Wes Moore intensifies Maryland offshore wind energy push, drawing Andy Harris rebuke

This article was updated at 2:19 p.m. to include a statement from Ørsted received shortly after the time of publishing.

In an effort to achieve 100% clean energy in the state by 2035, Gov. Wes Moore has intensified his advocacy for offshore wind energy, vowing to be the country’s leader in its production.

In a speech at Wednesday's International Offshore Wind Partnering Forum, Moore announced that Maryland will aim to quadruple the amount of energy produced by offshore wind from about 2 gigawatts to 8.5 gigawatts of power, which is enough to power nearly three million homes. To support the effort, the administration is working to establish new lease areas and strengthen the offshore wind supply chain.

“Here in Maryland, we can have both a growing economy and lead the way in clean energy. Maryland is rich in natural assets, institutional strength, numerous offshore wind energy partnerships and a thriving workforce — and I believe if we work together, our state will lead the country in offshore wind energy production," Moore said.

For offshore wind energy companies like Ørsted and US Wind, which have a combined four lease areas off the coast of Maryland and Delaware, the question is just how dynamic production will be. The average cost of a commercial wind turbine spans from $2.6 million to $4 million.

Developments like MARWIN I and Momentum Wind by US Wind represent a projected 77 turbines 15 to 18 miles off the coast of Maryland and Delaware, including off the coast of Ocean City. Ørsted also plans on two developments of its own with Skipjack Wind I and II. The total of 69 turbines would be situated 20 to 21 miles off the coast of Maryland and Delaware.

Those projects are all expected to be completed and operational by 2026.

Developing the infrastructure needed to construct acres of wind turbines is not a small investment, with US Wind already spending an estimated $150 million to develop Sparrows Point Steel in Baltimore to fabricate the gargantuan turbines slated to dot the Maryland and Delaware coast.

“Gov. Moore’s announcement is a homerun for the people of Maryland,” said Jeff Grybowski, US Wind CEO. “He has a big and bold vision that aims to make Maryland the national leader in this new industry and will create thousands of jobs in the process. (Moore) is the person we need right now to achieve a clean energy future.”

The partnerships with the two wind energy companies could represent an additional 15,000 jobs in the state.

Maddy Voytek, Ørsted's deputy head of Government Affairs and Market Strategy in Maryland, similarly praised the decision as a step in solidifying their partnership with the new administration.

"We applaud Gov. Moore for his bold vision to expand the offshore wind industry, which is critical to achieving Maryland's green energy and economic goals. Ørsted is proud to be making significant commitments to develop supply chain, manufacturing, and operations capabilities across Maryland as we develop Skipjack Wind," Voytek said.

More on construction cost woes Will Ocean City offshore wind be blown off track by rising construction costs?

Andy Harris calls wind energy plan 'a bad, expensive idea'

Moore's announcement is not without its detractors, including Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md-1st, who has railed against expanding offshore wind energy development on the Eastern Shore.

“Hard-working Marylanders have already seen a 24% increase in their electric rates thanks to the failed energy policies of the Biden administration. In an effort to advance his potential presidential candidacy, Gov. Moore has proposed quadrupling down on the expensive and harmful Maryland offshore wind plans," Harris said in a statement.

In what he called a "bad, expensive" idea to quadruple energy output, Harris also cited the "bipartisan opposition" going forward with "even the current plans to industrialize the offshore areas with 900-foot-tall windmills." Some legislators have even speculated offshore wind development as the cause of the death and stranding of dozens of whales and marine mammals off the Atlantic Coast.

"We should never allow foreign companies to control our energy supply — much less harm our offshore marine environment doing it," Harris said referring to US Wind, which he claims has majority ownership by an overseas holding company.

More on mammals and wind turbines How does wind energy affect marine mammals, fish and birds? New studies seek to find out

Despite Harris' calls to halt turbine production, Moore also announced that the Maryland Department of Commerce has created a dedicated position that will ensure industry access to an array of state resources.

It will be tasked to create an environment conducive to startups, attracting investment and assisting established firms with growth, expansion and workforce development, Moore noted. The Maryland Energy Administration will also focus on delivering more grants to companies that form key connections along the offshore wind supply chain, including those that develop turbines, blades, cables and other mechanical parts.

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Wes Moore amplifies offshore wind energy push, with Andy Harris rebuke