Wind turbines are environmentally friendly methods of generating energy, and it is great that they are catching on. The state of Maryland in the US is getting in on wind turbines as Orsted is setting up Skipjack Wind 1 offshore farm that will produce 120 MW and power 40,000 homes.
Apart from being a sustainable energy source, the project that will generate about 1400 jobs is worth $225 million in investments. Attached is another $20 million facilities for maintenance of the Skipjack Wind 1 installation.
Orsted will locate the farm 19 miles from the shores of the Delmarva Peninsula. It will come online in 2026.
The project will use GE’s Haliade-X 12 MW wind turbines.
The maintenance facility, which will be emission-free, is situated in Ocean City. It will create about 110 jobs and make Ocean City a hub for offshore wind jobs and other economic activities.
From the facility, Crew Transfer Vehicles will take off to service the wind farm. It will include a warehouse and office space for Orsted’s operation in the region. Some staff will live on the premises permanently, including maintenance technicians, operations staff, and engineers. There is no timeline yet, but it is safe to assume it will be completed before the farm itself.
Since all its operation is zero-emission, the CTVs are emission-free and will dock at the facility.
There has been opposition to the project, as some residents including the mayor of Ocean City, complain the presence of the turbines will ruin their view of the horizon.
”As the global leader in offshore wind energy, Ørsted firmly believes that the Ocean City community deserves full access to the incredible promise of this new American industry,” said David Hardy, CEO of Ørsted Offshore North America.
”We are excited to fulfill another commitment made to the State of Maryland and look forward to working with Ocean City residents, including its local fishing community, to make this a project that benefits all.”
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