Rhode Island Commerce announces new SupplyRI offshore wind Anchor partners

Photo: Pamela Bhatia, Artistic Images RI

The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation today announced new partnerships between its SupplyRI initiative and two offshore wind companies, Vineyard Offshore and Avangrid. They join other Anchors include some of the state’s largest employers such as CVS Health, Care New England, Brown University, Orsted, and Citizens Bank. 

SupplyRI is a public-private initiative that helps connect local suppliers to the needs of larger Rhode Island institutions. As offshore wind farms continue to be built along the Atlantic coast, SupplyRI is actively connecting Rhode Island companies with opportunities and the tools to forge partnerships within the industry.

In a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), both companies have committed to participating as SupplyRI Anchors by supporting local businesses in Rhode Island through procuring Rhode Island-sourced goods and services for local offshore wind energy projects.

“Our state is home to the first offshore wind farm in the United States”, said Secretary of Commerce Liz Tanner, “and we will remain a leader in this industry if we ensure that Rhode Island-based businesses continue to contribute to the projects being built off our shores and along the Atlantic coast. We welcome Vineyard Offshore and Avangrid to SupplyRI and look forward to connecting them with Rhode Island businesses for their procurement needs.”

Avangrid is a leading sustainable energy company and member of the Iberdrola Group, with approximately $45 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states. As the leading offshore wind developer in the United States, Avangrid is spearheading the development of the first-in-the-nation Vineyard Wind 1 project, currently under construction and delivering clean, reliable power to the grid in New England. Additionally, Avangrid is developing a portfolio of offshore wind projects with the potential to deliver over six gigawatts of clean, renewable energy along the East Coast. 

“Avangrid is proud to advance this partnership as a SupplyRI Anchor in support of the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation and the continued growth of the local offshore wind supply chain in Rhode Island,” said Avangrid CEO Pedro Azagra. “The multi-state offshore wind procurement in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut creates an opportunity to deliver an urgent energy, climate, and economic solution to the region. New England Wind is an exceptionally mature offshore wind proposal that offers the urgency, ambition, and certainty needed to build on the success of Vineyard Wind 1 and continue the development of Rhode Island’s growing clean energy workforce.”

In March 2024, Avangrid submitted multiple proposals for mature, transformative New England Wind projects to the Massachusetts-Connecticut-Rhode Island multi-state solicitation for offshore wind power. New England Wind, representing two projects – the 791 Megawatt (MW) New England Wind 1 project and 1,080 MW New England Wind 2 project – are among the most mature offshore wind opportunities in the nation, with the ability to achieve commercial operations before the end of the decade, delivering an urgent energy, climate, and economic solution to the region. Avangrid submitted a bid for New England Wind 1, a second bid for New England Wind 1 and 2 combined, and additional bids for single-state procurements in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.

Vineyard Offshore is leading the development of two lease areas in the Northeast, in addition to a recently acquired lease in Northern California. Combined with its joint venture development of the first-in-the-nation offshore wind project, Vineyard Wind 1, now under construction, Vineyard Offshore has the potential to develop more than 6 gigawatts of clean, renewable, and affordable energy on the East and West Coasts of the United States.

Vineyard Offshore’s recently submitted Vineyard Wind 2 project looks to deliver 1200 MW to Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Vineyard Wind 2 is poised to bring more than just clean energy to these states. Through strategic, local partnerships the project will deliver long-term, sustainable, and well-paying careers as well as bolstering the offshore wind economy of the region. Underpinning this proposal is Vineyard Offshore’s characteristic approach to community collaboration, which enables project viability and support.  

“We’re delighted to partner with SupplyRI to ensure that homegrown businesses, and the people they employ, have clear paths to opportunity in this burgeoning American industry. Offshore wind holds immense potential – not solely in delivering clean, renewable energy, but also in fostering economic growth statewide,” said Jennifer Cullen, Director of Labor, Workforce, and Local Content at Vineyard Offshore. “A robust and highly capable offshore wind supply chain will play a pivotal role in propelling Rhode Island and the region towards ambitious climate objectives. We are eager to work with Rhode Island businesses to deliver opportunity, cleaner communities, and a prosperous future.”