Suffolk County’s Offshore Wind Boom Creates New Career Opportunities, Attracting Workers to Long Island’s Growing Green Energy Hub

Suffolk County is experiencing a transformative economic shift as the offshore wind industry establishes deep roots along Long Island’s coast. With New York’s commitment to develop 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind energy expected to create more than 10,000 wind energy jobs, and major projects like Sunrise Wind bringing $700 million of investment to Suffolk County while creating 800 direct jobs and thousands of indirect jobs, the region has become a magnet for workers seeking stable, well-paying careers in clean energy.

Major Wind Projects Drive Job Growth

Long Island is leading New York State in offshore wind development, with several major projects completed or underway, including South Fork Wind (132-megawatt farm that began operation in December 2023), Sunrise Wind (924-megawatt farm that began construction in July), and Empire Wind 1 (proposed 816-megawatt farm). A new Operations and Maintenance hub will make Suffolk County an epicenter for training the East Coast’s growing offshore wind talent, positioning the region as a long-term employment destination.

The industry offers diverse career opportunities spanning “electricians, laborers, carpenters, equipment operators, traffic management, safety expertise, engineers, construction managers — the entire gamut of the construction industry”, along with specialized roles like offshore wind technicians and vessel crews. Careers in offshore wind typically pay well, come with good benefits, and give you solid job security.

Training and Education Infrastructure

Suffolk County has invested heavily in workforce development to support this growing industry. The National Offshore Wind Training Center in Suffolk County represents a new model of partnership between industry, labor and academia, in collaboration with the Long Island Federation of Labor, the Nassau & Suffolk Building and Construction, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Utility Workers Union of America, and Suffolk County Community College.

The National Offshore Wind Training Center will be constructing a state-of-the-art training facility in Brentwood (350 Crooked Hill Road) for classroom and lab instruction operated by Maersk Training, with interim training available at the Suffolk County Community College Grant Campus in Brentwood. Suffolk County Community College, in partnership with the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County, hosts workshops aimed at introducing attendees to the exciting and diverse job opportunities available in the rapidly growing offshore wind industry.

Economic Benefits for Local Communities

Brookhaven will receive over $5 million annually beginning in 2025 — totaling over $168 million over 25 years, with 2,200 permanent jobs expected for the manufacturing and operations of wind farms. As Nassau-Suffolk Building Trades Council President Matty Aracich noted, “We want to make sure that we create the opportunity for people to live, work, play and stay here”.

Major supply chain investments include a record $200 million offshore wind supply chain award to Long Island-based contractor Haugland Energy Group LLC, which will create more than 400 jobs for New York union workers to install the underground duct bank system for Sunrise Wind’s onshore transmission line in Brookhaven.

Meeting the Moving Needs of New Residents

As Suffolk County’s offshore wind industry continues to attract new residents and workers to the region, the demand for reliable moving services has grown significantly. Families relocating for career opportunities in this booming sector need trusted partners to help them transition smoothly to their new coastal communities.

For those considering a move to Suffolk County to take advantage of these emerging opportunities, working with experienced Moving Companies Suffolk County can ensure a seamless relocation process. Avatar Relocation of NY Inc. is a high-quality full-service and specialized moving, storage, transportation, logistics, specialized packing and warehousing service provider located in Yaphank, Long Island, New York 11980, and is a trustworthy award-winning Long Island mover & Long Island storage company.

Avatar Relocation serves the Hamptons, Southampton, Sag Harbor, East Hampton, Bridgehampton, Westhampton and NYC, with staff comprised of professional moving managers and move service coordinators experienced packers, and some of the most highly qualified moving drivers that Long Island, NY, has to offer. Over the past 24 years, Avatar Relocation has earned 54 Atlas Van Lines quality awards, including the coveted Atlas Van Lines World-Class Commitment Quality Focus Award, and subscribes to the Atlas Van Lines World-Class Commitment to quality.

Looking Ahead to 2025 and Beyond

Offshore wind is a fast-growing industry in New York, making a career in offshore wind a really smart path for job seekers who want to set themselves up for a rewarding, stable, and successful future. Workers don’t need a degree to work in wind energy and can get free training (or even get paid for training time!) to learn new skills.

As Suffolk County solidifies its position as the East Coast’s offshore wind hub, the region offers unprecedented opportunities for career growth and community development. With major projects coming online and extensive training programs available, 2025 represents a pivotal year for professionals looking to establish themselves in this dynamic and environmentally crucial industry. The combination of stable employment, competitive wages, and the opportunity to contribute to clean energy makes Suffolk County an increasingly attractive destination for workers nationwide.