Ørsted Announces $4 Million in Grants to Connecticut Universities to Support Environmental Research

HARTFORD, CONN. – August 20, 2024 – Ørsted, New England’s leader in offshore wind energy, today announced that it has committed $4 million to support cutting-edge environmental research at the University of Connecticut Avery Point and Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) as part of its proposed Starboard Wind project. This funding underscores Ørsted's commitment to advancing clean energy and fostering academic research and education in Connecticut. If Starboard Wind is selected to move forward in Connecticut, Ørsted will provide the following:

• $2.5 million to UConn Avery Point to establish an interdisciplinary environmental research program that will study the relationship between offshore wind farms and ocean habitats. Led by the University's Department of Marine Sciences, the program will also include evaluation of offshore wind workforce development by social science researchers.

• $1.5 million to SCSU to study biodiversity, climate resilience, and offshore wind. Research will include monitoring biodiversity at offshore turbine, substation, and cable route locations, and potential solutions for shoreline protection infrastructure that promote both biodiversity and community resilience. These funds would also be used to support workforce development initiatives for students who wish to seek employment in the offshore wind industry.

“In supporting these leading academic institutions, we are aiming to advance critical scientific research that is done in-state and will help guide the sustainable expansion of offshore wind energy,” said David Ortiz, Ørsted’s Director of External Affairs, Northeast. “Scientific inquiry and environmental stewardship are central to the clean energy transition, and we look forward to continuing working with our local academic partners to strengthen the foundations of Connecticut’s offshore wind industry and workforce.”

Ørsted’s proposed 1,184-megawatt (MW) Starboard Wind project would deliver clean and reliable offshore wind power to Connecticut at stable and predictable pricing for decades. If selected, Starboard Wind would bring nearly $420 million of direct investment and expenditure to Connecticut, driving in-state and regional job creation while bolstering the State Pier’s key role in the U.S. offshore wind supply chain. The project would result in more than 800 full-time equivalent positions, many of which would be based at the New London State Pier.

“This initiative will not only enhance the academic experiences of our students by involving them in groundbreaking research but also promote public engagement through education on ocean literacy and wind energy,” said Dr. Annemarie Siefert, Campus Dean and Chief Administrative Officer at UConn Avery Point. “We are excited to lead this effort and contribute to a more sustainable future.”

“This funding will significantly advance SCSU’s research into the intersections of biodiversity, offshore wind, and climate resilience,” said Suzanne Huminski, Associate Director of Sustainability at SCSU. “This collaboration will not only enhance our research capabilities but also provide invaluable opportunities for our students to develop the skills needed for careers of tomorrow. We are deeply committed to fostering an environment where our students can thrive and develop the skills necessary for impactful careers in sustainability and clean energy. We are thrilled to partner with Ørsted on these groundbreaking initiatives.”

Offshore construction is currently underway for the 704 MW Revolution Wind project, a joint venture between Ørsted and Eversource. Revolution Wind will deliver 304 MW of clean, affordable offshore wind power to Connecticut and another 400 MW to Rhode Island, powering more than 350,000 New England homes.

As part of Revolution Wind, Ørsted and its partners have already: 

• Invested more than $100 million in infrastructure improvements to redevelop the New London State Pier, turning the pier into a regional offshore wind turbine staging and assembly hub and creating more than 400 local union jobs.
• Created more than 50 local union jobs for turbine staging and assembly at the State Pier for South Fork Wind, the country’s first commercial-scale offshore wind farm. Additional jobs will be created as Revolution Wind progresses.
• Invested more than $5 million for in-state education, research, and workforce development initiatives, partnering with the Mystic Aquarium, Project Oceanology, UConn Avery Point, and more.

Additional information about Ørsted and Starboard Wind can be found at us.orsted.com/starboard-wind.


About Ørsted 
A global clean energy leader, Ørsted develops, constructs, and operates offshore and land-based wind farms, solar farms, energy storage facilities, and bioenergy plants. Ørsted was the first energy company in the world to have its science-based net-zero emissions target validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and is recognized as the world’s most sustainable energy company in the Corporate Knights Global 100 index.

In the United States, the company has a portfolio of clean energy assets and partnerships that includes offshore wind energy, land-based wind energy, solar, battery storage and e-fuels. Ørsted is a U.S. leader in offshore wind energy with approximately 3 gigawatts in development and operates America’s first offshore wind farm, located off the coast of Block Island. Ørsted has a total U.S. land-based capacity of 5 gigawatts across wind, solar, storage technologies and e-fuels. To learn more about the Ørsted U.S. business, visit us.orsted.com or follow the company on Twitter (@OrstedUS), Instagram, and Facebook.

About UConn Avery Point
Situated on 82 acres of land and bordered on three sides by water, UConn's Avery Point location fits well with its marine and maritime mission as a sea grant institution. UConn Avery Point contributes to the understanding – and solution – of problems relating to the intersection of oceans and people, both through the expertise of the faculty and the education of its students who will help ensure sustainable uses of marine resources and coastal regions and cities. To learn more, visit https://averypoint.uconn.edu/.

About Southern Connecticut State University
Southern Connecticut State University, or “Southern,” is a public university located in New Haven, serving approximately 8,600 undergraduate and graduate students with affordable, accessible programs in the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Education, Health and Human Services, and the School of Business. The campus community is unique in its support for first generation and transfer students, and for its highly diverse student body. Because the majority of Southern’s students grew up in Connecticut’s towns and cities and then remain in-state after graduation, Southern plays a key role educating and training the State’s workforce. Southern’s Werth Center for Coastal and Marine Studies, Innovation Hub, Sustainability Office and the CSCU-SCSU Center for Nanotechnology all have longstanding commitments to research with a systems approach to environmental protection, and to providing students with access to opportunities through mentorship and collaborative interdisciplinary partnerships. To learn more, visit https://www.southernct.edu/.


Media Contact 
Abe Silk
860-930-9091
abe@intersectps.com