Offshore Wind Industry

Industry Overview

The SouthCoast region is poised to lead the nation as the hub for the emerging offshore wind industry. In 2016, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts executed the largest commitment of any state in the nation to offshore wind. An Act Relative to Energy Diversity (H. 4568), requires Massachusetts electricity distribution companies to procure 1,600 megawatts (MW) offshore wind energy by June 2027.

On the federal level, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has established leasing areas for offshore wind beginning 14 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. Three offshore wind developers (DONG Energy, Deepwater Wind, and Vineyard Wind) have lease agreements to build projects in these waters.

The Commonwealth has also invested in the construction of the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal, which is managed by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. The Terminal is a multi-purpose facility designed to support the construction, assembly, and deployment of offshore wind projects.

Offshore Wind and Energy Industry

  •  The development of the energy industry, particularly from wind, has the potential to create new job opportunities, attract investments, and stimulate economic growth in New Bedford as well as all throughout the SouthCoast.
  • The United States Department of Energy approximates that there will be 43,000 jobs that are associated with offshore wind by 2030, suggesting that the offshore wind industry is rapidly growing.
  • New Bedford is home to the only marine commerce terminal in the United States, which will bring in business from around the nation.
  •  The terminal was especially created to handle the enormous size and weight of the structures needed to create turbines.

Key Companies/Organizations

Workforce Resources