The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), Crowley Wind Services, and the city of Salem have announced the transfer of ownership and plans for the proposed Salem Offshore Wind Terminal.
The transfer agreement includes MassCEC’s purchase of 42 acres on Salem Harbor and a 5-acre parcel transfer to the city including the port’s existing deep-water berth.
The proposed terminal site, previously an oil and coal-fired power plant closed in 2014, will serve as a logistics and operations center for turbine pre-assembly, transportation, staging activities, and storage of assembly components and serve as the second port specifically constructed to support offshore wind farm construction in Massachusetts.
The Salem Offshore Wind Terminal is also one of the few sites that will facilitate the construction and installation of floating offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine.
“We are excited to continue advancing the opportunity for clean, renewable offshore wind energy for Massachusetts and beyond through this dynamic public-private partnership,” said Bob Karl, senior vice president and general manager of Crowley Wind Services.
“And we appreciate the leadership and support from Maine’s Healey-Driscoll administration and the legislature in making our next steps a reality, as well as the ongoing collaborations with the city of Salem and its residents to create economic investment and jobs at a world-class marshalling port for offshore wind.”
Crowley acquired the property in 2022, to oversee site redevelopment and improvements and operate the terminal. The City of Salem has leased the berth and its acreage to further support the effort. Construction is set to begin later this year with the terminal slated to open in 2026.
MassCEC also owns and operates the New Bedford Wind Commerce Center, Massachusetts’ first dedicated offshore wind port. Vineyard Wind currently leases that facility and announced the state’s first offshore wind power delivery in January.
The purchase and redevelopment of the Salem Offshore Wind Terminal site aligns with the state’s goal of producing electric energy with net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
“Harnessing the power of the harbor has always been key to Salem’s success,” said Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey. “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.”