Offshore wind developer Vineyard Wind, along with its community development partner, Vineyard Power Cooperative, has formally announced its proposed Offshore Wind Operation & Maintenance center, located on the working waterfront in Vineyard Haven on the island of Martha’s Vineyard, Mass.
Once operational, Vineyard Wind’s Offshore Wind Operation & Maintenance center is expected to employ up to 40 people.
In addition, Vineyard Power has announced a partnership with Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, Adult Community Education MV and local community colleges for offshore wind job training and education. The partnership will be developed through support from Vineyard Wind’s “Windward Workforce” fund, a $2 million initiative designed to help recruit, mentor and train Massachusetts residents for careers in offshore wind.
“Vineyard Wind is committed to ongoing collaborations with community-based organizations on important issues of shared interest,” says Erich Stephens, chief development officer of Vineyard Wind. “Alliances like our partnership with Vineyard Power ensure that coastal communities will directly benefit from the abundant clean energy and related economic activity that is associated with offshore wind generation.”
“Vineyard Power Cooperative and Vineyard Wind have built a strong relationship on the principle of delivering value and benefits of renewable energy development to local communities,” adds Vineyard Power’s president, Richard Andre. “Since signing the nation’s first Community Benefit Agreement for offshore wind development with our organization in 2015, Vineyard Wind has continued to value local relationships while supporting related community-focused renewable energy initiatives such as the cooperative’s work to develop solar and energy storage projects.”
Vineyard Wind is seeking to build the U.S.’ first large-scale offshore wind project, to be located 14 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard. Vineyard Wind, based in New Bedford, Mass., is 50% owned by funds of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and 50% by Avangrid Renewables.
