US engineering, procurement, and construction Empire Energy Partners Offshore Division has formed a strategic joint venture with California-based steel manufacturer The Herrick Corporation designed to strengthen the domestic offshore wind supply chain.
The partners aim to explore the potential to manufacture key components, including monopiles, transition pieces (TPs), towers, and secondary steel for both fixed and floating offshore wind projects.
The JV will also explore opportunities to develop and build facilities dedicated to the manufacturing of turbine parts, including nacelles, blades, towers, monopiles, transition pieces, and secondary steel.
The partners said the collaboration aims to leverage Herrick’s extensive steel production expertise and Empire Energy’s comprehensive EPC capabilities to enhance the supply chain’s capacity, supporting the sector’s continued growth.
Empire added the JV complements its existing collaborations with Sarens and Largo Concrete.
“This joint venture marks a critical milestone in our ongoing efforts to strengthen the U.S. offshore wind supply chain,” said Empire Energy Partners senior director of offshore wind Mike Milledge.
“By combining our expertise with Herrick Corporation’s industry-leading steel manufacturing capabilities, we are well-positioned to support the nation’s renewable energy goals with a focus on quality, scalability, and sustainability.”
The Herrick Corporation chief executive Robert Hazleton added, “The ability to combine engineering, procurement and fabrication at scale into a single entity is the key to cost-effective domestic production of floating bases and monopiles.
“This partnership results in the technical acumen, logistics support and access to deep water ports required to scale operations to meet future demands.”