Meet Michal Zientarski, ABL Country Lead for Poland

The team at ABL shares the passion, vision and values for working in energy and the world’s oceans, de-risking and driving the energy transition. We are driven by the idea that the best work is born from professionalism, diligence… and fun. You know ABL, but do you know our team?

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Give us a glimpse into your day-to-day life at ABL Poland so far. What keeps you on your toes?

ABL developments in Poland are keeping me very busy. Polish Offshore Wind Farm auctions in December 2025 were a big success, looking back at the global renewables market. There is big competition and lots of opportunity within OWFs, marine, maritime, P&H and defence. My responsibility is to showcase ABL’s scope of service to all of the markets.

Michal, tell us a little about what inspired you to work in energy and oceans.

Since I was 15, I knew I would be a Marine Engineer. Since I heard about offshore, I realised this was the place I wanted to be.

This industry has the highest safety standards, the biggest investments and the most complex projects. Besides that, I really like the vessels and the whole infrastructure related to them. 

Working actively in supporting Baltic Sea offshore wind, as the local industry accelerates development, what are the major marine and operational challenges that developers, operators and insurers will need to manage, and where can early marine assurance and MWS support make the greatest difference?

There are a few major challenges in the local Offshore Wind industry, such as a lack of available vessels. Planning T&I campaigns in advance is crucial for reducing the costs and delays of the project.

The Baltic Sea is limited in the number of OWF installation vessels due to an air draft limitation of 65m on the East Bridge in Denmark. 

GPS signal jamming is common practice on wind farms, which delays the preparation and construction phase of the projects. And lastly, incidents of damaging offshore cables indicate how important proper offshore cable installation and protection are.

Poland has strong marine and construction expertise, alongside significant energy-transition ambitions. Do you see an opportunity for the country’s marine industry to play a larger role in renewable and offshore energy development across Europe and internationally?

I see the opportunity for Poland to become an offshore wind industry hub for Europe and internationally. We have multiple companies that, in a short period, entered the offshore wind industry as Tier 1, 2, and 3. Offshore Substations, offshore cables manufacture, two marshaling ports, WTG assembly manufacture, construction and repairing various types of offshore vessels, WTG gearbox (so far for onshore, but it’s a matter of time to go offshore), offshore geophysics and seismics research, HDD drilling for export cables, marine drones etc.

What does the future of energy and oceans look like in Poland right now? Why is the local market increasingly playing an important role in international offshore industries? 

The future of energy and oceans is happening right now – OWFs are under construction, auctions for new ones are ending successfully, ports are growing, Nuclear Power Plant on the Baltic coast is coming closer to the construction phase. The future in Poland is now. 

Beyond the work, what makes you tick outside of the office?

In the foreground is my Family. They are the main reason I stepped down to a shore-based position. In the background is sport: Muay Thai, hiking in the mountains, snowboarding – this is what keeps me busy and clears my head from daily problems and challenges. 

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More about Michal

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