Denmark and Maryland Enter Offshore Wind Cooperation

The State of Maryland, USA, has signed an agreement with Denmark, according to which Danish expert knowledge in offshore wind industry will be made available to the State of Maryland, as it plans to build an offshore wind farm off the US East Coast.

Several US states are planning to take advantage of the good wind resources off US coasts but so far none of the projects have materialized to mature wind farms contributing to the US power grid. This is partly due to uncertainty on tender conditions and operation that have prompted most investors to stay away.

The fulcrum of the cooperation will be issues related to regulating and managing the risks associated with Maryland’s tender for establishing an offshore wind farm of 200 MW, about 20 km off the coast from the popular tourist destination Ocean City. The implementing regulation for the offshore wind farm must be prepared by next summer and it is expected that other US coastal states with plans to exploit the wind resource could benefit from the experiences generated through the cooperation between Denmark and Maryland.

“Wind resources off US coasts are estimated at more than 4,000 GW, so there is a huge potential to reduce US emissions if this energy is utilized. Denmark has experience with the whole process when it comes to establishing and operating offshore wind farms. We wish to share that knowledge with the energy regulators in Maryland. At the same time, we can help to give President Obama’s climate plan is a small but important push in the right direction ,” says Minister for Climate, Energy and Building Martin Lidegaard.

“In Maryland, our better choices have led to better results that will benefit the economy and the health of future generations,” said Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley. “Taking action on offshore wind positions our State for greater job creation and opportunity, while moving us forward toward a more sustainable energy future. By forging international partnerships to advance this promising clean energy technology we strengthen our economy and competitiveness while ensuring the sustainability of our people and our planet.”

Denmark has unique expertises when it comes to offering, building and operating offshore wind farms. Its companies are among the world leaders in wind energy. Minister Lidegaard expressed hope that Danish companies will utilize these strengths and seek new opportunities in the US market.

[mappress]

Press release, November 13, 2013; Image: siemens