Governor Wes Moore announced major offshore wind energy initiatives to build a more economically competitive state.
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To move Maryland toward achieving its 100% clean energy goal by 2035, Governor Moore announced that Maryland will significantly increase its offshore wind output and prioritize wind energy partnerships to position Maryland to be the country’s leader in offshore wind production.
“Here in Maryland, we can have both a growing economy and lead the way in clean energy,” said Governor Moore.
“Maryland is rich in natural assets, institutional strength, numerous offshore wind energy partnerships and a thriving workforce–and I believe if we work together, our state will lead the country in offshore wind energy production.”
The governor presented his vision during a plenary keynote on March 29 at the International Offshore Wind Partnering Forum in Baltimore.
To move Maryland toward achieving the goal of 100% clean energy by 2035, the governor announced that Maryland will aim to quadruple the amount of energy produced by offshore wind from about 2 gigawatts to 8.5 gigawatts of power, which is enough to power nearly three million homes.
To support the effort, the administration is working to establish new lease areas and strengthen the offshore wind supply chain.
Governor Moore is also elevating a key partnership between U.S Wind and Tradepoint Atlantic to build an offshore wind manufacturing yard at Sparrows Point in Baltimore at the location of the former Bethlehem Steel plant.
Orsted has committed to using Tradepoint Atlantic as a logistics hub to assemble advanced foundation components for offshore wind turbines using materials produced on the Eastern Shore at Crystal Steel.
The partnerships will create nearly 15,000 jobs.
To accelerate Maryland’s transition to a clean energy future, the governor also announced that the Maryland Department of Commerce has created a dedicated position that will ensure industry access to an array of state resources and create an environment conducive to startups, attracting investment and assisting established firms with growth, expansion, and workforce development.
The Maryland Energy Administration will also focus on delivering more grants to companies that form key connections along the offshore wind supply chain, including those that develop turbines, blades, cables, and other mechanical parts. ■
A strong storm that originated over the Pacific has tracked through the Great Basin and is currently transitioning across the Rockies to redevelop across the central High Plains later today into early Saturday morning.