Baltimore County, Maryland and Sparrows Point Steel have won a major new federal grant of over US$47m to support plans to establish a major offshore wind logistics and manufacturing hub in Baltimore County.
The grant is the fourth-largest award given this year through the US Maritime Administration’s Port Infrastructure Development Program.
Sitting on nearly 100 acres of waterfront at Tradepoint Atlantic in Baltimore County, Maryland, the Sparrows Point Steel site was once home to Bethlehem Steel, the largest steel production facility in the world.
This funding will help transform the site by supporting extensive upgrades needed for large offshore wind components to be staged and transported to offshore wind project sites along the East Coast, including monopile foundations and towers manufactured at Sparrows Point Steel.
Along with helping to establish a domestic supply chain that employs union workers and minority owned businesses, the site will also serve as a marshalling port to stage, load and ship heavy materials for other offshore wind project developers.
Establishing this hub in Baltimore County will help address both challenges and move Maryland and the nation closer to reaching their offshore wind goals, the consortium said.
The work will also strengthen the site against regional climate change effects, improve resiliency to storms, and facilitate electrification of port operations where possible, it added.
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski said: “The production of clean and sustainable energy in Baltimore County is a priority for my administration, and we’re thrilled to see Sparrows Point Steel recognised as a major driver for offshore wind energy and economic opportunity.
“Thanks to our federal and state partners, this grant will enable continued investment in our local workforce while taking significant action to make our nation’s supply chain more sustainable and resilient.”
Jeff Grybowski, Sparrows Point Steel chief executive added: “We are working hard to bring offshore wind energy to Maryland and this award gives a much-needed boost to our efforts to establish an offshore wind supply chain right here in Baltimore.
“Our plans for Sparrows Point Steel will put Marylanders to work, especially union workers and minority owned businesses.
“We’re grateful for the strong partnership we have with Baltimore County, Governor Moore, and the Biden administration. Together we aim to make Maryland a hub of offshore wind logistics and manufacturing in the US.”