Ørsted Proposes New Connecticut Offshore Wind Farm to Power State’s Clean Energy Future, Drive Job Creation
America’s Offshore Wind Leader Plans to Stage Starboard Wind from New London, Building on Connecticut’s Position as Key U.S. Offshore Wind Hub
HARTFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Connecticut’s offshore wind leader Ørsted today announced submission of its proposed project, Starboard Wind, to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Utilizing the New London State Pier for staging and assembly, Starboard Wind would power more than 600,000 homes in the state and advance Connecticut toward its clean energy goals.
Ørsted’s proposed 1,184-megawatt (MW) Starboard Wind project would deliver clean and reliable offshore wind power to Connecticut at stable and predictable pricing for decades. The project would bring nearly $420 million of direct investment and expenditure to Connecticut, driving in-state and regional job creation while bolstering State Pier’s key role in the U.S. offshore wind supply chain.
“Connecticut is a critical hub in the U.S. offshore wind market thanks to its early investments and foresight, and Starboard Wind will further strengthen the state’s leadership in this important new American energy industry,” said David Hardy, Ørsted Group EVP and CEO Americas. “In addition to fostering additional economic development, job creation, and innovative partnerships with local universities and organizations, we want to ‘make it here’ in Connecticut by providing opportunities for local businesses and workers to participate in the emerging domestic offshore wind supply chain. We look forward to working with our local partners to deliver a project that would be strategic for both the state and the New England region.”
Starboard Wind would result in more than 800 full-time equivalent positions, including many new jobs at New London’s State Pier. Starboard Wind has a cost-benefit ratio of over 1.7:1, meaning that for every dollar invested in the project, Connecticut will receive over $1.70 of benefits in jobs and investments, improved energy-system reliability, and environmental benefits.
Starboard Wind would fund a range of community investments and partnerships in Connecticut, including more than $50 million to support the state’s workforce and supplier diversity, inclusive workforce training, innovation, higher education and research, environmental justice, and biodiversity.
Ørsted and Eversource are currently building Revolution Wind, Connecticut’s first offshore wind farm, marshaling the project out of State Pier. Starboard Wind would build on Revolution Wind’s investments and accomplishments and advance the state toward its goal of 100 percent clean energy by 2040.
“New London is the Northeast’s offshore wind hub, and Ørsted is a large part of the reason why,” said New London Mayor Michael Passero. “Ørsted has not only been instrumental in transforming the State Pier into a state-of-the-art offshore wind staging location, but also invested in our workforce and developed partnerships in our communities. I’m proud to be their neighbor.”
“Ørsted has been a true friend to Connecticut’s hardworking union construction workers,” said Keith Brothers, President of the Connecticut State Building Trades Council. “From their use of union labor at the New London State Pier to supporting the creation of training programs and certifications for work in the offshore wind sector at our Building Trades Training Institute, Ørsted is a prime example of a responsible, high-road employer. I urge DEEP to keep this in mind as they evaluate the proposals they receive.”
“In addition to helping our state achieve its clean energy goals through this proposal, Ørsted is also pledging to support our critical work providing energy assistance and community services for low-income households,” said Joshua Kelly, CEO of the Thames Valley Council for Community Action. “This improves the quality of life for those who need it most—it’s both exceptional and moving to have a company like Ørsted express such care for individuals and community.”
“Ørsted’s dedication to education has been impressive,” said Annemarie Seifert, Campus Dean and Chief Administrative Officer at University of Connecticut Avery Point. “From supporting a multi-year fisheries research program to ongoing opportunities for our students, and even a community lecture series, Ørsted has been a wonderful partner. We couldn’t be happier that they hope to provide additional clean energy for our state and look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts for a sustainable future.”
“SCSU is proud to partner with Orsted, and we’re thrilled that they have decided to submit this proposal,” said Suzanne Huminski, Associate Director of Sustainability at Southern Connecticut State University. “By supporting critical research in marine biodiversity, ecological resilience, and offshore wind workforce development, Ørsted has fostered invaluable opportunities for SCSU’s highly diverse student body to accelerate the renewable energy transformation already underway in Connecticut. We are certain the state will find immense value in continuing their partnership with Ørsted as well.”
Onshore construction is underway for the 704 MW Revolution Wind project, with offshore construction to begin in the coming months. Revolution Wind will deliver 304 MW of clean, affordable offshore wind power to Connecticut and another 400 MW to Rhode Island, powering more than 350,000 New England homes. The project is expected to be in operation in 2025.
As part of Revolution Wind, Ørsted and its partners have already:
- Invested more than $100 million in infrastructure improvements to redevelop the New London State Pier, turning the pier into a regional offshore wind turbine staging and assembly hub and creating more than 400 local union jobs.
- Created more than 50 local union jobs for turbine staging and assembly at the State Pier for South Fork Wind. Additional jobs will be necessary as Revolution Wind progresses.
- Invested more than $5 million for in-state education, research, and workforce development initiatives, partnering with the Mystic Aquarium, Project Oceanology, UConn Avery Point, and more.
Additional information about Ørsted and Starboard Wind can be found at us.orsted.com/starboard-wind.
About Ørsted
A global clean energy leader, Ørsted develops, constructs, and operates offshore and land-based wind farms, solar farms, energy storage facilities, and bioenergy plants. Ørsted was the first energy company in the world to have its science-based net-zero emissions target validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and is recognized as the world’s most sustainable energy company in the Corporate Knights Global 100 index.
In the United States, the company has a portfolio of clean energy assets and partnerships that includes offshore wind energy, land-based wind energy, solar, battery storage and e-fuels. Ørsted is a U.S. leader in offshore wind energy with approximately 3 gigawatts in development and operates America’s first offshore wind farm, located off the coast of Block Island. Ørsted has a total U.S. land-based capacity of 5 gigawatts across wind, solar, storage technologies and e-fuels. To learn more about the Ørsted U.S. business, visit us.orsted.com or follow the company on Twitter (@OrstedUS), Instagram, and Facebook.
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