Written by: The Oceantic Network
The offshore wind industry’s success has often been driven by companies who got their start outside of offshore wind. A massive variety of businesses have come together to get the industry where it is today.
One such company is Burns & McDonnell, an engineering consulting firm. A little more than seven years ago, Burns & McDonnell had not been involved in the offshore wind industry. Today, the engineering firm is involved in roughly 80% of U.S. projects across a range of activities.
Shipbuilders and related companies are also in high demand for offshore wind. Another great example of a successful pivot to offshore wind can be seen in Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company (GLDD), which has been in operation for over 130 years. Last year, they held a steel cutting ceremony for the Acadia, the first U.S. built subsea rock installation vessel. GLDD is filling a critical role in the U.S. supply chain and seeing success for their business while contributing to clean energy for the future.
More new companies are getting their start in offshore wind every day. Governor Healey has repeatedly said that her administration is “all in” on offshore wind, and the MA Clean Energy Center announced last August over $18 million in grants to 44 Massachusetts organizations. The funding is to help train workers in offshore wind and offer specific supports for minority- and women-owned businesses. From the federal government, the US Department of Energy recently announced an award of 4.35 million dollars to U Mass Amherst’s Academic Center for Reliability and Resilience of Offshore Wind (ARROW) along with approximately 40 partners. That funding will focus on workforce development, targeted research, and partnerships and strategies to embed equity in offshore wind development. All of this funding and focus will help businesses on the North Shore and across MA get involved and get ready.
If you think your company or organization may have a place in the offshore wind industry, attend the upcoming Offshore Wind Ready Workshop being held by the North Shore Alliance for Economic Development in partnership with Oceantic Network on June 4, 2024, from 10am to 4pm at the Enterprise Center- 121 Loring Avenue, Salem, MA. The workshop is free to attend but registration is required.
https://northshorealliance.org/events/offshore-wind-ready-training-program/
