Vineyard Wind, a joint venture between Avangrid Renewables and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), announces that Avangrid Renewables plans to build an Offshore Wind Control Center in New Bedford.  The proposal is the latest initiative announced under the company’s Commonwealth Wind proposal, which was submitted to the state for consideration in September.

Modeled on the work of Avangrid Renewable’s National Control Center for onshore renewable assets, the center will be a state-of-the-art facility that will provide remote control for the turbines, electrical service platforms and other offshore/onshore assets. The center will also serve as a hub for coordination between operations and maintenance (O&M) vessels and organizations like the United States Coast Guard, in addition to being an interface for working with regional transmission organizations like ISO-NE.

Construction of the facility is expected to create approximately 20 jobs. Once the facility is operational in 2024, it will create up to a dozen highly skilled, good-paying, long-term jobs that will exist throughout the 25-year lifespan of the project.  Development of the center is contingent on Commonwealth Wind being selected by the state in the most recent round of solicitation for offshore wind energy. 

“The establishment of an offshore wind control center in New Bedford further strengthens the city’s status as a leader in this industry,” said Bill White, President & CEO for Offshore at Avangrid Renewables. “The facility anchors Avangrid Renewables long-term O&M operations in New Bedford as we build out our offshore wind portfolio and help launch a new industry.  We look forward to working with city, state and community leaders and remain committed to creating meaningful opportunities for local residents to become a part of this growing industry.”

“We’re excited to continue to build upon the tremendous work that so many throughout the city and state have done to make New Bedford synonymous with offshore wind,” said Vineyard Wind CEO Lars T. Pedersen. “From the recently announced partnership with Semco Maritime to the establishment of this control center, the City of New Bedford is increasingly becoming a crucial part of this industry’s DNA. If the Commonwealth Wind proposal is selected by the state, this facility will create jobs that will last a generation or more, creating opportunities for people that can help families build a better life.”

“If an operations control center were established here, it would help to solidify New Bedford’s status as the center of an offshore wind cluster,” said New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell. “Avangrid Renewables is an international wind energy leader, and a long-term commitment to New Bedford would be welcomed.”

“New Bedford is the emerging epicenter of an offshore wind industry that will generate cost-effective and sustainable energy for the entire Commonwealth,” said Senator Mark Montigny. “There is simply no better place to centralize operations than in a strong seaport located just outside the wind lease areas. I appreciate Vineyard Wind’s proposed investment in the city and look forward to the rapid progress of this emerging new industry.” 

"If approved, the building of this new Offshore Wind Control Center would be good news for New Bedford, bringing new, good-paying jobs to the community and solidifying New Bedford’s place as a leader in offshore wind development,” said Representative Antonio Cabral. “To fully realize the benefit of offshore wind requires the commitment and cooperation of many different stakeholders, and this proposed center will play a significant role in expanding opportunities for collaboration and increasing economic benefits for New Bedford and the region."

“This recent development is further evidence of the rippling boost offshore wind and energy has had to our economy,” said Representative Paul A. Schmid III. “We thank Vineyard Wind for their commitment to our area.”

“The announcement of an Offshore Wind Control Center in New Bedford demonstrates the city’s continued dedication to building a clean energy infrastructure right here on the South Coast,” said Representative Christopher M. Markey. “The creation of long-term, good-paying jobs that will result from the project proves that not only is this a great move for our environment, but for our economy as well.”

Commonwealth Wind is a newly proposed offshore wind project submitted to Massachusetts’ third competitive offshore wind solicitation. If awarded, Commonwealth Wind will be developed in an area 22 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard that was designated by the federal government in 2015 following a multi-year stakeholder process. Commonwealth Wind can deliver up to 1,200 MW of clean and affordable energy to Massachusetts, power 750,000 homes in Massachusetts, create over 11,000 jobs (FTE), catalyze hundreds of millions of investments in offshore wind infrastructure, and deliver substantial commitments to environmental justice communities.

KeyFacts Energy: Avangrid Renewables US country profile

If you would like a complimentary 7-day trial to our Energy Country Review resource, free access to our daily news alert service, details of marketing opportunities or if you would like to contribute to KeyFacts Energy, click here. We can provide access, sign you up, send full details or set up a quick online meeting to review our services in more detail.