Semco Marine to Create Offshore Wind Service and Maintenance Hub in Massachusetts

Denmark-based Semco Maritime has announced a partnership with Vineyard Wind, developer of the United States’ first full-scale offshore wind farm, to create an offshore wind service and maintenance hub in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

Vineyard Wind is a joint venture between Avangrid Renewables, a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR), and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP). The company currently has 1,604 MW of offshore wind energy capacity under development for Massachusetts and Connecticut with its Vineyard Wind 1, the nation’s first full-scale project, and also its Park City Wind project. It’s now also submitted plans for an additional project in Massachusetts, known as “Commonwealth Wind”, which would offer approximately 1,200 MW of renewable power generation.

Under the terms of the agreement with Vineyard Wind, Semco Maritime will create a world class service and maintenance hub in New Bedford and hire up to 40 people in the coming years, including local residents for a variety of positions. The partnership agreement is contingent on Commonwealth Wind being selected by the state in the most recent round of solicitation for offshore wind energy.

Vineyard Wind also announced that Semco has been selected as the preferred supplier for maintenance of the foundations and electric service platform (ESP) for the company’s Vineyard Wind 1 project, which recently achieved financial close.

“We’re very proud of the way we’ve been able to leverage our leading position in the U.S. to maximize the local potential of the offshore wind industry, and our partnership with Semco Maritime is a perfect example,” said Vineyard Wind CEO Lars T. Pedersen. “While our Commonwealth Wind proposal has benefits for people across the state, we know that New Bedford will continue to be a critical hub for the industry for decades to come. This partnership builds on the work we’ve done in the city and brings new direct investment and additional good paying, long-term jobs for local residents”.

The partnership gives Semco Maritime the ability to work with other projects and developers. If Semco Maritime is successful in working with other parties, the number of potential jobs may increase further.

“Vineyard Wind is a true pioneer in US offshore wind, and we’re proud of this partnership, which marks an important milestone for us and establishes Semco Maritime as the first full scope offshore wind maintenance provider in the US. We look forward to cooperating with Vineyard Wind and local stakeholders to contribute to the positive development of New Bedford and the community,” said Semco Maritime, CEO Steen Brødbæk”.

Commonwealth Wind is a newly proposed offshore wind project submitted to Massachusetts’ third competitive offshore wind solicitation. If awarded, Commonwealth Wind will be developed in an area 22 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard that was designated by the federal government in 2015 following a multi-year stakeholder process. The project proposed to deliver up to 1,200 MW of clean and affordable energy to Massachusetts, power 750,000 homes in Massachusetts.

“Semco Maritime is an internationally recognized energy company that has been a leader in offshore wind since the industry’s early days in Denmark,” New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell said. “SEMCO’s interest in establishing a maintenance hub here reflects the industry’s recognition of New Bedford’s leadership in the emerging American market, and the company’s commitment to excellence would certainly strengthen our overall position.”

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