Photo courtesy Maryland.gov
Maryland Governor Wes Moore has announced an ambitious plan to significantly expand the state’s offshore wind energy capacity, advancing a key component of Maryland’s goal to transition to 100% clean energy by 2035.
The announcement was made during a keynote speech at the International Offshore Wind Partnering Forum in Baltimore, where the governor shared his vision of Maryland leading the nation in offshore wind energy production.
“Here in Maryland, we can have both a growing economy and lead the way in clean energy,” said Governor Moore. “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.”
The new initiative aims to quadruple the state’s offshore wind energy output from 2 gigawatts to 8.5 gigawatts by 2035, enough to power nearly three million homes. To support the effort, the administration will work to establish new lease areas and strengthen the offshore wind supply chain.
Developers U.S Wind and Tradepoint Atlantic play a key role in the plan by constructing an offshore wind manufacturing yard at Sparrows Point in Baltimore, the site of the former Bethlehem Steel plant. International energy company Orsted has also committed to using Tradepoint Atlantic as a logistics hub for assembling foundation components for offshore wind turbines, with materials sourced from Crystal Steel on the Eastern Shore. The partnerships are expected to create nearly 15,000 jobs.
To ensure opportunities for clean energy businesses, the Maryland Department of Commerce has created a dedicated position that will work closely with the industry to provide access to state resources and foster business growth, investment, and workforce development. Meanwhile, the Maryland Energy Administration will focus on providing grants to companies involved in the offshore wind supply chain, including those developing turbines, blades, cables, and other mechanical components.
“This is a code-red moment in our fight against climate change, and offshore wind will be at the center of our work to supercharge the renewable energy transition,” said Maryland Energy Administration Director Paul Pinsky.
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