RI offshore wind farm developers pledge $4.5M for wind energy education

Orsted US Offshore Wind and Eversource, which is developing Rhode Island’s Revolution Wind project, have pledged $4.5 million to support offshore wind education and supply chain development.

“Orsted and Eversource’s commitments, as part of their Revolution Wind offshore wind farm, will expand our efforts already underway to build our talent pool and provide opportunities for college students in Rhode Island to study for a career in offshore wind,” Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo said. “When they are ready to work, we will have plenty of jobs for them in our growing offshore wind supply chain, right here in Rhode Island.”

Orsted and Eversource will make a $3 million investment in higher education around offshore wind programs led by the University of Rhode Island, a national leader in ocean engineering, environmental science, and other marine-related fields. They will also invest an additional $1.5 million to the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation and the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training to support the development of Rhode Island’s offshore wind supply chain and workforce.

“Revolution Wind is the exciting next chapter for offshore wind in the state that launched this new American industry,” Orsted US Offshore Wind Co-CEO Jeffrey Grybowski said. “We stand ready to make major investments in our home state to make sure Rhode Island students, and the state’s supply chain, are ready for this new clean-jobs sector.”

In February, National Grid filed its proposed power-purchase contract with Orsted and Eversource for the 400-megawatt (MW) Revolution Wind offshore wind farm. It is still pending with the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission for review. The investments are subject to the PUC’s decision on the project, which is expected by June 1. If approved, Revolution Wind will generate approximately one-quarter of all the electricity used by Rhode Islanders annually. Construction work on Revolution Wind could begin next year with completion slated for 2023. The wind farm will be located in federal waters approximately 15 miles southeast of the New England coast.

“The Revolution Wind project will help Rhode Island secure a cleaner and more affordable energy future,” State Energy Commissioner Carol Grant said. “Orsted’s investments in higher education and workforce development will provide a much-needed pathway for people who want to be ready for the fast-growing offshore wind industry and capture the many job opportunities that will be here soon.”

The project was originally developed by Deepwater Wind but has since been acquired by Orsted. It is expected to create more than 800 direct construction jobs and 50 permanent jobs.

“As the home of the country’s first offshore wind farm, Rhode Island is a pioneer in this important field,” Rhode Island Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor. “It is imperative that we continue to invest in the educational and workforce initiatives that will strengthen Rhode Island’s position as the epicenter of the offshore wind industry, and this funding contributes in exactly this way.”