Global Leader in Offshore Wind announces significant expansion of investment in Maryland
Annapolis, Maryland (July 7, 2021) – Ørsted, the global leader in offshore wind development, announced today that it has submitted a bid to the Maryland Public Service Commission to develop Skipjack Wind 2, a proposed project of up to 760 megawatts (MW). The bid is in response to the Commission’s call for proposals for Round 2 offshore wind projects, through which the Commission can award at least 1,200 megawatts of Offshore Wind Renewable Energy Credits. The new project will power over 250,000 Delmarva homes.
About Skipjack Wind 2:
- As the global leader in offshore wind development, with the largest portfolio of projects in development in the United States, Ørsted is uniquely positioned to support the State of Maryland in reaching its offshore wind goals.
- Ørsted’s proposal is designed to support the successful development of Skipjack Wind 2 while also committing to significant manufacturing operations that will enable the State to establish itself as a significant player in the offshore wind supply chain.
- Ørsted is committed to environmental justice initiatives that will help ensure that the state’s overburdened and underserved communities have equal access to the incredible opportunities presented by the offshore wind industry. In partnership with local school districts, communities, and universities, the project will provide significant resources to support the development of innovative Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programming as well as comprehensive workforce training initiatives.
- Building on Ørsted’s landmark agreement with the North American Building Trades Union (NABTU), and the Baltimore – D.C. Metro Building and Construction Trades Council, the project has committed to bringing organized labor into both the onshore and offshore construction of this thriving industry. Our continued collaboration and workforce development initiatives with unions will ensure a well trained and ready workforce.
- Globally, Ørsted has a goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2025. In pursuit of this goal, the project also commits to pursue a zero-emissions operations and maintenance facility and program.
- Ørsted will significantly expand the availability of grant funding for local eNGOs in Maryland and Delaware. Through its mission to lead industry-wide sustainability efforts, the project will support the critical efforts of those organizations to protect, preserve, and restore the region’s world-class coastal habitat and environment.
“Ørsted is privileged to already be a long-term partner to the state of Maryland as it works to meet its offshore
wind goals,” said David Hardy, CEO of Ørsted Offshore North America. “We are proud to build, own, and
operate wind farms across the world and will bring that same approach to Maryland. As such, these at least 30-
year commitments we are making to the state are designed to provide long-term benefits to all of the
communities that will be home to our facilities. In continuing to deliver on our commitments now, and well
into the future, we will ensure that Maryland’s offshore wind industry will thrive for decades to come.”
Ørsted is currently developing Skipjack Wind 1, a 120 MW project off the Maryland-Delaware coast that is
scheduled to be operational by the second quarter of 2026. The project was awarded during Maryland’s first
offshore wind solicitation, commonly referred to as Round 1, in May of 2017. Skipjack Wind 1 will create
approximately 1,400 Maryland jobs, spur at least $200 million in Maryland economic investment, and generate
enough clean energy to power 40,000 homes in the region.
Ørsted will be hosting a virtual open house on July 19, at 6 p.m. to answer questions from the public about the
new expanded project. Individuals interested in attending the open house are encouraged to register via this
link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/skipjack-wind-virtual-open-house-tickets-161923293931
Ørsted operates 28 offshore wind farms globally including America’s first offshore wind farm, the Block Island
Wind Farm. Skipjack Wind 2 will help Maryland achieve ambitious renewable energy targets established by the
Clean Energy Jobs Act of 2019, which states that 50 percent of Maryland’s energy must come from renewable
energy sources by 2030.
About Ørsted Offshore North America
The Ørsted vision is a world that runs entirely on green energy. Ørsted ranks as the world’s most sustainable
energy company in Corporate Knights’ 2021 Global 100 index of the most sustainable corporations and is
recognized on the CDP Climate Change A List as a global leader on climate action.
In the United States, Ørsted operates the Block Island Wind Farm, America’s first offshore wind farm, and
constructed the two-turbine Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind pilot project – the first turbines to be installed in
federal waters. Ørsted has secured over 4,000 megawatts of additional capacity through six projects in the
Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Ørsted Offshore’s North American business is jointly headquartered in Boston,
Massachusetts and Providence, Rhode Island and employs more than 150 people. To learn more visit
us.orsted.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@OrstedUS).
