America’s offshore wind leader Ørsted is significantly expanding its U.S. co-headquarters in Rhode Island, including announcing its new U.S. Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) Hub in the Ocean State.
Ørsted, which has maintained its co-HQ in Rhode Island for more than six years, will move from its longtime Exchange Terrace location to a larger, 17,470-square foot location at 500 Exchange Street in the heart of downtown Providence, where it expects to more than double its headcount in the state in the years ahead.
As part of its more than $20 billion investment into American energy, Ørsted has invested more than $1.5 billion in Rhode Island as it expands its Northeast portfolio of offshore wind projects. The company employs nearly 100 Rhode Island-based employees, including at its regional Operations and Maintenance Hub in Quonset Business Park, in North Kingstown, R.I.
Ørsted’s expanded co-HQ in Providence is expected to open this winter, and will be home to the company’s existing workers in the area as well as new, full-time EPC employees and other positions to be hired in the near future.
Ørsted is proud to be Rhode Island’s longtime offshore wind leader. Ørsted operates the Block Island Wind Farm, America’s first offshore wind farm. Offshore construction is underway now on Revolution Wind, the state’s first utility-scale offshore wind farm. Revolution Wind is directly creating roughly 1,200 jobs across Rhode Island and Connecticut.
Ørsted’s investments in Rhode Island have catalyzed the state’s blue economy, which now features a thriving industry cluster at CIC Providence, assembly and operations hubs across the state, and a base for America’s first offshore wind Service Operations Vessel.
Ørsted’s investments in Rhode Island include $100 million to create an offshore wind manufacturing hub at ProvPort; a nearly $2 million investment supporting improvements to Quonset State Airport; and the creation of the state’s first Global Wind Organisation (GWO) certification program at the Community College of Rhode Island.
“Ørsted’s commitment to growing its presence here in the capital city further underscores Providence’s status as a national leader in the blue economy,” said Mayor Brett P. Smiley. “My Administration is deeply committed to building a more sustainable, resilient city and Ørsted’s new Engineering, Procurement and Construction Hub is an exciting step in cementing Providence as a center for the clean energy sector.”
"Nearly a decade ago, Ørsted helped us build a new American industry right here in Rhode Island. Now, as offshore wind continues to grow, we're thrilled that this model corporate citizen is doubling down on the Ocean State," said Laurie White, President of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce. "By choosing Providence for their U.S. Engineering, Procurement and Construction Hub, Ørsted is once again ensuring our state remains at the center of America's clean energy revolution - and the thousands of jobs that come with it."
"Ørsted is exactly the type of employer we love to have in Providence – a leader in a cutting-edge industry with a growing footprint, a commitment to local hiring, and a track record of investing in, and supporting, our community," said David Salvatore, Executive Director of the Providence Foundation. "We're so excited to see them expanding their presence in our Capital City and look forward to our continued partnership in the years ahead."
Ørsted is proposing a new Rhode Island offshore wind project, Starboard Wind, which would deliver clean and reliable offshore wind energy at stable and affordable pricing for Rhode Island homeowners and businesses for decades. If selected, Starboard Wind would result in more than $1.1 billion of direct, private investment and expenditure in Rhode Island, which would come on top of Ørsted’s existing investments and commitments in the state.
