The offshore wind energy industry is bringing more jobs to Delmarva. Governor Hogan was in Caroline county Thursday for the agreement between Orsted and Crystal Steel. Orsted and Crystal Steel Fabricators made a 70 million dollar supply agreement. That means Crystal Steel will supply steel components for the foundation of Orsted's wind turbines off the shore near the Maryland - Delaware line. Crystal Steel CEO Bill Lo says this agreement is only the beginning.
“This is the initial investment but we foresee offshore wind being a core aspect of our business for the next decade or more,” Lo said.
The steel produced in Federalsburg will be used for Orsted's skipjack wind program as well as two other Orsted projects in New Jersey. Orsted CEO David Hardy says the company is not done investing on the Eastern Shore.
“I think we are uniquely more committed than anybody because we develop, construct, own then operate long term so when we build an operations and maintenance center that means that were going to create those long term jobs in Ocean City and the greater Ocean City area for the 35 year life of the project,” Hardy said.
The steel and wind turbines will be used to power 1.3 million homes with renewable energy. Bill Lo says the parts will go beyond Maryland, but the jobs will stay in the state.
“The fact that we are getting this investment will allow us to be that much more efficient and be able to supply the entire eastern seaboard with our components built right here in the state of Maryland,” Lo said.
Orsted is developing two skipjack projects, Skipjack 1 calls for 10 turbines off the coast near the Maryland Delaware line. Skipjack 1 project was approved by Maryland and is now under federal review. The second project, Skipjack 2, would bring 60 turbines 20 miles off the coast near the same area as Skipjack 1. Skipjack 2 is pending approval from Maryland.
