(New Bedford, MA) – Vineyard Offshore, America’s leading offshore wind development company, today highlighted one of the central pillars of its recently submitted Vineyard Wind 2 project, which includes plans to build out an operations and maintenance (O&M) facility in New Bedford. The proposal would create about 50 long-term jobs, including offshore wind technicians, vessel captains, warehouse managers and other careers essential to the operation of a wind farm. Vineyard Offshore will utilize this O&M facility regardless of final bid configurations.

“As the team that developed Vineyard Wind 1, the nation’s first commercial-scale offshore wind project, we’re proud of the impact that we’ve had in New Bedford in recent years,” said Vineyard Offshore CEO Alicia Barton.  “By planting the flag for our O&M facility for the Vineyard Wind 2 project in the city, we believe we can cement New Bedford’s status as a major hub for this emerging industry.”

In March, Vineyard Offshore submitted a proposal for a 1,200 megawatt (MW) offshore wind project to Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island in response to the New England states’ solicitation for up to 6,800 MW of offshore wind capacity.  The “Vineyard Wind 2” proposal builds on the many successes of Vineyard Wind 1 and includes more than 200 letters of support from local officials, suppliers, and stakeholders for all three states that will see positive economic impact from the proposed project. The proposal is further supported by a historic offshore wind tribal benefit agreement recently signed with the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe.  

Vineyard Offshore’s commitment to a New Bedford–based O&M facility builds on years of investment in the city. Starting with the establishment of Vineyard Wind 1 headquarters in the city in 2017, the company has a long history of supporting the community.  As a result of Vineyard Wind 1’s commitment to grow out the local supply chain, Foss Maritime opened this new site in New Bedford and is looking to service the industry for the long term. Vineyard Wind 1 has also brought in ThayerMahan, the first US based company to supply Big Bubble Curtain (BBC) noise mitigation technology for offshore wind development.

“We’re happy to partner with Vineyard Offshore on the Vineyard Wind 2 proposal,” said Andrew Saunders, President of the New Bedford Foss Marine Terminal. “This O&M facility is here for the long term. There are kids sitting in a middle school classroom today who can have a well-paid job in offshore wind—here in New Bedford—for the entirety of their career. As a New Bedford native, working in an industry with a lasting and positive impact on my community is truly meaningful.”

Vineyard Wind 2 will deliver enough clean and reliable energy to the New England grid to power more than 650,000 homes, starting in 2031. The project will avoid 2.1 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per year across the region, equivalent to taking 414,000 cars off the road, as well as improve air quality and reduce pollution-related health costs and environmental impacts. The offshore wind facility will be located 29 miles south of Nantucket in lease area OCS-522, which is held by funds managed by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), for which Vineyard Offshore serves as U.S. development partner.  

“By making effective use of ports, facilities, and interconnection points throughout the region, Vineyard Wind 2 offers the most economic project configuration possible while delivering economic benefits for all three states,” added Barton.  

Development of Vineyard Wind 2 will generate approximately $2.3 billion in direct expenditure and 3,800 job-years of employment across New England, with over $1.5 billion realized in Massachusetts, along with 80% of regional employment. Electricity market impacts and other benefits totaling as much as $4.8 billion over 20 years from adding 1,200 MW of offshore wind to the New England grid include $600 million from reduced wholesale electricity market rates and avoidance of winter price spikes.  

In addition, Vineyard Wind 2 will provide up to $37.5 million in directly funded initiatives to promote a diverse and inclusive offshore wind workforce and supply chain, position the region as a global climate innovation lab, address energy burdens in low- and moderate-income households, and advance regional research efforts in fisheries and the environment.  

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About Vineyard Offshore

Vineyard Offshore is leading the development of two lease areas in the Northeast, in addition to a lease area off the coast of Northern California, OCS-P 0562. Lease area OCS-A 522, known as Vineyard Northeast, is located off the coast of Massachusetts. OCS-A 544, known as Vineyard Mid-Atlantic and home to the Excelsior Wind Project, is located in the New York Bight. Combined with its joint venture development of the first-in-the-nation offshore wind project, Vineyard Wind 1, now under construction, Vineyard Offshore has the potential to develop more than 6 gigawatts of clean, renewable and affordable energy on the East and West Coasts of the United States.  To learn more, visit: www.vineyardoffshore.com.

About Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners  

CIP manages 12 funds and has to date raised approximately EUR 28 billion for investments in energy and associated infrastructure from more than 160 international institutional investors. CIP has approximately 500 employees and 12 offices around the world. For more information, visit www.cip.com.

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Media Contact: press@vineyardoffshore.com