Vineyard Wind, a joint venture between Avangrid Renewables and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, has chosen DEME Offshore US to install foundations at the 800MW Vineyard Wind 1 offshore wind farm off the US east coast.
DEME will handle the transportation and installation of the monopiles, transition pieces, and scour protection, in addition to the offshore electrical substation foundation and platform.
The company is also contracted to install the project’s turbines.
Vineyard Wind 1 and DEME Offshore will closely work together with the local unions and trades to provide training.
The goal is to have US workers play an increasing role on a variety of scopes of work during the construction of the project, they said.
Vineyard Wind chief executive Lars Pedersen said: “We’re pleased to work with DEME on another facet of our Vineyard Wind 1 project because they understand the need to train the US workforce so that we can meet the demands of this growing industry.
“With this contractor in place, we can now build on the goals laid out in our Project Labor Agreement and lay the foundation for the good paying US jobs that will carry our industry forward.”
DEME Offshore US director Jan Klaassen said: “DEME Offshore US is proud of this achievement, not only about the award of another significant scope of work for the project, but also about the agreement with the unions.
“DEME Offshore US has always promoted cooperation with local companies and local people, we believe in the success of bringing people from different backgrounds and expertise together in one team.
“We will deploy highly specialised vessels and crews with huge experience in offshore wind and in the same time providing opportunities for American labour force to become involved in this fascinating business; constructing sustainable offshore energy production for US future energy mix.”
DEME Offshore US president Sid Florey said: “It has been a pleasure to work together with the local unions and trades.
“We are also engaging intensively now with local US companies who can act as our suppliers and vendors.
“We look forward cooperating with all the stakeholders in the realisation of this first large-scale offshore wind project in US waters.
“This project will form a cornerstone for the growth of offshore wind industry in the US, where DEME Offshore US will play a significant role together with its US partners.”
Vineyard Wind 1 reached financial close in September and will begin delivering clean energy to Massachusetts in 2023.