$500K IN FUNDING WILL SUPPORT THE NETWORK’S “FOUNDATION 2 BLADE PROGRAM” AND FOSTER SMALL AND DIVERSE MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS PARTICIPATION IN OFFSHORE WIND
(BOSTON, MA) – Vineyard Wind and the Business Network for Offshore Wind today announced a new partnership to educate Massachusetts businesses about opportunities in the offshore wind sector and integrate small businesses as well as those owned by minorities, women, veterans, service-disabled veterans, those with a disability, and LGBT individuals into the local supply chain.
The one-year Offshore Wind Supply Chain Initiative will launch across Massachusetts in November. Vineyard Wind is funding the Network’s efforts to deliver its Foundation 2 Blade, Offshore Wind Ready, and Offshore Wind 101 educational training programs, each designed to help local companies and entrepreneurs learn about the offshore wind industry and how they can expand their business into the local supply chain. Graduates of these programs will understand the phases of offshore wind project development and the component parts and operations of offshore wind projects and be able to determine where their company best fits into the supply chain.
“Vineyard Wind is not just a first-of-its-kind project in the US, it also represents the launch of an entirely new industry,” said Vineyard Wind CEO Klaus S. Moeller. “As such, we have a unique opportunity to bring in thousands of small businesses as we quickly build out the local supply chain. Our partnership with the Network will ensure that our approach to engaging new companies focused on creating a diverse and inclusive offshore wind supply chain from the start, so that the benefits of this industry will be felt in every community in the Commonwealth.”
“The Network is thrilled to partner with Vineyard Wind to educate local businesses on the offshore wind industry that will create real jobs, lead to concrete business deals, and a flourishing regional supply chain,” said Liz Burdock, founder and CEO of the Business Network for Offshore Wind. “There is vast opportunity within the U.S. offshore wind industry, particularly in Massachusetts, to create a supply chain that not just meets local needs but can compete on a global scale.”
The Network’s Foundation 2 Blade program (F2B) is the offshore wind industry’s most comprehensive training program for businesses who are ready to take advantage of opportunities within the industry. Over the course of multiple sessions, participants gain the tools, resources, and industry connections that prepare their businesses to successfully enter the offshore wind supply chain. Since launching in 2020, the Network has graduated nearly 350 professionals from federal regulatory agencies, state governments, offshore wind developers, Tier 1 suppliers, and other businesses critical to the offshore wind supply chain.
Educational opportunities will be offered to vendors and contractors throughout Massachusetts, with special focus on increasing women and minority owned businesses, as well as other diverse businesses, within the offshore wind supply chain. Through the delivery of the Network’s educational training programs, approximately 100 different local and diverse businesses will have gained insight into the opportunities available in the offshore wind industry, and a better understanding of where their services and capabilities may align with industry needs.
Vineyard Wind, an 800-megawatt project located 15 miles off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard, will generate electricity for more than 400,000 homes and businesses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, create 3,600 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) job years, save customers $1.4 billion over the first 20 years of operation, and is expected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 1.6 million metric tons per year, the equivalent of taking 325,000 cars off the road annually.
Vineyard Wind 1 will begin delivering clean energy to Massachusetts in 2023.
###
About Vineyard Wind
Vineyard Wind LLC is an offshore wind development company that is building the first commercial-scale offshore wind energy project in the U.S., to be located 15 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard. Vineyard Wind, based in New Bedford, Massachusetts, is 50 percent owned by funds of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) and 50 percent by Avangrid Renewables, a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR). For more information, visit www.vineyardwind.com.
About The Business Network
The Business Network for Offshore Wind is the largest non-profit organization dedicated solely to building a robust offshore wind supply chain and expanding adoption of offshore wind energy. It advances the industry through collaboration, education, and innovation, including the International Offshore Wind Partnering Forum (IPF), the leading offshore wind conference in North America, and the OSW Market Dashboard. Learn more at offshorewindus.org.
Contact (Vineyard Wind): Andrew Doba | adoba@vineyardwind.com | 203-850-7400
Contact (Business Network): Melinda Skea | melinda@offshorewindus.org | 202-709-9793
