Bay State Wind Lays Foundation for Development of Offshore Wind Industry

When developer Deepwater Wind started the first offshore wind project in the US, they were confronted with various difficulties. Due to the lack of a supply chain, the first step was to find companies that took the risk of entering a completely new industry. Then there was a lack of trained personnel and training opportunities specifically geared to offshore needs.

This will change in the future when more offshore wind farms will be built in U.S. waters in the coming years. Offshore world market leader Ørsted and local energy supplier Eversource are currently working intensively as Bay State Wind to establish corresponding structures in the US, that have been standard in Europe for years.

The city of Bedford was chosen as the location for a training centre for future offshore wind workers. Unions and training facilities in the area have been brought on board early, including the Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Iron Workers Union (Ironworkers). Bristol Community College and the Massachusetts Maritime Academy are also supporting the efforts to build a new industry. With their help, the workers are to ensure the implementation of a planned wind farm 25 miles off the coast of Massachusetts. Another project could be realized 15 miles off the coast of Martha's Vineyard - provided the contracts for the construction are awarded to Bay State Wind in the bidding process.

“We are very happy to be working with Bay State Wind, which is the only offshore wind developer that is committing to become a true Massachusetts company, by training and hiring local union labor,” said Mike Monahan of the IBEW, according to SouthCoast Today.

The BlueGreen Alliance, which wants to promote the interests of workers and environmental protection at the same time, was also exited about the plans. CEO Kim Glas said: “Offshore wind has tremendous potential to create and sustain quality, union jobs, and the announcement today by Bay State Wind is just another example of that. We’re excited to see the partnership between Bay State Wind and the Utility Workers, IBEW, and the Ironworkers, which will ensure the jobs created by this project pay fair wages, have strong benefits, and ensure health and safety protections for workers on the job.

“We are especially excited about the potential of a training center dedicated to preparing the workforce to operate and maintain offshore wind projects for years to come. We applaud the Utility Workers, Bristol Community College, and Bay State Wind for their foresight and dedication to ensuring the industry has the trained workforce required to help drive America forward toward a clean, renewable energy future.”

Bay State Wind expects to employ up to 1,000 people during the construction phase of the wind farm and later create 100 permanent jobs over the 25-year life span of the turbines, with an operating and maintenance base also located in New Bedford.