Massachusetts leaders join Crowley to celebrate the opening of the Salem offshore wind terminal

(MENAFN- PR Newswire) The terminal will advance clean energy goals in the state and support future floating turbines in the Gulf of Maine

SALEM, Massachusetts, Aug. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Massachusetts
Governor Maura Healey and Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, along with Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo, joined Crowley Wind Services President and CEO Bob Karl and other leaders to celebrate a major milestone today with the groundbreaking ceremony for the Salem Offshore Wind Terminal. This project involves transforming a former coal and oil-fired power plant into Massachusetts’ second wind port, which will propel the state toward its clean energy goals and accelerate the construction of next-generation wind farms. The terminal is being built to support the construction of offshore wind farms in New England and future floating turbines in the Gulf of Maine.

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Crowley joined by federal, state and local partners at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Salem Offshore Wind Terminal.

Crowley also announced today that the company has hired Massachusetts-based joint venture DW White JF White to serve as the general contractor for the project. The contractor has signed a project labor agreement with North Shore Building and Construction Trades and the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (NASRCC).

“Following the allocation of $389 million in federal funding for offshore wind transmission in Somerset, the expansion of the port in New Bedford, and now the groundbreaking in Salem, Massachusetts is well-positioned to support the growing offshore wind industry,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These infrastructure investments are boosting the local economy, creating union jobs, and transforming the way we deliver power to our homes and businesses. Credit Lt. Governor Driscoll for her vision, Mayor Pangallo for securing a strong Community Benefits Agreement, and the many other stakeholders who are making the leap to offshore wind.”

“I am excited to finally see the Salem Offshore Wind Terminal move from an idea to a reality. During my tenure, it became clear that Salem, with its rich maritime heritage and vibrant community, was a natural choice to become a major offshore wind hub,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. . “As we face pressing environmental challenges and drive local economic growth, it’s inspiring to see Salem leading the way. This is a proud moment for our city, and I’m honored to witness our vision come to fruition.”

In February 2023, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), Crowley Wind Services and the City of Salem announced
A major agreement for the transfer of ownership, site improvements, and ongoing operations at the Salem Offshore Wind Terminal. This terminal will be one of the few locations capable of supporting the construction and installation of both fixed and floating offshore wind projects. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, MassCEC, and the U.S. Maritime Administration have partnered with Crowley and the City of Salem for the terminal.

“The Salem Wind Terminal will be a historic achievement, and we appreciate the trust and collaboration of the City of Salem, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the U.S. Maritime Administration to create a world-class wind terminal that reliably and safely meets the supply chain needs of the wind energy industry,” said Tom Crowley, President and CEO of Crowley Corporation. “This public-private partnership in Salem can be a model for communities and industry to follow in meeting our commitments to create renewable and sustainable energy.”

The terminal will offer employment opportunities and will prioritize hiring local residents, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. This will include about 150 jobs during construction and at least eight long-term Crowley employees to manage the terminal during operations, with an additional 20 to 30 jobs to operate and maintain the facility during peak periods. When projects are underway, 60 to 150 jobs, from engineers to construction workers, will also be available through our tenants and their contractors. Because building the workforce for this new industry is critical, Crowley has already partnered with the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and Salem High School to provide vocational training.

“We appreciate the trust and collaboration that many local, state and federal stakeholders have placed in Crowley Wind Services to develop and operate the Salem Offshore Wind Terminal as a leading maritime and logistics services hub to help Massachusetts and New England achieve their clean energy goals,” said Karl, president and CEO of Crowley Wind Services Holdings LLC, a joint venture between Crowley and Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners focused on repurposing and operating existing U.S. port facilities to support wind energy. “The terminal will provide an essential nexus that supports our customers and the broader supply chain on our path to delivering low-cost renewable energy. The partnerships we have established across the industry will provide critical investment and jobs in Salem and the North Coast for the next generation.”

Crowley will be responsible for the redevelopment and operation of the terminal. They have signed a lease with MassCEC to use the site as an offshore wind hub port, with a focus on projects for Massachusetts. The City of Salem has also leased a dock and surrounding land for this purpose. Crowley Wind Services will improve the site by adding heavy equipment infrastructure, constructing a new boat dock, modernizing the city’s existing dock, and dredging the harbor channel. The wind port is expected to begin operations in 2026.

“Turning this site from a dirty oil and coal-fired plant into a state-of-the-art offshore wind terminal demonstrates what we can accomplish when government, industry and communities work together,” said Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Rebecca Tepper. . “Instead of hosting air-polluting facilities, Salem will soon be home to a port that will bring good jobs and exciting new industry to its shores. Offshore wind is essential to decarbonizing our grid and meeting our ambitious climate goals, and port infrastructure is an important part of that effort.”

“Salem, with its rich coastal heritage, is the perfect location for MassCEC to make a significant investment. By supporting the Salem Offshore Wind Terminal, we are not only revitalizing Salem’s waterfront, but we are also powering the future of clean energy in Massachusetts,” said Massachusetts Clean Energy Center Executive Director Dr. Emily Reichert. “This project reflects our dedication to building essential infrastructure, strengthening our regional supply chain, and fostering the talent that will elevate our state as a national leader in offshore wind.”

“For centuries, when Salem looked to the future, we looked to the sea and what was possible on its distant horizons,” said Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo. “And as a coastal city, we know all too well the cost of inaction when it comes to combating our climate crisis. Now, on the site of one of America’s dirtiest coal-fired power plants, we stand ready to do our part to achieve a clean energy transition that will power our nation’s future, create green jobs, and strengthen our community for generations to come. We are grateful to the Healey-Driscoll administration, Crowley, MassCEC, and our community partners and officials who made this day possible.”

Press contacts:

David DeCamp
Director of Corporate Communications
Crowley
Phone: (904) 727-4263
(email protected)

Torey Vogel
Senior Corporate Communications Specialist
Crowley
Phone: (904) 726-4536
(email protected)

SOURCE Crowley

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