Speaking to wind industry stakeholders at the IPF Supply Chain Conference in New York City today, Gov. Phil Murphy, D-N.J., announced the creation of a New Jersey Offshore Wind Supply Chain Registry.
The registry, which will be developed as part of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s (NJEDA) membership in the Business Network for Offshore Wind, will create a free online portal where investors exploring offshore wind-related projects in New Jersey will be able to find local companies to partner with or purchase from.
“Developing a robust offshore wind industry is a key step to building a stronger, fairer New Jersey economy that provides good jobs and protects our environment for future generations,” says Murphy. “The offshore wind supply chain registry will facilitate the delivery of our offshore wind projects and ensure New Jersey companies are first in line for opportunities they create.”
The NJEDA, through its Office of Economic Transformation (OET), has been working closely with the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) and other agencies on the Offshore Wind Task Force to expand New Jersey’s offshore wind industry. A consistent challenge throughout this process has been the lack of a comprehensive list of New Jersey-based companies that established offshore wind companies can partner with or purchase from as they plan projects in the state. Now, the Offshore Wind Supply Chain Registry seeks to solve this problem.
“Offshore wind is on the verge of becoming one of the biggest industries in the world, and New Jersey will be at the forefront of that trend,” says the BPU’s president, Joseph L. Fiordaliso. “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for New Jersey businesses and workers, and our leaders throughout the state are working together to make sure we take full advantage of the benefits this industry can bring to the Garden State.”
“We are excited to work with the NJEDA to open New Jersey up to more offshore wind opportunities,” comments Liz Burdock, president and CEO of the Business Network for Offshore Wind. “Offshore wind is a rapidly growing industry that will be a major economic driver for years to come. New Jersey’s proactive approach to establishing this portal will set an example for the rest of the country of how to build a robust wind economy that benefits local businesses and workers.”
The network normally does not open its registry to the public, but the partnership with the NJEDA will make the New Jersey-company portion of the registry publicly available for free through the NJEDA website.
“The lack of a comprehensive, searchable list of New Jersey-based offshore wind partners has been a consistent hurdle to unlocking offshore wind’s full potential to create new jobs and grow our economy,” notes Brian Sabina, senior vice president of the NJEDA OET. “The offshore wind supply chain registry will be a powerful tool for attracting major offshore wind projects to New Jersey and connecting New Jersey-based companies with new opportunities.”
Sabina says NJEDA has set a goal of including more than 650 New Jersey-based companies in the registry by mid-August. He adds that the registry will be accepting sign-ups and giving demonstrations of the system at the network’s booth throughout the IPF conference. NJEDA will also be launching a marketing campaign.
