MHI Vestas Tackles North American Offshore Market

Jason Folsom is the first official hire in the US market. He joins MHI Vestas after having spent 10 years leading the U.S. offshore wind operations for Siemens Gamesa.

On joining MHI Vestas, he said, “I have been watching with great interest how MHI Vestas has approached the US market. I feel the company has been very strategic in their approach to the market. No doubt they have a great product for the market and are extremely committed to developing a US footprint once they have visibility on the project side, and that really appealed to me. I think the company is just the tonic for advancing the offshore wind industry in the US.”

The announcement follows the news of the U.S. offshore wind market reaching commercial scale by appointing MHI Vestas as supplier for Vineyard Wind, the 800 MW project off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

“We are pleased to announce the selection of MHI Vestas Offshore Wind as preferred supplier for the United States’ first utility-scale wind farm,” said Lars Pedersen, CEO of Vineyard Wind. “MHI Vestas shares Massachusetts’ strategic commitment to affordable offshore wind power and sustainable energy solutions that will benefit future generations. By driving down the cost of energy through reliable wind turbine technology, MHI Vestas is the perfect partner for our company and the Commonwealth.”

The 800 MW offshore wind project, scheduled for installation in 2021, is large enough to serve as a catalyst for the build-up of a local supply chain in the region. Once the turbine supply order is confirmed, MHI Vestas will begin the process of local hiring and supply chain investment to support the project as it nears the construction phase.