Boston is gearing up for green energy revamp, with the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), the City of Salem, and Crowley, a maritime and logistics behemoth, announcing a landmark deal to breathe new life into Salem's waterfront. The once pollution-spewing power plant site will become the Salem Offshore Wind Terminal, positioning Massachusetts as a heavyweight in the offshore wind industry, MassCEC's announcement states.
The plan includes not only the purchase of a sprawling 42-acre tract by MassCEC but also hands over a 5-acre slice to Salem, including the port's existing deep-water berth. Interestingly, the launchpad for the state’s first offshore wind farm sprouted in New Bedford, where Vineyard Wind made history with their first delivery of offshore wind power last January. Governor Maura Healey championed the project, saying, “MassCEC’s offshore wind infrastructure has given Massachusetts our competitive edge in this growing industry,” adding that the new port alongside the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal and the Wind Technology Testing Center will sprint ahead in the clean energy race.
A vision once locked in the chambers of Salem's dreams is now unfolding into reality. “Harnessing the power of the harbor has always been key to Salem’s success. This port once received clipper ships that brought international trade to our shores, and now will serve as a hub for offshore wind, driving economic development for the entire state.” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, " Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rebecca Tepper echoed this sense of historical transformation, hinting at the port's pivotal role in energizing the region with clean and affordable energy.
MassCEC’s CEO Emily Reichert is proud to synchronize with the state's climate ambitions, unveiling their second wind energy pier with urgency to turn the port operational ASAP. It's a collaborative effort that requires action from both the public and private sector; local, state, and federal governments, in partnership with Crowley, Reichert noted. Crowley, which snapped up the property in 2022, will play lord over the site, ushering in construction and enhancements before operating the terminal, which is set to unfurl its services in 2026.
Meanwhile, Salem's Mayor Dominick Pangallo couldn’t contain his excitement. "A new, green energy future will be assembled," where once soot and coal reigned supreme, he boasted, fuelled by a workforce rising from the ashes of a fossil fuel past.
Crowley's senior VP and general manager Bob Karl, laid out the vision for an advanced Massachusetts landscape powered by the gusts of offshore wind. With a nod to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the state's lawmakers, Karl anticipates establishing a world-class station for a burgeoning wind sector, "We are excited to continue advancing the opportunity for clean, renewable offshore wind energy for Massachusetts and beyond through this dynamic public-private partnership," he said.
