Offshore wind developer US Wind has welcomed the passage of the Clean Energy Jobs Act of 2019 by the Maryland General Assembly which provides for an additional 1200MW of offshore wind capacity off the US state.
The Act says new offshore wind capacity is required beginning with at least 400MW in 2026, increasing to at least 800MW in 2028, and to at least 1.2GW in 2030.
US Wind country manager Salvo Vitale testified last month before the Senate Finance Committee and House Economic Matters Committee urging passage of the legislation.
He cited the economic benefits that the legislation would make possible by incentivising the additional offshore wind energy off the coast of Maryland.
Vitale said: “With the passage of the Clean Energy Jobs Act of 2019, Maryland is reclaiming its leadership position in the fast-developing offshore wind energy sector underway in the US.
“The benefits are many and will prove transformational to Maryland’s economy: 5000-7000 direct jobs, an additional $18 million to be deposited in the Offshore Wind Business Development Fund, approximately $5bn in new capital expenditures; and thousands of tonnes more of carbon emissions reduced or avoided altogether.”
US Wind was successful in securing the federal lease to develop approximately 1000MW of offshore wind energy through a competitive bid process.
In May 2017, US Wind’s project was approved to receive offshore renewable energy credits (ORECs) for an initial phase, involving the placement of approximately 32 wind turbines in federal water off the coast of Maryland, as far east in its federally-designated wind energy area as is practical.
The construction phase of US Wind’s 270MW MarWin project, to be operational in 2021, will create around 1298 direct jobs and will generate over $370 million in economic development activity in Baltimore City and Baltimore County, according to the developer.
The maintenance of the wind farm over its estimated operational life of 20-25 years, it expected to create just over 4000 jobs.
On behalf of US Wind Vitale also paid tribute to Speaker Michael Busch who led the House of Delegates for sixteen years and passed away recently, describing him as a “champion of renewable energy in the state of Maryland.”
“We are grateful to all of the members of the Maryland General Assembly who have reasserted Maryland’s leadership by supporting this historic legislation and urge Governor Hogan to sign it into law without hesitation,” said Vitale.