Ørsted US Offshore Wind has signed an agreement to develop Maryland’s first offshore wind energy staging centre at Tradepoint Atlantic to support the construction of the Skipjack wind farm.
The agreement is part of Ørsted’s commitment to invest approximately USD13.2 million at Tradepoint Atlantic – a 3,300 acre (1,335.5 ha) logistics site in Baltimore. Improvements will include strengthening ground bearing capacity at the port to allow heavy lift cranes and specialised transport equipment to move wind turbine components, weighing up to 2,000 tons (1,814.4 tonnes).
The offshore wind energy staging centre will cover 50 acres (20.2 ha) – 5 acres (2 ha) of which will be adjacent to Tradepoint’s deepwater inner berth.
Ørsted will receive and load out components at the berth while the remaining space will be reserved for the laydown and assembly of components destined for the Skipjack wind farm, located 19.5 miles (31.4 km) off Maryland’s coast.
Claus Møller, chief operating officer of Ørsted US Offshore Wind, said: “This new centre will create good-paying jobs, leverage Tradepoint Atlantic’s outstanding location and logistical assets, and put Maryland on the map as a global offshore wind industry hub.”
Tradepoint Atlantic chief commercial officer Kerry Doyle added: “Ultimately, because of this new partnership, Tradepoint Atlantic is positioned to become the supply chain leader up and down the East Coast for offshore wind energy.”
The Skipjack wind farm is one of nine Ørsted projects under development or in operation on the USA’s eastern seaboard. The project was awarded offshore wind renewable energy credits by the Maryland Public Service Commission in 2017 and Ørsted plans to begin construction by 2021, with the wind farm coming online in 2022.
