Happy Holidays from the Connecticut Wind Collaborative
Happy Holidays from the Connecticut Wind Collaborative
It’s been an impactful nine months for the Connecticut Wind Collaborative, firmly establishing Connecticut’s leadership in the offshore wind industry in supporting the state and region! As we continue to serve as a convenor, collaborator, and connector, we are excited to build on our work in offshore wind in Connecticut and across the region.
Recently, we commissioned and launched the nation’s first offshore wind regional study with our esteemed partners at Xodus and The Pew Charitable Trusts, to identify and expand supply chain opportunities for Connecticut and the Northeast. The CWC Offshore Wind Industry Study of Connecticut and the region will set the gold standard for supply chain analysis and collaboration. We look forward to sharing results in the spring of 2025.
We have convened several stakeholder gatherings nationally and internationally! In October we hosted a distinguished offshore wind innovation delegation from the Kingdom of the Netherlands for a tour of State Pier in New London, where components for 161 wind turbines are being staged and assembled for three Offshore Wind Farms. One of these wind farms will provide power to Connecticut and the other two will supply clean energy to New York.
The CWC, along with board member Tony Appleton, also led a Connecticut leadership offshore wind delegation that included Paul Lavoie (CWC Board Chair), New London, CT, Mayor Michael Passero, Executive Director Kristin Urbach, and Ali Halvordson of ThayerMahan on a September tour of three port facilities in the United Kingdom. The delegation met with 75 businesses to highlight the potential for economic growth spurred by the industry and to develop cross-Atlantic partnerships. While at the same time, board members Andrew Lavigne and Will Cox attended an offshore wind delegation in the Netherlands.
Kristin, our dynamic Executive Director, was invited to share her wealth of knowledge at a number of prestigious conferences, highlighting her vast experience as a thought leader in this fast emerging U.S. industry. In September, Kristin joined federal policy leaders, sustainable energy executives and others as a featured speaker during the Offshore Wind Transmission US conference in New York City during NY Climate Week. In October, Kristin spoke at the CPES Future of Energy Conference and other regional and statewide energy conferences. In August, Governor Ned Lamont appointed Kristin to the Connecticut Port Authority Board of Directors, and Paul Whitescarver (CWC board member) was appointed to serve as the chair of the CPA.
In September, CWC organized and hosted the nation’s first tour of the MidOcean Wind Crew Transfer Vessel and a live HeliService personnel and cargo hoist demonstration at Bridgeport Boatworks in Bridgeport,Connecticut. This event showcased collaboration between Connecticut and Rhode Island businesses in the supply chain.
And just one month after starting, we cohosted the Celebrating Offshore Wind in Connecticut tour of an Ørsted offshore wind farm followed by our first Connecticut Wind Collaborative Offshore Wind Outing, which featured CWC Board member Liz Burdock (President and CEO of the Oceantic Network).
As we continue to serve as a convenor, collaborator, and connector, we are excited about the future of offshore wind in Connecticut and across the region. With many more initiatives in the pipeline, we are driving industry growth, attracting investment, building a skilled workforce, and fostering innovation in the region.
Happy Holidays to all from the Connecticut Wind Collaborative!