Attentive Energy, MEP create ‘Roadmap’ to help manufacturers gain entry to OSW industry

Supplier Qualification Roadmap aims to provide step-by-step instructions for N.J. businesses

It seems like simple math: As the state ramps up the build off offshore wind energy projects, it will need numerous parts – the type of fixtures the tens of thousands of manufacturers in the state are in position to create and distribute.

Unfortunately, making the supply chain work is never simple.

That’s why the N.J. Manufacturing Extension Partnership, in cooperation with Attentive Energy, recently introduced the New Jersey Manufacturing Assessment & Offshore Wind Readiness Gap Analysis at the Manufacturing Day event in Freehold.

About Attentive Energy
Attentive Energy is a local offshore wind company that has been actively developing clean energy across New Jersey and New York since 2018. Attentive is building upon the recently awarded Attentive Energy Two Project, which is designed to help New Jersey meet its nation leading offshore wind targets and will strengthen and expand upon the State’s foundational offshore wind investments. Attentive Energy Two is developing a holistic offshore wind project, that will create economic opportunities statewide reaching all 21 counties

This assessment, a supplement to the briefer Offshore Wind Readiness Gap Analysis, offers a deeper dive into manufacturers’ strengths and gaps and now includes a new feature, the Supplier Qualification Roadmap.

This roadmap promises to provide small- to medium-sized N.J. companies with a detailed view on how they can get involved in the offshore wind sector.

The Roadmap will lay out, step-by-step, how to become an offshore wind supplier and benefit from the growing need for offshore, clean wind energy. The assessment the partners conducted delved deep into the manufacturing capabilities of 18 New Jersey companies that could likely serve the offshore wind market, uncovering capabilities, strengths, personnel training needs, and equipment upgrade requirements.

Key highlights of the assessment included:

• Evaluations of strengths, existing capabilities, connections with the maritime sector, willingness to upskill, grant funding opportunities, and employment opportunities for underserved communities. Gaps and hurdles were also identified including equipment upgrade, OSHA safety training, staffing, and certification needs.

• Findings, including that 66% of the companies surveyed required targeted funding for process or technology upgrades, are especially crucial for small, minority, women, and veteran-owned business enterprises (SMWVBEs) lacking resources. Identified equipment upgrades costs ranged from $40,000 to $150,000, while staff training costs spanned $6,000 $31,000 per worker.

The analysis provided context for actionable recommendations on the part of industry, government, and the economic development community.

The new Roadmap provides information to help N.J. businesses overcome hurdles in business development, grant access, staff training, and procurement with private companies by providing best practices and success stories.

“Our mission with the Roadmap is to showcase the existing strengths of New Jersey’s 1 manufacturing industry and the support networks available for small-to-mid size diverse businesses could use to become a supplier for offshore wind projects,” Christen Wittman, Vice President Project Development for Attentive Energy, said.

“Since the initial release of the gap analysis, our on-the-ground team has been focused on better understanding the experience of the small business owner and their hurdles in business development, grant access, and procurement with private companies. We believe it is important to work proactively to share information and provide support for New Jersey businesses to cover their qualification readiness gaps to be able to take advantage of this huge opportunity.”

NJMEP CEO Peter Connolly said the group was eager to be a part of the initiative.

“We’re proud to partner with Attentive Energy Two on this critical initiative to integrate New Jersey manufacturers into the renewable energy supply chain,” he said. “NJMEP is committed to ensuring that our state’s manufacturers have the resources, training, and connections needed to support the wind energy sector, helping to strengthen both the local economy and our renewable energy future.”

Gail Friedberg Rottenstrich, CEO of ZAGO, said her team is eager to be a part of anything that makes procurement easier.

“ZAGO is fully equipped and prepared to support the growing offshore wind supply chain in New Jersey,” she said. “Our sealing fasteners are currently being used in offshore wind projects in Europe and Canada. We are DFARS, REACH, RoHS and ISO 9001 compliant.

“As a small, certified WBE (Woman Business Enterprise) with a strong foundation in advanced manufacturing and a commitment to innovation, we are positioned to contribute to the development and production of key components for offshore wind projects.

Leveraging our expertise in automation, lean practices, and high-reliability manufacturing, we are ready to collaborate with industry partners to meet the demands of this emerging sector and play a critical role in driving New Jersey’s clean energy goals forward.”