Ørsted announced Wednesday the proposed expansion of its Skipjack Wind Farm off the coast of the Delmarva Peninsula.
The expansion involves “Skipjack Wind 2” in addition to the already developing “Skipjack Wind 1.” Ørsted has submitted its bid to the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC), a proposal that would include 760 megawatts of energy. If approved the additional windfarm would be in the same leased area as Skipjack 1.
“Ørsted is privileged to already be a long-term partner to the state of Maryland as it works to meet its offshore wind goals,” Ørsted Offshore North America CEO David Hardy said in a prepared statement. “We are proud to build, own, and operate wind farms across the world and will bring that same approach to Maryland” (Delmarva Business Times).
According to Ørsted’s website:
Skipjack Wind 2 will secure the region’s central position in the new American offshore wind industry for decades to come – not only as a hub for new manufacturing and port facilities to serve this growing sector, but also as a training center for the new green workforce.
The benefits of the emerging offshore wind industry will be felt throughout Maryland and Delaware. As the global leader in offshore wind, Ørsted is uniquely positioned to serve as a trusted, long-term partner, creating quality jobs and new business opportunities, and investing millions of dollars in local communities.
According to Katie Tabeling, of Delmarva Business Times, “The proposed Skipjack expansion is buoyed by Maryland’s Clean Energy Jobs Act of 2019, which created more subsidies for renewable energy and tasked the state to facilitate at least 1,200 megawatts in ’round two’ offshore wind projects. The law set Maryland’s renewable energy goals of 50% or more by 2030.”
