By MICHAEL HALLISEY
[email protected]

COEYMANS – New York on Friday, October 8, announced the largest offshore wind supply chain contract to support the state’s Sunrise Wind offshore wind project. Ørsted and Eversource, joint development partners of Sunrise Wind, signed an $ 86 million supply chain contract with Riggs Distler & Company, Inc. to build advanced foundation components for wind turbines in the port of Coeymans , bringing construction and steelmaking work to New York-based companies in the Capital District and western New York, and creating 230 family jobs.

The announcement was made by the Lieutenant Governor. Brian Benjamin of the Port of Coeymans and the agreement consolidates New York as a major construction hub for the Sunrise Wind project and positions the port among the first in the country to be mobilized for the construction of advanced foundation components for an offshore wind farm by American workers.

“The development of the offshore wind industry in the United States is a unique opportunity that offers significant economic and environmental benefits to communities across the state,†said Benjamin. “By seizing this moment, we are creating a new skilled workforce, which will be able to compete globally and attract new supply chain companies to support the offshore wind industry. , and in turn boost New York’s green economy. “

It is expected that 115 local union workers will be based at the port of Coeymans to build hundreds of large-scale and specialized components that are fundamental building blocks of the wind farm’s wind turbine foundation. These components, which range in size from 12 to 120 tons each and can reach 40 feet, include internal and external foundation platforms, guardrails, steel ladders, cages and other key parts that fit together. will attach wind turbine generators to the monopile foundations. will be held on.

Ljungström LLC, of ​​Wellsville, Alleghany County, New York, will fabricate the steel components and deliver them to the Port of Coeymans. According to the governor’s office, this will create at least 100 jobs in western New York.

With the execution of this contract, Riggs Distler & Company, Inc, a leading union building solutions company with offices in Mt. Vernon and Saugerties, New York, and Cherry Hill, New Jersey, will serve as the general contractor to build the advanced prefabricated foundation elements at the port of Coeymans.

When complete, the components will be shipped along the Hudson River and to the Sunrise Wind offshore wind farm site, located in federal waters approximately 30 miles east of Montauk Point, NY Riggs Distler is a wholly owned subsidiary. exclusive to Centuri Group, Inc.

Construction at the port of Coeymans will be covered by a project labor agreement. In accordance with the developers’ commitment, Ørsted and Eversource will negotiate a project work agreement with the Building and Construction Trades Council of the Greater Capital Region, covering all construction work carried out at the port in connection with the advanced components by Riggs Distler.

“We are building a national supply chain and establishing a sustainable industry that will be essential to achieving the country’s green energy and economic goals,†said David Hardy, CEO of Ørsted Offshore North America. “We are delivering on our commitment to create thousands of new union jobs in New York City by partnering with regional suppliers and locating Sunrise Wind’s construction center in the Capital Region, which provides access to a workforce qualified and to a reliable port for transit needs. “

Ørsted and Eversource, as part of Sunrise Wind, will also launch a $ 1 million workforce training initiative under the strategic leadership of the Center for Economic Growth.

“This new partnership for the New York Sunrise Wind project will inject $ 86 million into the New York economy, which will directly benefit New York businesses and create quality construction and manufacturing jobs in local communities.” Hochul said.