Ørsted and Eversource sign first-ever U.S. offshore wind helicopter contract

Credit: Lloyd Horgan - HeliService USA

Ørsted and Eversource have awarded HeliService USA a contract for helicopter crew change operations for the two companies’ joint venture wind projects in the Northeast United States.

The contract is the first helicopter contract to support the United States offshore wind industry and the two companies say it will create jobs and economic development in both helicopter assembly and future operations.

The Leonardo AW169 helicopters that will be used are powered by two Pratt and Whitney PW210 series engines and are capable of crew transport as well as utilizing a hoist system to lift wind technicians to and from the top of wind turbines. The aircraft will support crew transfer and hoisting at the South Fork Wind, Revolution Wind and Sunrise Wind offshore wind farms during construction. They will be assembled on the Leonardo Helicopters assembly line in Philadelphia, Pa.

“HeliService USA is proud to having been awarded the Ørsted and Eversource offshore helicopter contract to support the offshore wind installations and operations on the U.S. East Coast. With that, HeliService USA is the first helicopter offshore operator who is establishing itself on the U.S. East Coast.”