Cape Wind Deal to Bring Boston Clean Energy Jobs

Posted on March 31, 2010

Cape Wind announced it has entered into an agreement with Siemens to supply 130 of its 3.6-Megawatt turbines for America’s first planned offshore wind farm off the coast of Massachusetts, a move that would bring Boston clean energy jobs.

In addition, Siemens also announced plans to open a U.S. Offshore Wind office in Boston.

“We are pleased to be working with Siemens which is a market leader in offshore wind and we are thrilled Siemens is bringing clean energy jobs to Massachusetts by opening up its U.S. Offshore Wind office in Boston. This agreement between Cape Wind and Siemens represents a major step forward to jumpstarting the American offshore wind industry and increasing energy independence, creating a healthier environment while producing hundreds of green energy jobs,” said Jim Gordon, Cape Wind President.

Both Siemens and Cape Wind declined to comment on the price of the purchase.

According to MarketWatch, the Siemens 3.6-MW offshore wind turbines are an industry ‘workhorse’ with 1,000 units sold and 150 units installed and successfully operating.

“While the onshore wind industry is well developed in the U.S., the United States offshore wind resources still offer a vast, untapped source of renewable energy potential. The final approval of the Cape Wind offshore wind farm will be key to the success of the offshore wind industry in the U.S.,” Randy Zwirn, President and CEO of Siemens Energy, Inc. stated.

“We understand that the Department of Interior is working hard to provide certainty to the project and we look forward to the decision. It will signal to manufacturers and investors alike that the United States is a sustainability leader in its support for a clean, reliable energy supply and green jobs creation,” added Zwirn.

The wind farm has been controversial for the citizens of Massachusetts.

Siemens is the leading provider of offshore wind turbines for almost 20 years, since the world’s first offshore wind farm installed in 1991 in Vindeby, Denmark to the world’s largest offshore wind farm, Horns Rev II in the North Sea. Siemens Wind Power also has a strong presence in the U.S. with approximately 1,000 employees and more than $100 million invested in two manufacturing locations for onshore wind turbines.

Cape Wind completed State and Local permitting in 2008 and is awaiting a final Federal permitting decision from U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar who has recently stated he will make his decision by the end of April.

Cape Wind’s proposal to build America’s first offshore wind farm on Horseshoe Shoal would provide three-quarters of the electricity used on Cape Cod and the Islands from clean, renewable energy – reducing this region’s need to import oil, coal and gas. Cape Wind will create new jobs, help stabilize electric costs, contribute to a healthier environment, increase energy independence and establish Massachusetts as a leader in offshore wind power.