US Wind revs up offshore wind portfolio on Delmarva Peninsula

As renewable energy takes center stage for Maryland's power grid needs by 2030 and beyond, US Wind has expanded its offshore wind energy plans for the Delmarva Peninsula.

Jeff Grybowski, CEO of US Wind, recently announced major developments for the MarWin project located in a lease-rights area 17 miles off the coast of Ocean City.

The project overview stipulates it will include 22 wind turbines and generate approximately 270 megawatts of energy, enough to power over 80,000 Maryland homes.

"This is specialized technology that's used offshore and there are only a handful of suppliers that can produce a number of these components," Grybowski said. "Part of what we're trying to do at US Wind is build more capacity in the United States to build them domestically."

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Although originally set for completion in 2021, the site is slated to be fully operational by 2025 to serve Delmarva with a life expectancy of 25 years. Once online, US Wind estimates it would have a similar effect as "taking 140,000 cars off the road each year, reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and other harmful air pollutants."

MarWin represents only a fraction of the potential power production as the total lease area of 80,000 acres has the capacity to create 1,500 megawatts. That is tantamount to energy used by more than half a million homes.

Economically, the MarWin project brings with it an estimated 3,000 jobs to the area with US Wind looking to labor unions to fill many of the positions. That comes at an investment cost of over $75 million to Maryland ports, and revitalizing the state’s industrial waterfront.

"Having a workforce is an important part of the business," Grybowski said. "We're working with community organizations and the Arcon Training Center is a great example of the kind of facility our industry needs. Salisbury is a great example of investment." 

Future development

The renewable energy company considers MarWin only the first phase of a plan that doubles down with additional offshore wind farms and even a manufacturing center.

Sparrows Point Steel, a new steel fabrication facility in Baltimore County at the Tradepoint Atlantic site, would produce the company's turbine components for such expansion.

The Momentum Wind Project is expected to produce an additional 1,200 megawatts of offshore energy via 82 turbines just to the west of MarWin and will be among the state's largest energy projects. Upon completion, it could fully satisfy the state’s offshore wind energy goals.

"We've just recently proposed that project to the state of Maryland and we're hoping the state will make a decision and give us approval for that project by December of this year," Grybowski said.

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Investing in the renewable energy of Maryland means leaving an economic impact that includes:

• Approximately 3,500 in direct construction jobs.
• Over $300 million in construction labor income from direct jobs.
• Approximately 100 direct operations jobs.
• Over $500 million in operations labor income via direct jobs over 25 years.
• 500 local, permanent jobs at the Sparrows Point Steel when fully operational.
• $1 billion in labor income over 20 years.
• An estimated $6.9 billion increase  in Maryland’s Gross Domestic Product.

The impetus behind the move to "green" energy across Maryland stems from the state’s solicitation of up to 1,200 megawatts of offshore wind energy in the passage of the Clean Energy Jobs Act of 2019.

“The state of Maryland is proud to support this transformative and game-changing partnership between US Wind and Tradepoint Atlantic,” said Gov. Larry Hogan. “Offshore wind presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to expand and diversify our economy and our energy portfolio. Maryland is proud to continue to be an example, and I am confident that we will be a leader in offshore wind development for decades.”

The political push

With Maryland boasting 3,190 miles of coastline according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, using renewable energy to reduce the overall carbon footprint and battle climate change in the state is not a new idea.

On the other hand, becoming the first state with a net zero carbon footprint would.

“Investing in renewable energy sources like offshore wind will not only help us tackle the threats of climate change but will also create thousands of clean energy jobs and boost Maryland’s economy,” said Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md.

The impact of offshore wind energy was a win for the economy, environment and Maryland workers, he added.

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Van Hollen noted he continues working at the federal level to support "responsible" offshore wind development and a Clean Energy Standard to incentivize renewable sources.

“This (project) further solidifies Maryland’s position as a national leader in creating clean energy jobs in our state,” said Sen. Ben Cardin, D-MD. “Offshore wind will help fulfill President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda to recover the economy and our national greenhouse gas emissions reduction commitment to combat climate change.”

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