Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker committed the state to invest $100 million into the development of three ports aiming to advance the growth of the offshore wind sector.
Governor Baker highlighted the success with the start of the Vineyard Wind project saying that the state will accelerate the development of ports and projects in New Bedford, Salem, and Somerset.
As this offshore wind industry continues to grow, we have to make sure that Massachusetts remains a strong place to build infrastructure that aligns with our goals to be a global leader in this space
Mr. Baker.
With work starting for the Vineyard Wind project which is expected to be online by the end of 2023, the governor and his officials pointed out that New Bedford’s current marshaling yard is already overloaded with work.
The plan calls for building out the ports and supporting new facilities as the state’s first wind projects get underway as well as with the broader goal of playing a longer-term role as other projects proceed along the U.S. East Coast
the Governor added.
Salem will now become the state’s second major offshore wind port and the governor looks to speed the development with $45 million from his supplemental budget.
The money will support the plan for a second major marshaling yard to be located in Salem to back the Commonwealth Wind project.
What is more, Vineyard Wind and the City of Salem with Crowley Maritime previously entered into an agreement to develop facilities at Salem. Similarly, at New Bedford, Foss Maritime committed to the development of a maritime terminal to support offshore operations. In Somerset, there is a plan to develop the state’s first offshore wind manufacturing facility for subsea transmission cables.
