“New England is uncommonly well positioned for harnessing offshore wind—it is a game-changer for our regional New England grid. Offshore wind is the single biggest lever we can pull to reduce our emissions, address the climate crisis, meet our energy needs, and grow our economy simultaneously.”
—New England for Off-Shore Wind
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SAFE Supporting Wind Power Since 2001
SAFE, working with the City of Salem and our allies in New England for Offshore Wind and Massachusetts for Offshore Wind, is working to bring the offshore wind industry to Salem and all of New England. Indeed, SAFE has ardently supported both onshore and offshore wind as a source of energy since our founding in 2001. Early on, Cape Wind captured our imagination, and we advocated for this pathbreaking project on our South Coast for over 15 years, until its demise in 2017. But a new day is here.
In March 2021, the Biden administration announced a goal to install 30 gigawatts of off-shore wind power by 2030. This announcement positioned Salem to become an important port for wind installations in the federally designated areas off the south coast of Massachusetts and north in the Gulf of Maine.
Salem’s Future as a Wind Industry Hub
Salem, with its deep-water Designated Port Area (DPA), a deep federal channel, and an approach to the port that is not marred by any coastal or overhead obstructions is perfectly positioned to play an important and long-lasting role in our region’s renewable energy future. We offer optimal conditions for the wind industry to establish a marshalling area for turbine assembly and/or an operations and maintenance base for wind installations at sea. Similarly, our port is able to support off-shore wind-related industries that could bring good jobs with family supporting wages and career opportunities for advancement. The industry leaders who have their eye on the Salem port have pledged to invest in a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce.
Crowley Wind Services Announces Plans to Operate a Wind Port at Salem Harbor
On September 30, 2021, SAFE’s dreams for an off-shore wind presence in Salem came true. Mayor Kim Driscoll presided at a press conference at which Crowley Wind Services announced plans to procure the 42 acres in our DPA from Footprint Realty and then to lease that land to Commonwealth Wind (a collaboration between Vineyard Wind, Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners). [Read SAFE co-chair Pat Gozemba’s remarks from the press conference.]
Salem Alliance for the Environment 