The article concerns legal aspects of localization of wind turbines at sea under Polish jurisdiction, i.e. on internal waters, territorial waters and within the exclusive economic zone. The Author provides analysis of applicable Polish law, including Maritime Areas Act 1991 and Spatial Planning Act 2003 in the context of domestic and international law on maritime environment protection.

The article outlines drafting of amendments to the Maritime Areas and Maritime Administration Act (1991). The key change is an express prohibition of construction and operation of wind farms within territorial sea and internal waters. The prohibition affects a zone of 12 nautical miles (22,224 kilometers) offshore and its purpose is mainly to protect the scenery of coastal recreational zones.

The article takes on a subject likely to become a heart of a spirited national debate. The localization of the nuclear power plant on the Baltic Sea coast necessitates taking into account the following documents: the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the 1992 Helsinki Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea, the 1992 Espoo Con-vention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context, the 1998 Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters.

The critical body whose opinion should be taken into account with respect to localization and construction of the nuclear power plant is the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM).