Cape Breton company moving offshore wind parts
Not only are cruise ships returning to Sydney harbour this spring, but water watchers may have noticed some big boats — in some cases much larger than the cruise liners — coasting through.
Most likely, they were heading for a berth in northend Sydney, from where Provincial Energy Ventures has shipped coal and other supplies to the wider world for more than 20 years.
But this time, they delivered parts for massive offshore windmills.
That’s because Provincial Energy Ventures has newly rebranded as the Atlantic Canada Bulk Terminal, with a focus on marshalling components for offshore wind projects.
The transition from the organization’s coal focus is still a work in progress. But the company’s management says the 110-acre terminal will one day handle more than just offshore windmill equipment.
“It’s a robust terminal and there might be other things we can do in the renewable (energy) world. But this is the first thing and it seems to have the most interest,” said Richard Morykot, the bulk terminal’s vice president of strategic development and execution.
WHERE ARE THE SUPPLIES GOING?
Offshore wind energy components — everything from blades to the monopiles anchoring turbines in the seabed — are huge and expensive. Therefore, they have specific needs to accommodate them from production to installation.
That’s where the bulk terminal comes in, said Morykot. The pier was originally built for use by the Sydney steel plant and for decades welcomed the movement of heavy equipment and products through the half-kilometre-long wharf.
He said there are few options on the North American east coast to store components during the installation and transportation process. But Sydney is one of them.
Right now, most of the terminal’s customers are manufacturers from Europe who move equipment to be installed off the United States coast.
The first components arrived in Sydney in January.
Right now, the terminal has two major wind turbine customers and is in talks with several others. That’s not including partners through ongoing business in other industries such as coal, sand and gravel.
“They’re looking for ports and there are not many ports around that have the attributes of this one, including length, water depth, air draft restrictions, bearing capacity,” said Morykot.
“There’s a whole bunch of checkboxes and the (terminal) seems to check maybe all of them.”
‘A NEW CHAPTER’
Also overseeing the bulk terminal’s emergence is Jimmy Graham, its general manager. He was with Provincial Energy Ventures for more than 20 years before its rebranding.
After overseeing the company’s coal-focused approach for many years, Graham said he’s impressed with how its transition is going so far.
“It’s definitely a change in priorities and how you move. The work changes on the site from how you handle (supplies),” he said. “It’s absolutely a new chapter.”
Morykot and Graham said the pier’s size, ability and history give it an advantage over other harbours in the Maritimes such as Halifax or Saint John.
However, the Port of Argentia in Newfoundland provides similar services.
The Atlantic Canada Bulk Terminal isn’t the only pier in the Sydney area set to marshall offshore wind equipment. Novaporte in Sydport agreed to a deal with Danish company Blue Water Shipping last year to develop a 200-acre terminal. Novaporte has also planned to eventually open a container terminal.
FUTURE OF CAPE BRETON OFFSHORE WIND
Among other projects contributing to green energy on the island — such as the green hydrogen and ammonia projects in Point Tupper — Cape Breton interests have long been deep in offshore wind planning and discussions.
In particular, the Strait area has been looked at as the site of offshore wind farms one day.
A task force has been established to pursue it.
Jennifer Macneil is a member of that task force and the Cape Breton Partnership’s green energy engagement coordinator. She helps lead local efforts to build green energy infrastructure and learn about those industries’ impacts island-wide.
Those considerations include the roles of facilities like the bulk terminal.
“We’re doing our best to amplify voice across the island, whether it’s businesses or individual community members,” Macneil told the Cape Breton Post. She added green investors haven’t only brought money to the area, but have been involved in community-level consultations.
“They’re showing how much they believe their (investments) will work in the way they’re engaging with communities. They’re very present in the that they’re operating in, which is an encouraging thing to see.”
The Partnership has not only been working to promote the local industry but has been holding public consultation sessions — led by Macneil — around Cape Breton to share information about the future of local offshore wind.
Before any turbines can spin in local waters, a regulatory system still needs to be implemented by the province, along with legal amendments. At that point, leases will be awarded to wind developers.
The province hopes to offer them by 2030.
OPPORTUNITY SETS SAIL
But once that happens, Cape Breton Partnership CEO Tyler Mattheis said the benefits and investment stemming from these developments can be tremendous. He had toured offshore wind sites in Denmark to see how they work.
“The existing port facilities surrounding the Port of Sydney are a great asset,” he said. “We saw what these kinds of sites can do and what kind of impact they can have on communities like Esbjerg (Denmark). We’re seeing similarities with some of these great, exciting opportunities.”
The bulk terminal plans to continue networking with offshore wind developers, especially in the U.S. where many projects are underway.
The terminal’s management is well aware of what local economic spinoff could come from it. Morykot said the fact it takes more than 60 people to move a single windmill monopile proves that potential.