Ocean Wind and EEW Announce Signing of Project Labor Agreement, Beginning Construction of Monopile Manufacturing Facility at the Port of Paulsboro

In December 2020, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced a $250 million investment into a new monopile manufacturing facility located at the Paulsboro Marine Terminal. Today, Ocean Wind and EEW are proud to announce groundbreaking at the EEW monopile manufacturing facility at the Port of Paulsboro Marine Terminal in Gloucester County. The start of construction marks a significant milestone in delivering the largest industrial offshore wind manufacturing facility in the U.S. to date.

Construction of the facility will be completed under a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) with the South Jersey Building Trades Council, ensuring that jobs created during the construction phase will be filled by local New Jersey union tradesmen and women who will use the highest level of industry standards. Construction activities include clearing and grading of the 70-acre site, reinforcement to increase quayside bearing capacity to accommodate the 2,500-ton monopiles, and the construction of two large buildings that will support circumferential welding, sandblasting, and painting. In effort to deliver the most economic benefits to the State, EEW has contracted with more than 30 New Jersey companies in support of design, permitting, site work and concrete.

Once complete, the state-of-the-art facility will manufacture monopiles to supply the 1,100 MW Ocean Wind farm off the coast of southern New Jersey. EEW’s facility will create as many as 260 jobs during the first phase of construction and manufacturing. The facility is a key asset for the State, and in addition to supplying Ocean Wind, will serve the rapidly progressing U.S. offshore wind industry for years to come.

“Positioning New Jersey as a national leader in the offshore wind industry and developing our offshore wind capabilities have been key priorities of my Administration since day one,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “As the largest industrial offshore wind investment in the United States to date, the Paulsboro Marine Terminal will be a significant driving force for the state’s economy and create hundreds of good-paying, union jobs to South Jersey. Offshore wind is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, and today’s groundbreaking signals a monumental step forward in propelling New Jersey’s clean energy economy for generations to come.”

“This major investment shows that America’s clean energy future is being built right here in South Jersey, and the new EEW wind turbine manufacturing site will power our economy by building the clean technology that will power our homes and businesses,” said Congressman Donald Norcross. “The need to transition to a clean energy economy is more important than ever before, and I applaud Governor Murphy, EEW, Ørsted and Holt for recognizing that and taking action. This project will generate hundreds of union construction jobs, and I look forward to seeing the great work of our local building trades members.”

“With the cooperation and support from Ørsted and the State of New Jersey, EEW is proud to be the first major offshore wind manufacturing company to break ground in the United States.  This state-of-the-art factory will exemplify how offshore wind will create long-term manufacturing jobs while supporting clean energy goals. EEW has full confidence in the New Jersey Trade Council that this first phase of the factory will be constructed safely, on-time and on-budget with local union labor,” said Lee Laurendeau, CEO of EEW-American Offshore Structures.

“This is an important step for our Ocean Wind project and the State of New Jersey,” said David Hardy, CEO of Ørsted Offshore North America. “We’ve been able to adhere to our commitment to the state of New Jersey, and in the process are helping to make the State the quintessential supply chain hub of the American offshore wind industry.”

“PSEG is excited about this important next step in the development of New Jersey’s growing offshore wind industry,” said Lathrop Craig, PSEG Vice President, Offshore Wind Development. “The monopile manufacturing facility at the Paulsboro Marine Terminal will help advance the state’s offshore wind supply chain and is an important step in building the green economy, creating jobs and further supporting Gov. Murphy’s goal of developing 7,500 MW offshore wind by 2035.”

“The South Jersey Building Trades Council is proud to partner with Ørsted and EEW and offer the high-quality and efficient construction work performed by our affiliates, as well as to provide training opportunities through apprenticeships,” said Dan Cosner, President of the South Jersey Building Trades Council & IBEW Local 351 Business Manager

“These agreements result in higher quality of work and safer working conditions—they also ensure projects are completed on time and on budget,” said Senate President Steve Sweeney. “PLAs enable managers to control costs and ensure that safety standards are maintained. They’re good for workers and the community, supporting projects that create jobs and generate long-term economic growth. We look forward to the benefits of this project and we’re pleased to have partners like Ørsted and EEW who understand the value that PLAs present.”

“With this agreement, we begin writing the next chapter in the continuing story of our enduring partnership and success together. We look forward to the continued labor-management cooperation with our partners at Ørsted and EEW,” said Ray Pocino, Vice President and Eastern Regional Manager of Laborers International Union of North America.

“Ensuring that EEW's monopile facility will be completed by union labor means that the job will not only be done correctly, but it will be done safely. Our members have advocated tirelessly for several years to advance the offshore wind industry and their hard work and dedication has been recognized today. Our members are looking forward to getting to work on this project, and future opportunities,” said Bill Sproule, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters.