The developers of an offshore wind project off Connecticut will make more than $100m (€90m) in direct financial commitments to benefit locals and communities in the state.
Eversource and Orsted have outlined the investments as part of their Constitution Wind project bid, which was filed with the state in late September in response to a request for proposals (RfPs) for up to 2GW of offshore wind capacity.
The developers stated: “Constitution Wind’s economic development commitments will invest in local port infrastructure for direct use by the offshore wind industry, renew the economically distressed City of New London, catalyse regional economic activity, including supply chain development, develop an offshore wind workforce from local skilled labour, and advance climate mitigation and resiliency.”
If selected in the current RfP, Constitution Wind said it will make more than $100 million in direct financial commitments to benefit Connecticut families, workers, and communities.
Initiatives the money will fund include Eastern CT Small Business Loan Fund, Southeastern CT Enterprise Region (seCTer), CT Offshore Wind Scholarships for community college students, Building Pathways Pre-Apprenticeship programme, and the CT United Labor Agency.
Eversource and Orsted have also committed to invest $57.5m for upgrades to New London State Pier, an underutilised state asset, to accommodate the industry and create a world-class offshore wind staging hub in Connecticut.
Orsted US offshore wind CEO Thomas Brostrom said: “We are delivering unmatched investments into Connecticut that will support Connecticut workers and drive economic activity and future growth while also helping the state meet its recently strengthened climate change mandates.
“Following up on the selection of our Revolution Wind project and our investment to transform New London State Pier into a world-class offshore wind centre, our proposed Constitution Wind project will be delivered by the industry’s leading experts to ensure the project is achievable, sustainable and successful for Connecticut.”
Eversource executive vice president for enterprise energy strategy and business development Lee Olivier added, “Through our four years of project development and outreach, there is great enthusiasm for offshore wind from Connecticut residents, businesses, and communities who recognise the economic benefits this new industry will bring to our shores.
“We look forward to being a catalyst for Connecticut’s transition to clean, affordable, offshore wind energy while significantly supporting the communities where we live and work.”
In addition to the direct economic development commitments, the local Constitution Wind project work, which includes the pre-assembly and load out of wind turbines and secondary steel fabrication, represents an additional $143m investment in the state, the developers stated.