Eversource and Ørsted Invest in Rhode Island’s Offshore Wind Workforce and Supply Chain
Eversource and Ørsted,
both Council members, have pledged to invest $4.5 million in offshore wind
education and supply chain management to support the development of the
offshore wind industry in Rhode Island. This investment was announced by
Governor Gina Raimondo and will be used to bolster the Revolution Wind project
that is expected to create more than 800 direct construction jobs and 50
permanent jobs for Rhode Islanders.
The $4.5 million will be invested locally, with $3 million
allotted for higher education around offshore wind programs. This will be led
by New England Council member the University of Rhode Island, which will
partner with other higher education institutions around the state. The
remaining funds are designated for the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation and
the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training for the development of Rhode
Island’s offshore wind supply chain and workforce.
Governor
Raimondo explained, “Ørsted and Eversource’s commitments, as part of their
Revolution Wind offshore wind farm, will expand our efforts already underway to
build our talent pool and provide opportunities for college students in Rhode
Island to study for a career in offshore wind. When they are ready to work, we
will have plenty of jobs for them in our growing offshore wind supply chain,
right here in Rhode Island.”
Jeffrey
Grybowski, Ørsted
US Offshore Wind’s Co-CEO, commented, “Revolution Wind is the exciting next
chapter for offshore wind in the state that launched this new American
industry. We stand ready to make major investments in our home state to make
sure Rhode Island students, and the state’s supply chain, are ready for this
new clean-jobs sector.”
The
NEC applauds the commitment that Eversource and Ørsted are making to the
development of offshore wind in New England, and for supporting the workforce to
sustain continued growth in this industry.