Vineyard Wind submits plans for east coast offshore wind hub

Vineyard Wind chief executive Lars Thaaning Pedersen said, “Park City Wind is a tremendous opportunity to revitalise Bridgeport by creating thousands of jobs with benefits in both the wind industry and throughout the local supply chain. By selecting our project, the state will help make offshore wind a state-wide industry, similar to aerospace.”

The company said Park City Wind has the potential to establish Bridgeport as an American hub for the emerging US offshore wind industry. “The potential for real, long-term economic growth is enormous” it claimed. “Over the last two years, states from Virginia to Massachusetts have announced plans to procure 22 GW of offshore wind power, which represents an US$85Bn economic and investment opportunity. Bridgeport can play an integral role in both Connecticut and different project opportunities up and down the east coast.

“Our commitment to Connecticut is significant,” continued Mr Pedersen. “We see a future with thriving ports in both New London and Bridgeport and manufacturers in every corner of the state working to literally lift this industry off the ground in the US. If Park City Wind is selected, the jobs and economic opportunities created by this project will be available in the region for decades to come.”

In order to generate high levels of economic activity, Vineyard Wind has proposed hundreds of millions of dollars in investments in Connecticut, including transforming Barnum Landing, an 18.3-acre site it would redevelop with McAllister Towing and Transportation to host hundreds of local workers hired to fabricate foundations and transition pieces; and constructing an operations and maintenance facility in Bridgeport.

McAllister Towing president Buckley McAllister said, “McAllister Towing and The Bridgeport and Port Jefferson Steamboat Company have been a part of Bridgeport’s maritime community for many, many years. We believe that the addition of a thriving offshore wind industry at Bridgeport Harbour will lead to jobs and economic benefits for generations to come.”