Wind

Maryland to fund market entry for workers and firms to ramp 8.5GW offshore wind goal

Mid-Atlantic state launched grant programme to enable sector workforce development and capacity investment

Wes Moore. Wes Moore.
Wes Moore. Wes Moore.Foto: Governor's office

Maryland will offer over $6m in grants to workforce development and supply chain investment next year to enable market entry into what it hopes will be a booming offshore wind sector.

Governor Wes Moore last spring signed legislation mandating 8.5GW of offshore wind off Maryland’s coastline by 2031, among the largest and firmest targets in the US, and its 2GW portfolio of contracted capacity has already sparked millions in port and manufacturing investment.

“Offshore wind energy production holds immense promise for Maryland, both in terms of the clean power it can produce and the well-paying jobs it stands to create,” said governor Moore.

The state's procurement awards include stipulations to ensure opportunities are accessible to working communities, many of which were devastated by the closure of Bethlehem Steel’s massive Sparrows Point steelmaking plant, once the world’s largest.

Developers Orsted and US Wind now operate out of the Tradepoint Atlantic logistics hub that replaced the steelmaker and are reestablishing manufacturing, including US Wind's Sparrows Point Steel monopile maker.

The Maryland Offshore Wind Grant Programme Portfolio will be divided into supply chain opportunities and workforce development programmes.

Funds are available for education and awareness schemes to steer workers towards the sector and subsidise internships directly in offshore wind firms, and to help businesses pay to develop sector-specific market entry plans, including gaining technical support from consultancies.

Funds are also available to help offset capital expenditures including renovations and purchasing equipment.

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Published 30 October 2023, 21:13Updated 2 November 2023, 13:45
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