The US north-east state of Maine will examine the potential for Mack Point Terminal in Searsport to support its offshore wind industry.
Maine Department of Transportation (Maine DoT), the Governor’s Energy Office, and the Department of Economic and Community Development, as a part of the Maine Offshore Wind Initiative (MOWI) will carry put the Port Infrastructure and Market Potential Assessment.
The study will use the 2017 Searsport Intermodal Commodity Study as a foundation and identify and assess short-term and long-term port opportunities related to the offshore wind industry.
The assessment will “review current site characteristics, provide an analysis of potential port users and identify structural improvements or capital investments that may be needed”.
Additional analysis and review will also be undertaken to “review offshore wind supply chain opportunities such as foundation and turbine assembly as well as the workforce needed to support these activities in Maine”.
Floating wind pilot Aqua Ventus 1 which will be installed in the Gulf of Maine, is planning for approval to use Mack Point Terminal to assemble the hull that will be towed out to the demonstration test site off Monhegan Island.
Maine Governor Janet Mills (second from left) said: “Searsport has been critical for the delivery and deployment of onshore wind in New England for years. My Administration will evaluate how the Port can do the same for offshore wind. I look forward to the results of this assessment and charting a path forward for this industry in Maine.”
The announcement follows Mills’ visit to Scotland in early March as a member of a US state and federal delegation organised by the UK government to learn more about offshore wind.
It also follows her State of the State address in which she spoke of “unleashing” Maine’s offshore wind potential. She said, in the address, “Offshore wind is poised to become a $1tn industry by 2040, creating thousands of good-paying jobs, providing clean renewable energy, and spurring economic growth.
“With our existing port infrastructure and proximity to both European and east coast markets, Maine is well-positioned to become a leader in the offshore wind industry just as Scotland has.”
Prior to the announcement, Governor Mills toured Mack Point Terminal and viewed onshore wind turbine components that have been delivered to the terminal for the Weaver Wind onshore project in Hancock County.
An active seaport since the 1700s, Searsport is Maine’s second largest seaport and is home to an intermodal port facility serving coastal and inland areas of Maine.
Mack Point Terminal, operated by Sprague Operation Resources, is able to handle a diverse array of product including bulk shipments as well as project and containerised cargo.
The terminal has space for laydown, bulk piling, warehousing and liquid tank storage as well as a potential for further development on existing property.
“The town of Searsport is excited and pleased to see progress in the development of offshore wind out of our Port,” said Searsport Town Manager, James Gillway, adding, “We have been closely connected to the ocean since our inception in 1845. We thank the Governor for moving this industry forward as clean, renewable energy is vitally important to our community and state. “
As a part of MOWI, the state will also soon be launching an initiative to engage directly with the commercial fishing industry to facilitate communication and solicit input to ensure any potential development considers the fishing industry and other maritime interests.