Vineyard Wind has entered into an agreement with the City of Salem and Crowley Maritime Corporation to establish Salem Harbour as the state’s second major offshore wind port.
The agreement, part of the “Commonwealth Wind” proposal, is contingent upon the company winning an award by the state of Massachusetts, which is currently evaluating offshore wind procurement bids.
Vineyard Wind estimates that the project would create up to an estimated 400 full time equivalent (FTE) job years during the revitalisation of the port and up to another 500 FTEs over the first five years of operation for construction and staging for wind projects and also day-to-day port operations, for a total of 900 FTE job years.
Vineyard Wind chief executive Lars Pedersen said: “As offshore wind continues to expand, new purpose-built ports will be key to the success of this industry. By constructing the nation’s first purpose-built offshore wind port in New Bedford, Massachusetts has been leading the way.
“With a new offshore wind port in Salem, the Commonwealth can ensure that it is ready to face the demands of a rapidly growing industry.”
Under the terms of the proposed agreement, Crowley Maritime Corporation, through its New Energy subsidiary Crowley Wind Services, will purchase the 42 acres surrounding Salem Harbour Station, owned by a subsidiary of Footprint Power, and will serve as the long-term offshore wind port operator for the site.
Vineyard Wind’s partners (Avangrid Renewables and CIP) will serve as the port’s anchor tenants, using the property for the Commonwealth Wind project as well as other projects in the company’s portfolio.
The Commonwealth Wind project intends to use the site for turbine assembly and staging activities, utilizing the site to store and assemble components – including blades, nacelles, and tower sections – as they are prepared for offshore installation.