Offshore

Maryland ups offshore wind target to 8.5 GW by 2035

Maryland ups offshore wind target to 8.5 GW by 2035
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has increased the state's offshore wind target from 2 GW to 8.5 GW by 2035. (Courtesy: Maryland Governor's Office)

Maryland has quadrupled its offshore wind target, from 2 GW to 8.5 GW, as the state aims to achieve 100% clean energy by 2035.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) announced the initiative at the International Offshore Wind Partnering Forum in Baltimore. Moore said his administration is working to establish new lease areas and strengthen the offshore wind supply chain in pursuit of the goal.

“Maryland is rich in natural assets, institutional strength, numerous offshore wind energy partnerships, and a thriving workforce–and I believe if we work together, our state will lead the country in offshore wind energy production," Moore said at the forum.

Maryland is working to elevate a partnership between U.S Wind and Tradepoint Atlantic to build an offshore wind manufacturing yard at Sparrows Point in Baltimore, the location of a former Bethlehem Steel plant. International offshore wind heavyweight Ørsted has committed to using Tradepoint Atlantic as a logistics hub to assemble advanced foundation components for offshore wind turbines using materials produced on the Eastern Shore at Crystal Steel.

Taken as a whole, the partnerships could create nearly 15,000 jobs. 

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Maryland Commerce Secretary Kevin Anderson said the state is working "one-on-one" with the offshore wind industry to "better understand their challenges and opportunities, and help them thrive" in the state.

The Maryland Department of Commerce has created a dedicated position to ensure industry access to an array of state resources and create an environment conducive to startups, attracting investment and assisting established firms with growth, expansion, and workforce development. 

The Maryland Energy Administration will also focus on delivering more grants to companies that form key connections along the offshore wind supply chain, including those that develop turbines, blades, cables, and other mechanical parts, the Governor's Office said.

Jeff Grybowski, CEO of US Wind, which is building the MarWin and Momentum Wind projects offshore Maryland, called Governor Moore's announcement a "homerun for the people of Maryland."