PROVIDENCE – Global offshore wind manufacturer Nexans S.A. has become the newest member of an offshore wind cluster that's taken shape at the CIC Providence over the past four years.
Nexans, a Paris-based manufacturer of subsea export cables, officially opened its Providence office on Thursday, which will serve as its headquarters for work throughout New England.
Though the Rhode Island office space is new for Nexans, the company isn't wading into uncharted waters in the Ocean State: In 2022, Nexans signed a deal with Orsted A/S and Eversource Energy to supply underwater cables for the Revolution Wind solar farm project, located about 17 miles off Point Judith.
Likewise, the CIC Providence has become well-accustomed to clientele in the offshore wind industry: Since spring 2020, when Orsted set up a U.S. offshore wind office on the Cambridge-based CIC's Providence innovation campus, an informal hub of more than 30 offshore wind companies have flocked to the location.
This growth has continued even as the U.S. offshore wind industry contends against headwinds, which have made their mark locally: Yesterday, Orsted announced in its quarterly results statement that it would push Revolution Wind's startup date from 2025 to 2026, citing a construction delay.
But the offshore wind giant expressed confidence in its overall finances, reporting an increase in earnings related to its offshore wind farms, and expectations that these earnings will continue to rise. Additionally, Reuters reported, Orsted CEO Mads Nipper attributed the Revolution Wind construction delay to contamination at an onshore transformer station, rather than supply chain issues.
Upon completion, Revolution Wind is set to provide 704 megawatts of renewable energy to Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut.
From its Providence office, Nexans will continue work on this project.
“We are thrilled to officially open this new office and join Rhode Island’s deep, diverse offshore wind supply chain ecosystem,” said Christopher Minardi, Director of Communications North America for Nexans.
“This space will serve as a critical operations hub as we continue in our commitment to grow our portfolio here in Rhode Island and across the New England region," Minardi continued.
Nexans has around 28,000 employees worldwide, spread across 42 countries.
The Providence location currently serves a "project office" for two marine engineers working on the Revolution Wind project, Minardi said, but Nexans senior leadership will also use it "as a home base for the project."
Rotations of about six people at a time will work out of the office when landfall and near shore work commences, he added.
Jacquelyn Voghel is a PBN staff writer. You may reach her at Voghel@PBN.com.
