated to this growing industry. During the workshop, young people discussed the rapid development of the job market associated with offshore wind energy and key competencies sought by employers in the renewables sector. Students had the opportunity to learn about the operation of an offshore wind farm along with its connection infrastructure thanks to the presentation of a specially prepared model. In addition, they were enabled, through virtual reality technology, to “virtually visit” the interior, foundations, tower, and nacelle of the offshore wind turbine. The model was prepared by RWE engineer Piotr Sadowski. The next classes with students are scheduled for 13–15 June at the “Elektryk” Polish Nobel Prize Winners School Complex in Słupsk.

RWE pursues its vision of being a responsible energy producer that is striving for climate neutrality. It understands the importance of developing social environmental awareness, especially among the youngest generations. The company wants to raise awareness among children and youth about the global need and necessity to diversify into renewable energy sources such as solar and wind energy, and the need to reduce CO₂ production by moving away from traditional, carbon-intensive and exhaustible fossil fuels.

RWE Renewables is building one of the first offshore wind farms on the Polish Baltic Sea, the 350 MW F.E.W. Baltic II. It is also applying for 11 new areas for the construction of offshore farms. In Poland, RWE also operates onshore wind farms with a total installed capacity of 410 MW. In 2022, RWE has already commissioned the Rozdrażew onshore wind farm (16.8 MW) and is planning to build another onshore facility, Żnin (48 MW). New projects are being prepared or their construction is underway. In addition, RWE is diversifying its Polish renewables portfolio by investing in solar farms. RWE plans to build more than 80 MW of new photovoltaic projects in 2022 and 2023.

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