Brayton Point Commerce Center in Massachusetts is open for business for the offshore wind industry, having completed upgrades to support heavy-lift port operations and receive deep-draft vessels at the site.
Contractor EnviroAnalytics Group completed most of the demolition at the site, since starting upgrade works 18 months ago for site owner Commercial Development Company (CDC).
Works include preparing Brayton Point as a suitable location for an offshore wind marshalling port and hub for manufacturing offshore wind components.
EnviroAnalytics president Russ Becker said: “Grading activities will commence this spring to prepare laydown and manufacturing areas for future tenants.
“The grading plan is designed in accordance with the offshore wind industry requirements for a marshalling port and for manufacturing offshore wind components.”
Brayton Point was previously the location of a coal-fired power plant.
“Our crews have safely deconstructed and removed 1.5 million square feet of former powerplant infrastructure. We now have a blank canvas to create a platform for new development as the site matures into Brayton Point Commerce Center,” added Becker.
CDC has been engaged in discussions with offshore wind industry companies. Prospective tenants include manufacturing, logistics, cable interconnections, maintenance, and other bulk materials, said the company.
CDC executive vice president Stephen Collins said: “We have seen significant interest from prospective tenants wishing to use the port for offshore wind operations. These discussions take time as the investments are sizable.”
To date Brayton Point has received a total of nine vessel calls, including offshore wind research boats.
In May 2019 grid asset developer Anbaric signed an agreement with CDC to build a 1200MW high voltage direct current converter and 400MW battery storage plant at Brayton Point to support the offshore wind industry.
Collins said: “Ultimately, the development of wind energy projects at Brayton Point is subject to market factors outside of our control. These include state and federal permit timelines and developer contracts.
“However, we are preparing the site for wind uses and remain optimistic offshore wind will play a major role in Brayton Point’s future. Throughout south eastern Massachusetts from government officials to university and technical school leadership and business leaders interested in using Brayton Point, there is a tremendous support and recognition as to what has been accomplished and where we are going. ‘Build it, and they will come'”.