High Offshore Wind Port Hopes For Salem Harbor

SALEM, MA — The state's second major offshore wind port could be coming to Salem Harbor as part of the "Commonwealth Wind" plan officials unveiled at a Salem Wharf news conference on Thursday.

Vineyard Wind entered into an agreement with the city and Crowley Maritime Corporation to form the public-private partnership it said could create 900 full-time-equivalent jobs over the first five years of the project.

Officials said the agreement is contingent upon the company winning a state offshore wind procurement bid.

The proposed agreement states that Crowley will buy 42 acres surrounding Salem Harbor Station, which is currently owned by Footprint Power LLC, and will redevelop and operate the port with Vineyard Wind as its anchor tenant. The site will be used for turbine assembly, staging activities and storage ahead of offshore turbine installation.

Officials said Salem Habor’s deep water port makes it the ideal location for an offshore wind location on the North Shore.

"With a new offshore wind port in Salem, the commonwealth can ensure that it is ready to face the demands of a rapidly growing industry," said Vineyard Wind Chief Executive Officer Lars T. Pedersen said. "With both New Bedford and Salem capable of delivering port operations needed for offshore wind, the state can ensure that both the South Coast and the North Shore can benefit from the creation of new, highly skilled and good-paying jobs, something that will cement Massachusetts' position as a leader in the new and growing offshore wind industry."

Officials said Vineyard Wind and Crowley will work with the city "to engage in a robust community outreach and listening process" to build support for the partnership.

"For centuries, when Salem looked toward its future, it looked toward the sea," Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll said. "This site, in particular, has provided the electricity that has powered our community and our commonwealth for generations. Today, with this announcement, that legacy can continue with a new focus on a clean energy future, based on renewable power and with a shared commitment to positive action to mitigate climate change.

"This project would provide a significant expansion to our commercial tax base and create hundreds of clean energy jobs, right here in Salem. I'm looking forward to working with the Vineyard and Crowley teams, as well as our own local stakeholders here in the community, as this exciting new opportunity moves ahead."

Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) and Rep. Paul Tucker (D-Salem) were both on hand for the announcement and expressed support for the project and the partnership.

"This is a critical opportunity for Salem to join offshore wind production in the commonwealth," Lovely said. "Salem Harbor's deep-port provides an ideal site for offshore wind production and supports regional and statewide efforts to establish reliable renewable energy resources to combat climate change.

"The partnership between Salem, Vineyard Wind and Crowley Maritime will boost our state's economy while preserving the long-term interests of our community."

"This proposal represents an exciting and generational opportunity in getting us on the road to renewable clean energy," Tucker agreed. "The transformation of this site from a coal-fired plant to a major clean energy producer is nothing short of extraordinary."

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)