Environment and Energy
Wind Energy Breathing New Life into Sparrows Point
Written by Tim Triplett
August 5, 2021
An offshore wind developer plans to breathe new life into Sparrows Point, former home to Bethlehem Steel, with ambitious plans for electricity-generating wind farms off the coast of Maryland.
Through a long-term lease agreement with Tradepoint Atlantic, the 3,300-acre multimodal logistics and industrial center that encompasses the former mill site, US Wind is investing $77 million to develop 90 waterfront acres into a new wind deployment hub. Now under way is its first major project, a 22-turbine wind farm known as MarWin. Also on the drawing board, pending permits and approvals, is the Momentum Wind project, which would develop up to an additional 1,200 MW of offshore wind energy.
The Momentum Wind proposal includes a new fabrication plant to be known as Sparrows Point Steel, Maryland’s first manufacturing facility dedicated to the creation of offshore wind foundations known as monopiles.
“Because of the successes we’ve achieved in the development of MarWin, US Wind is ready to offer Maryland its most ambitious clean energy project to date and, with it, the state’s first permanent offshore wind steel fabrication facility,” said Jeff Grybowski, US Wind CEO. “Developing Momentum Wind and Sparrows Point Steel at full capacity will give Maryland the opportunity to bring steel back to Baltimore and become the epicenter of offshore wind manufacturing.”
At full capacity, Momentum Wind would include up to 82 turbines and would be able to fully satisfy the state’s offshore wind energy goals.
“The combination of expanding offshore wind and welcoming steel back to Sparrows Point is truly a full-circle moment for Tradepoint Atlantic,” said Managing Director Kerry Doyle. “As Marylanders, we should be very proud – offshore wind is here, and steel is back.”
Sparrows Point Steel has the potential to be one of the largest offshore wind staging ports in the United States, its supporters claim. With significant marshaling and storage land, considerable quayside access, and an adjacent drydock, Sparrows Point Steel would be capable of staging and delivering several wind components, such as nacelles, towers and blades, as well as foundations.
The investment in Sparrows Point Steel will also create 500 permanent full-time manufacturing jobs. An agreement with the United Steelworkers to support the operations at Sparrows Point Steel has special historical relevance to both United Steelworkers and the greater Baltimore community. Bethlehem Steel, founded in the 1880s, was once among the largest mills in the country, employing some 30,000 workers. It filed for bankruptcy in 2001. “Sparrows Point has always been hallowed ground for me and my fellow Steelworkers,” said Jim Strong, Assistant to the Director, United Steelworkers. “We’re thrilled to be a part of US Wind’s visionary plans to bring steel back to Baltimore.”
Tim Triplett
Read more from Tim TriplettLatest in Environment and Energy
GSCC introduces label for new emissions target
The Global Steel Climate Council (GSCC) has taken a step forward in standardizing the decarbonization process with the publishing of its labeling for a certified science-based emissions target.
DOE set to measure GHG intensity of industrial products, including steel
The US Department of Energy (DOE) is launching a pilot project to measure the greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity of certain energy-intensive industrial products, including steel.
Final thoughts
Whether it’s the twists and turns of the presidential election, the U.S. Steel deal, or just what’s happening with the movement of steel pricing, there has been no shortage of stories for us to cover.
Price on trade: Evaluating potential approaches to emissions policy and border measures
The only way to achieve net zero goals worldwide is to significantly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of the global steel industry. And emissions standards can play a key role in encouraging (or discouraging) steel decarbonization. In that spirit, earlier this year, the Biden administration established a climate and trade task force, aimed at a promoting “a global trading system that slashes pollution, creates a fair and level playing field, protects against carbon dumping, {and} supports good manufacturing jobs and economic opportunity.” These are ambitious and laudable goals. Across sectors, the United States has a significant carbon advantage over many of its economic competitors. This is certainly true in the steel industry, where American manufacturers are among the lowest emitting in the world. In other words, when it comes to steel, climate-focused trade policy can go hand-in-hand with US competitiveness.
CRU Insight: Decarbonization will reshape global steel trade flow
This CRU Insight explores how decarbonization will play a significant role in redefining steel trade patterns by shifting regional competitiveness and increasing steel demand needs.