CONTRACT SHOWS POTENTIAL FOR OFFSHORE WIND TO EXPAND OTHER EXISTING BUSINESSES IN NEW BEDFORD AND THE REGION
(NEW BEDFORD, MA) – Vineyard Wind, a joint venture between AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR), and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), today announced that it has signed a partnership with Shoreline Offshore, a joint venture between the Quinn Family, a longtime member of the fisher community in New Bedford and SEA.O.G Offshore a leading integrated logistics provider, to build out a berthing and fueling area for Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs).
Under the terms of the agreement, Vineyard Wind will provide $750k in funding through its Industry Accelerator Fund, which is co-managed by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), to support the acquisition of two floating barges to meet the berthing needs of Vineyard Wind and future developers. The barges will be located on the northern side of Pope’s Island, which is fully protected by the New Bedford Hurricane Barrier, and help developers work during both the construction and operations and maintenance phases of the different projects. In addition to the barges, Shoreline Offshore will upgrade its existing facilities, including the addition of fuel tanks and other infrastructure needed to serve New Bedford’s multiple maritime industries.
“We’re proud to partner with the Quinn family on a unique project that meets the evolving needs of both commercial fishing and offshore wind,” said Vineyard Wind CEO Klaus S. Moeller. “By expanding the capability of this site, we not only secure a great location for our vessels, we also are improving facilities that can serve other fishing vessels and increase fueling capacity of the harbor – a win-win for both of New Bedford’s vitally important industries.”
Once installed, the floats will be able to berth up to six CTVs and meet the specifications of the offshore wind industry, with access to a fueling station, potable water, ramp, and full security. This project will also increase fueling capacity in the New Bedford Harbor, which is currently limited to one terminal.
“This project provides the capacity for the offshore wind industry to efficiently utilize the New Bedford Harbor while also ensuring New Bedford’s commercial fishing industry can continue operating within the New Bedford Harbor with little to no interruptions,” said Charles Quinn, President of Quinn Fisheries, who has been working within New Bedford’s commercial fishing industry for more than 35 years. “By expanding space through increased berthing spaces and increased fueling capacity, we’re supplying two key components that both industries need, so that both can flourish.”
“The New Bedford Ocean Cluster is committed to ensuring local businesses are included in the development of the offshore wind industry in New Bedford,” said Jennifer Downing, Executive Director of the New Bedford Ocean Cluster. “News of this project is particularly exciting because we’re seeing a longstanding family business in New Bedford entering a new market and contributing to the growth of offshore wind, but also a project that will demonstrate the economic benefits of commercial collaboration between two port industries.”
“The investment from the Vineyard Wind Accelerator Program in the Shoreline Offshore facility represents yet another great example of the advancement of the offshore wind supply chain in the Commonwealth,” said Jennifer Daloisio, CEO of MassCEC. “This project will leverage additional MassCEC funding recently announced for the expansion and improvement of port facilities to serve offshore wind.”
Shoreline Offshore is currently working on final designs and permitting for the fuel terminal and expects it to be installed and operational by April 2023. The company is also committed to contracting as much of this local infrastructure project as possible to local companies and has already retained the services of local companies in the planning of this project.
Vineyard Wind, an 800-megawatt project located 15 miles off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard, will generate electricity for more than 400,000 homes and businesses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, create 3,600 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) job years, save customers $1.4 billion over the first 20 years of operation, and is expected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 1.6 million metric tons per year, the equivalent of taking 325,000 cars off the road annually.
Vineyard Wind will begin delivering clean energy to Massachusetts in 2023.
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About Vineyard Wind
Vineyard Wind LLC is an offshore wind development company that is building the first commercial-scale offshore wind energy project in the U.S., to be located 15 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard. Vineyard Wind 1, based in New Bedford, Massachusetts, is 50 percent owned by funds of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) and 50 percent by Avangrid Renewables, a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR). For more information, visit www.vineyardwind.com.
About the Quinn Family and Shoreline Offshore
Charles and Michael Quinn have more than 50 years' experience in the commercial fishing industry and supporting services, including commercial fishing, boat fabrication and repair, fueling, and general construction. The creation of Popes Island Passenger terminal along with their recent rehabilitation of Shoreline Marine Terminal North (Revere Copper) illustrates their commitment to the economic development and continued growth of New Bedford's marine industrial economy and commercial fishing industry. Shoreline Offshore was created in 2022 to connect the emerging offshore wind industry with local businesses in and around New Bedford through one central entity. Shoreline Offshore's mission is to ensure New Bedford's local marine-based businesses are included in the continued growth of New Bedford's marine economy.
About MassCEC
The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) is dedicated to growing the Commonwealth’s clean energy economy while helping to meet clean energy, climate, and economic development goals. Since its inception in 2009, MassCEC has helped clean energy companies grow, supported municipal clean energy projects, and invested in residential and commercial renewable energy installations, creating a robust marketplace for innovative clean technology companies and service providers.
