The Business Network for Offshore Wind launched Direct Connect, a proprietary new platform that enables companies to find location-specific supply chain vendors.
Direct Connect is designed to be a tool for the offshore wind industry to help developers find local suppliers, which enables them to meet project-specific requirements. The Network also has entered into a partnership with Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind (Atlantic Shores) to use the proprietary platform, giving them access to hundreds of New Jersey-based suppliers for the construction of its offshore wind project.
Direct Connect is a unique tool that provides users with information on nearly 2,000 companies interested in and able to supply goods and services to the U.S. offshore wind industry. Subscribers can create unique searches for companies by the type of services or products they provide, location, even the types of certifications a business maintains. Direct Connect is a mechanism for companies to identify potential business partners down to the zip code, ensuring use of local content in offshore wind projects, which is important to project developers, policy makers, and local communities.
“Offshore wind presents a once in a generation opportunity to build a new industry in the United States that will confront climate change and generate billions of dollars in revenues for local companies participating in the supply chain,” said Liz Burdock, president of the Offshore Wind Network, the largest nonprofit organization dedicated solely to growing the offshore wind industry in the U.S. “Supply Chain Connect presents an opportunity for New Jersey-based companies to raise their hands, show their interest in and capabilities for offshore wind projects to those making billion dollar decisions. This new and unique tool really comes to life through partnerships with offshore wind developers, which is why we are excited about our work with Atlantic Shores.”
The offshore wind business opportunities are expanding rapidly and are anticipated to exceed $100 billion in capital expenditures for windfarm development and construction alone. The Network has identified $3.5 billion in public and private investment in manufacturing and port infrastructure. To facilitate this growth, the Network developed Direct Connect out of its Supply Chain Connect (SCC) registry, a national offshore wind supply chain registry that allows companies to indicate their abilities, components, and services for U.S. offshore wind projects. This database is synced to the New Jersey Offshore Wind Supply Chain Registry and fuels the detailed search capabilities of Direct Connect, which allows companies to create their own searches and even create their own capability fields.
Atlantic Shores, a 50:50 partnership between Shell New Energies US LLC and EDF Renewables North America, is currently developing a 183,353-acre lease area on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Currently in the site assessment and data collection phase, Atlantic Shores is seeking further New Jersey-based suppliers for its project and will use the Network’s Direct Connect platform to identify and keep record of the interest and capabilities of local suppliers. Atlantic Shores recently submitted various project bids for a wind farm located 10-20 miles off the southern coast of New Jersey, which would provide up to 2,300 MW of renewable energy and power the equivalent more than 1 million homes.
“Direct Connect will be a vital tool as we move forward to further localize our supply chain in New Jersey. Our goal is to provide affordable, clean energy and build the local economy in the process,” said Joris Veldhoven, Commercial and Finance Director for Atlantic Shores. “This platform will foster connections and further develop the U.S. supply chain – an important part of growing the emerging offshore wind industry in New Jersey.”
