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May 21, 2021

Vineyard Wind chooses Bridgeport for offshore wind development HQ

HPGRUESEN VIA PIXABAY An offshore wind turbine in shallow water.
By Joanna Smiley

Vineyard Wind has selected 350 Fairfield Ave. in Bridgeport for its Connecticut project headquarters, and will also use 525 Seaview Ave. for a construction site, operations and maintenance hub supporting jobs over the anticipated 20 year life span of its offshore wind project.

It plans to build the first large-scale offshore wind energy project in the U.S., to be located 15 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard. 

The company splits ownership 50 percent between Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) and Orange-based Avangrid Renewables, a subsidiary of Avangrid.

Plans are for the headquarters to open in downtown Bridgeport this summer with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

The Park City Wind project is expected to provide an estimated $890 million in direct economic development in Connecticut and support 2,800 full-time jobs. 

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) selected the project in December of 2019 to bring 804 megawatts of clean energy to the state.  

“We are excited to announce the signing of leases for both our Connecticut headquarters and the construction and staging site for our Park City Wind project,” said Vineyard Wind deputy CEO, Sy Oytan, in a company statement. “The offshore wind industry can help transform Bridgeport’s waterfront into a hub for a new and growing industry.  By taking important steps like this today, we can lay a larger foundation for the jobs of tomorrow.” 

Gov. Ned Lamont said it shows Connecticut’s strength as a state leader in clean energy.

“This headquarters opening in Bridgeport represents some of the best examples of what we’re doing at the state level to invest in our cities and make our state a leader when it comes to our climate,” Lamont said in a press release. “These investments will lead to good jobs and cleaner energy. It’s an exciting moment for Bridgeport and our state’s future.”

Bridgeport Mayor Joseph Ganim anticipates immediate job openings for the community - especially in construction.

“This is great news for Bridgeport,” Ganim said. “We look forward to a ribbon cutting and welcome Vineyard Winds’ headquarters to their new downtown offices.”

DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes pointed out that not only will this project create jobs, but clean energy jobs.

“This is the latest example of the offshore wind industry’s roots taking hold in Connecticut, making our crucial decarbonization goals possible,” she noted.

Contact Joanna Smiley at jsmiley@newhavenbiz.com.

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