Stantec, a global design firm based out of Edmonton, Alberta, has been selected to lead the environmental assessment for the Skipjack Wind Farm, an offshore wind project being developed by Deepwater Wind off the coast of Maryland.
Deepwater Wind’s 120 MW Skipjack Wind Farm, when built, would be Maryland’s first offshore wind farm, with the potential to deliver enough renewable energy to power 35,000 Maryland homes. Deepwater Wind has also built the U.S.’ first offshore wind project, the Block Island Wind Farm, located off the coast of Rhode Island.
Stantec, which has a team based locally in Laurel, Md., along with technical and regulatory experts along the East Coast, will lead a team of local biologists, engineers, marine archaeologists and other researchers to conduct extensive marine and environmental assessments. Stantec is also supported by Maryland-based environmental firms to facilitate the project’s state and federal permitting efforts.
“We are committed to supporting Deepwater Wind through a streamlined and thorough process in the assessment and permitting of this milestone renewable energy project,” says Diane Sullivan, sector leader for renewable energy at Stantec. “With the ongoing expansion of the offshore wind energy sector along the East Coast, the Stantec team provides a unique set of skills and expertise to support clients in the planning and delivery of such complex energy generation projects.”
Deepwater Wind has secured the rights to acquire the site’s federal lease. The Maryland Public Service Commission designated the Skipjack Wind Farm a “Qualified Offshore Wind Project” in May 2017.
