The developers of Maryland’s two offshore wind projects have put out a call to local companies: “We want you.”
U.S. Wind and Orsted are working to develop a supply chain of companies that will construct, operate and maintain the nearly 50 offshore wind turbines set to be built off the coast of Ocean City. The developers are looking for small and large companies specializing in an array of services, from metal fabrication to support vessels and underwater cable installation.
And with a charge from Maryland’s Public Service Commission, to spend, invest and hire locally, the developers are particularly interested in working with companies based in the state or looking to open facilities here.
Representatives from each of the development firms spoke to potential supply partners at an event in Tradepoint Atlantic on Wednesday in an effort to make connections and build a supply chain — one of the next major steps required to bring the projects to life.
Developers U.S. Wind and Orsted were selected by the PSC in May 2017 to build a wind farm in two wind energy areas that make up 80,000 acres off the Ocean City coastline. In total, the projects have the potential to create over 7,000 new, largely blue collar jobs, in fields such as welding, engineering, electrical work and others.